The Power of Persevering Faith (7:24–30)

I. Jesus was trying to gain some time away from the crowds (vv. 24-25)

24 From there He arose and went to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And He entered a house and wanted no one to know it, but He could not be hidden. 25 For a woman whose young daughter had an unclean spirit heard about Him, and she came and fell at His feet.

A. Jesus went to a Gentile region in the hope that leaving Israel would give him a break.

Mark did not indicate how far Jesus went into the territory of Tyre, whether he entered that or any other city, or the purpose of his journey. We do know that Jesus went there not to minister publicly to the people but to secure privacy, previously interrupted

The purpose could have also been to instruct the disciples or to plan his future course of action in view of his rejection by many of his own people. That is why He did not want anyone to know He was there. But He could not conceal His presence since news of His healing power had preceded Him.

B. An unnamed woman, came immediately and fell at His feet.

Jesus came to this area so that He might have some privacy, but a concerned mother discovered He was there and came to Him for help. There were many obstacles in her way. To begin with, her nationality was against her: she was a Gentile and Jesus was a Jew.

Note that this encounter of Jesus with the Syrophoenician woman came on the heels of a major conflict with the religious leaders about ceremonial uncleanness. Jews normally did not have any contact with Gentiles because this made them ceremonially “unclean” according to Jewish tradition. Jesus showed by example that “it’s what’s in the heart” that matters. He showed the absurdity of the tradition of the elders by making contact with this Gentile woman.

II. A Gentile woman sought Jesus. (v. 26)

26 The woman was a Greek, a Syro-Phoenician by birth, and she kept asking Him to cast the demon out of her daughter.

A. Mark shows not just cultural but the gender boundaries that existed between Jesus and the woman.

Men dominated women during this time. Also, a rabbi (teacher) was not supposed to have any direct contact with a woman.

We are not told that this particular woman was a widow, but as no husband is mentioned, it is likely. So it would be fitting that a widow should receive help from a God who cares specially for widows and orphans.

B. It was not an easy situation.

By nationality she was a Syrophoenician. Yet, the desperate need of her daughter and her radical faith in God’s goodness caused her to humble herself before Jesus and risk crossing all the barriers.

III. Jesus was not being sarcastic or uncaring. (vv. 27-30)

27 But Jesus said to her, “Let the children be filled first, for it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” 28 And she answered and said to Him, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs under the table eat from the children’s crumbs.” 29 Then He said to her, “For this saying go your way; the demon has gone out of your daughter.” 30 And when she had come to her house, she found the demon gone out, and her daughter lying on the bed.

A. Jesus’ mission centered on the “lost house of Israel.”

Jesus implied that there was a place for the Gentiles. It just was not then. Their turn would come later. The reference to dogs was not to scavengers on the street but to the little dogs that wait eagerly under the table of their master for the scraps and crumbs to fall from the table. The children of the household indicated the privileged position of Israel in hearing the gospel, and the “little dogs” indicated the less privileged position of the Gentiles.

The Greek woman who imposed herself on Jesus is the only person in the Gospel who spoke Jesus’ language. She could speak to him in parables. She replied, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs. This shows her persevering faith and her belief in God’s goodness. The barriers of race, culture, and gender are surface issues. The real need is true healing on the inside, and only the gospel can cross these barriers to bring such healing.

B. This woman’s faith must have pleased and surprised Jesus.

He not only saw her quick thinking ability but her great faith as well. Jesus responded with compassion. It is significant that the Gospels refer twice to people of “great faith”—this woman and the Roman centurion in Matthew 8:5–13. Both these people were Gentiles. In both instances, Jesus healed at a distance. Jesus will test our faith, just like he did with this woman, but he will reward our faith when we persevere in the process.

This woman dared to believe that Jesus could deliver her daughter. Great faith is faith that takes God at His Word and will not let go until God meets the need. Great faith can lay hold of even the slightest encouragement and turn it into a fulfilled promise. “Lord, increase our faith.”