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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 15:25

Verse 25 25.And she came and worshipped him. We might be apt to think that this woman contends with some measure of obstinacy, as if she would extort something from Christ in spite of him; but there is no reason to doubt that she was animated by the conviction which she entertained as to the kindness of the Messiah. When Christ expressly declared that it did not belong to his office, she was not intimidated by that refusal, and did not desist from her purpose. The reason was, that she adhered... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 15:26

Verse 26 26.It is not seemly. Christ’s reply is harsher than ever, and one would think that he intended by it to cut off all hope; for not only does he declare that all the grace which he has received from the Father belongs to the Jews, and must be bestowed on them, otherwise they will be defrauded of their just rights; but he disdainfully compares the woman herself to a dog, thus implying that she is unworthy of being a partaker of his grace. To make the meaning plain to us, it must be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 15:21-28

Healing of the daughter of the Canaanitish woman. ( Mark 7:24-30 .) read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 15:21-28

Departure from the Holy Land. I. THE JOURNEY NORTHWARDS . 1 . The Lord leaves Galilee. He had been teaching there long, perhaps for two years. At first there had been a time of dazzling popularity. The strange dignity of his personality, the Divine authority of his words, the singular originality of his teaching, the pure holiness of his perfect life, his many deeds of love and mercy and power, had drawn multitudes around him. The world was going after him, the Pharisees said;... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 15:21-28

The triumph of a mother's love. Jesus was beyond the borders of Palestine, on heathen soil. He had not extended his travels in order to carry his ministry to the heathen; but he was in retirement. He had left Galilee because the Galilaeans were in a restless state—many of them perplexed by his teaching and turning from him, and also because the official teachers were seriously impeding his work. After this our Lord never resumed his old open ministry by the seashore and on the hillside. Yet... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 15:21-28

The Syro-Phoenician woman. The peculiarity of the incident here related is not the cure wrought, but the refusal with which the mother's petition was at first met. It did not need a sympathy such as our Lord's to urge him to dismiss this foul intrusion into the innocent and happy days of childhood; it did not need his hatred of evil to urge him to rebuke the Satanic malice, which could exult in attacking, not the aged sinner, but the pure child who knew nothing of the sources of disease and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 15:21-28

Great faith. So the faith of the Syro-Phoenician woman is described by the Lord. The elements of that great faith are evident in the narrative. I. GREAT FAITH IS CLEAR SIGHTED . 1 . In the discernment of evil. 2 . In the discernment of the cure. II. GREAT FAITH IS HUMBLE . 1 . In conduct. 2 . In temper. III. GREAT FAITH IS EARNEST . 1 . It will not miss an opportunity. 2 . Its heart is in its cause. IV. GREAT ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 15:24

I am ( was ) not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel . Doubtless the woman had listened to the apostles' intercession, and thought her cause won; but the repulse is only repeated; this Gentile is beyond the sphere of his mission; he cannot help her without departing from the rule which he had set himself. Jesus says nothing here about the rejection of the Jews and the future ingathering of the Gentiles; he states merely that his personal mission while he was on earth... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 15:25

Came she and worshipped him. Meantime, as we learn from St. Mark, Jesus had left the street and entered into a house. The woman, nothing daunted by her rebuff and the disregard with which her appeal was received, followed him persistently, and, growing bolder in her importunity, fell as a suppliant at his feet. While he still seemed to repulse her, she was learning fresh faith and hope. Lord, help me. She does not now call him "Son of David." She begins to feel that she has little claim... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 15:25

Importunity and quick wittedness. Importunity: "Lord, help me. " Quick wittedness: "Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table." The strangeness of our Lord's dealing with this woman has often been pointed out. But the story needs to be read in the light of the fact that our Lord's supreme work was work in character. In doing anything for the bodies of men our Lord really worked for their souls, and tried to make his healing bear a gracious... read more

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