Mark 7_24_30 exegesis

Mark 7:24-30 (Syropheonian Lady Exegesis)

Intro: Olympic gold medalist Darrel Pace was to give an archery exhibition in New York City’s Central Park, and the event received coverage by all the news stations. Shooting steel-tipped hunting arrows, Pace punctured bull’s-eyes without a miss. Then he called for a volunteer. “All you have to do,” said Pace, “Is hold this apple in your hand, waist-high.” ABC correspondent Josh Howell took a bold step forward. He stood there, a small apple in his hand, a larger one in his throat. Pace took aim from 30 yards away as we all held our breath. Then THWACK-a clean hit that exploded the apple before striking the target behind. Everybody applauded Howell, who was all smiles—until his cameraman approached with a hangdog look. “I’m sorry, Josh,” he said. “I didn’t get it. Had a problem with my viewfinder. Could you do it again?”

This text is a story of great faith from an unlikely person a Syrian Phoenician Lady and great faithfulness from the Faithful Lord. This text stands in contrast against the Pharisees of 7:1-13 who hand hard unbelieving hearts and the disciples who were dull to understand.

CPS: This lady had great faith, it was full of reverence, humility, and perseverance and Jesus responded to her in great faithfulness. He will do the same for you and I.

This scene from the Greek Drama portrayed in Mark takes place on the heels of Jesus’ attempt to teach the Jewish religious leaders that outward piety doesn’t matter, what matters is the condition of one’s heart. In Chapter 7:1-23 we see that the Jews were followers of tradition and there tradition became a religion that was in direct opposition to God’s intent and purposes. They had placed their “fences” around the Law esteeming them as greater than the commands of God. This led to vain worship and defilement. Yet in this scene and justly so, the Jewish leaders accuse Jesus and His disciples of not following their law as they were seen eating without ceremonially washing their hands. The ceremony of hand washing was most likely to rid defilement in case one came in contact with a gentile or while in the market place came in contact with something (food) that had come in contact with a gentile.

Jesus’ teaching was to instruct them that defilement came from sin within and not from outward contact and that no manner of scrubbing could cleanse the heart, what they needed was the new birth that Jesus told Nicodimus of in John 3:3. Once Jesus was done with His teaching session he left Galilee (Capernaum) and went into Tyre for rest, (most likely the outskirts between Tyre and Sidon). Tyre was to the North of Galilee along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea in what is current day Lebanon. During this time period Tyre was considered part of Syria and under Roman rule like most of known world at that time. Tyre was a commercial powerhouse; there was great wealth due to it lying on the commercial trade routes. It was also a center of religious idolatry and sexual immorality, the Prophets Isaiah (23:1-18), Jeremiah (25:22, 27:1-11), Ezekiel (26:1-28:19), Joel (3:4-8), and Amos (1:9-10) prophesized judgment upon Tyre. Yet, Jesus left Jewish territory t enter into this heathen land.

It seems that Jesus leaving Galilee has to do with needed rest, everywhere Jesus went people sought Him. Mark alludes to this in verse 24 as he writes, “He had entered a house, He wanted no one to know of it.” But His attempt to go unnoticed fails as a lady with a demon possessed child implores Jesus for help.

It is important to note the contrast between the Jewish religious leaders, with their traditions, vain worship, and sin hardened hearts while compared to the Syrphenician lady who displays reverence, humility, and great persevering faith. The contrast is also made between the disciples who were slow to understand and this Gentile lady with great faith who recognized Him as Lord though she had not seen His miraculous works, but simply heard of them. Mark proves Jesus’ teachings true about heart matters with the least likely of examples giving hope to his Roman audience that Jesus is Lord of both Jews and Gentiles. Outward appearances are useless inward faith is what matters!

The Faith of a gentile woman (24-28)

As Jesus enters Tyre, most likely for rest, His plans are spoiled by a Gentile lady whose daughter is possessed by a violent demon (Matt. 15:22) , she comes to Jesus because only He can bring about her deliverance.

Though faith is not used in this text, it is certainly implied as she came falling at Jesus’ feet and continually asking for His help. This lady is a lest likely yet extraordinary example faith. Matthews (15:28) account records Jesus as saying “great is your faith.”

The Bible teaches that faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (Heb. 11:1) This lady did not have the privilege of seeing Jesus work wonders as the disciples and Pharisees had yet she had heard of His mighty works (3:8) and that was enough for this gentile lady.

It was reverent faith

Matthew’s account reads, the lady came and bowed down (NASB) or Worshiped (KJV) Jesus. This is the Greek verb proskyneō, meaning to prostrate oneself before, kneel down before as an act of reverence. Mark’s account reads, the lady came and fell at His feet. The Greek verb prospiptō is used, it means to prostrate oneself before, fall down before in reverence or fear. Reverence means deep respect, to be in awe of someone. Have you ever had reverence of someone?

ILL: My Grandfather, Tony Falotico is man whom I revered, after all he “bit the head off of nails and would spit at you.” He also held the pen of authority in his front shirt pocket, his recliner was his throne and everyone referred to him as Mr. Falotico. I often stood in awe of him. If we revere men how much more should we revere the God Man!

This lady fell at Jesus’ feet out of deep regard and fear of the Lord. She had had heard of all that Jesus had done and believed on Him as Lord showing Him the reverence He deserves!

In Mark’s Gospel we see often see people bowing or falling down at the feet of Jesus, Mark 3:11 those with unclean spirits fell down (prospiptō ) at Jesus’ feet, Mark 5:6 records a demoniac who bows (proskyneō) before Jesus and in 5:22 a leader of a synagogue fell (piptō) at Jesus’ feet. A suffering lady who had been hemorrhaging for 12 years fell down (prospiptō) before Jesus and now this Syropheonician lady, this is more than a coincidence there seems to be a theme running through this Gospel, perhaps Mark is conveying the Idea of Philippians 2:10 that the day is coming, “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth.

ILL: A number of years ago some prominent political leaders were assembled in a hotel in London. They were having a great discussion of who some of the greatest men the world was. One man said “gentlemen, what do you think we would do if Alexander the Great were to enter into this room?” One man said “we would stand and salute him as the greatest military general whoever lived.” Another man said, “what would we do if William Shakespeare were to enter into this room?” One man said “we would give him a standing ovation and declare him the greatest writer of all time.” One man said “what would we do if Jesus Christ walked into this room?” One man stood up and said “we would all fall on our faces and worship Him.”

Perhaps today we need to follow the example of the Syrian Phoenician Lady, moved by faith fall at the feet of Jesus in reverence of Him!

It was Humble Faith

This ladies faith was great, it proved reverence for Jesus, but as she feel down she showed great humility before Him. By deliberately falling down she showed no regards to herself. Humility means to have a humble view of one’s importance. The act of falling down is an act of humility but her humility is seen further as Jesus engages with her in conversation.

She asked for Jesus’ help yet His response seems unfavorable and demeaning. He says “Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it unto the dogs. He refers to Israel at the Children and to the Gentiles as a dog. Here careful word study is important.

The Greek verb chortazomai (filled) is used, it means to eat one’s fill or to be satisfied. The Greek adverb prōton is used, it means before. He is telling her that His ministry was for the Jew first. This is not a statement of rejection or denial but I believe a test. This is not an uncommon theme in Scripture. Paul states this in Romans 1:16, and His ministry proves this truth as he always went to the Jew first.

Jews often referred to Gentiles as dogs, they have a very low view of people who are not of Jewish descent. But Jesus uses the Greek noun kynarion, it means house dog instead of a scavenger dog of the streets. Her response is most remarkable, she does argue or take offense but she calls Him “Lord”( kyrios). Kyrios means master over all! This is the only use of kyrios while reffering to Jesus in this Gospel and it is made not by a Jewish disciple or a Jewish Religious leader but by a Gentile woman.

She picks up on Jesus word play realizing that the little house dogs were loved by their masters and they often gave them little scraps of bread purposely dropped for them to eat.

ILL: We have a little brown dog, his name is Fonzie, and at every meal Hope gives him a morsel or two from her plate, we love fonzie and he loves those morsels.

This lady is saying, master though I want all of you I’ll take whatever crumb you can throw my way because even the smallest crumb from you is and will always be enough.

She had great faith, it was revenant and humble, she saw herself for who she was... undeserving and saw Jesus for Who He is the loving Lord.

It was Persistent Faith

This lady’s faith was great and it overcame every obstacle that stood in her way. This is an example of enduring faith one that isn’t shaken.

This lady had many obstacles in her way. 1st her nationality was against her, Jesus was a Jew and she a Gentile. Jews had nothing to do with Gentiles and this is strongly portrayed in the washing of hands in 7:1-13. 2nd her gender stood in the way, in antiquity female were of less value they lived in a society dominated by men. 3rd the disciples stood against her. Matthews account (15:23) states the 12 disciples were imploring (urging/begging) Jesus to send her away so that they may have some rest. *For a time it looks as though even Jesus is against her. This was a difficult situation yet her faith persevered!

Mark tells us that she Kept Asking, this is the Greek verb erōtaō, it means make a request. But notice it is in the imperfect tense, meaning she continually asked Him to cast the demon out of her daughter.

The Bible says we have not because we ask not. This lady could never be accused of not asking and instead of being dismayed her faith endured. None of these obstacles stopped her from making her plea and the barriers came tumbling down.

Persistent faith is faith that overcomes. Her faith was great, it was full of reverence, humility, and perseverance. We can learn much from the lady.

The faithfulness of the Lord (29-30)

The Lord tested this lady’s faith and it was found to be genuine and great. Though we have looked deeply at the actions of this lady we must understand that the emphasis is on Jesus. Jesus is the master of all, Sovereign Savior, Creator, and Sustainer of all. This lady’s faith was great but no amount of faith can compare to Jesus’s faithfulness.

After listening to the lady’s pleas and observing her great faith, He simply says “Go, the demon has gone out of your daughter.” Matthew’s account records, “’it shall be done for you as you wish’ and her daughter was healed at once.”

This is not the first time Mark records Jesus casting out demons yet it’s the only time He records Jesus doing it from afar. Jesus didn’t have to go to the girl or put His hand upon the girl, or even speak directly to the demon it simply made it leave her. When the lady returned home she found Jesus was true to His word. Jesus is ever true to His word. He always does as He says He will do. He promised the lady that her daughter was delivered and He has promised us by Grace through faith that we will be delivered and as certain as I am standing here He has delivered us into the hands of Father and we will safely arrive on the far side bank of Jordan.

Jesus faithfulness endures forever and His faithfulness is abundant and He is able to do much more than we can think or ask, and when the lady returned home she found her daughter laid upon the bed. This demon that once threw her into fits and harm is now gone and Jesus has given her rest! He had come for rest and didn’t find it but the little girl found rest at the command of Jesus and the worried mother found rest in Jesus through faith proving that Jesus is the faithful servant of God who did not esteem His oneself but offered Himself a ransom for the world.

Conclusion: In this remarkable periscope of faith and faithfulness Mark’s Gentile audience in Rome saw Hope even during their difficult circumstances. Mark under inspiration tells them that Jesus is Lord and Savior of all, that they are included into Jesus’ redemption and though many obstacles stood in their way, as Nero plunged the Christian into heavy persecution they were to faithfully endure because Jesus is faithful to save.