Bible Stories for Adults

Jesus Heals a Canaanite's Daughter

Matthew 15:21-28

Next Week - Jesus Talks with a Rich Young Man (Mark 10:17-31)
Bible Words to Remember:
And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask Me for anything in My name, and I will do it. John 14:13-14

What miracles did Jesus perform about a year before He died?
John 6:10-13, 16, 19
How did the crowd feel about Jesus after being fed with 2 fish and 5 loaves?
John 6:14-15
How did Jesus feel about the Jews recognizing Him as the Messiah?
John 6:24-27

How did the Jews respond to Jesus' clarification of His purpose and being?
John 6:32-35, 40-42
How did the Jews react as Jesus further explained that we must feed on Him, the Word of God?
John 6:52, 60-61, 64-66
Did these Jews just ignore Jesus from this point on?
John 7:1

Was Jesus able to avoid problems from devout Jews from Judea by staying in Galilee?
Matthew 15:1-2
How did Jesus point out that these Jews were trying to cause trouble rather than keep the Law?
Matthew 15:3, 7-9
How did Jesus then make sure the crowd understood God's desire for cleanliness?
Matthew 15:10-11

Did the apostles understand what Jesus had said?
Matthew 15:15
How did Jesus feel about His apostles being slow to learn this close to the end of His ministry?
Matthew 15:16
What did Jesus mean by His "parable"?
Matthew 15:17-20

What became a key focus of Jesus' ministry as He neared its end?
Mark 9:30-32
What happened whenever Jesus tried to find a place to be with just His apostles?
Matthew 14:13-14, 34-36
Where did Jesus finally find a place where the Jewish crowds wouldn't follow?
Matthew 15:21

This is the only time when Jesus ever left Jewish territory
Tyre & Sidon were cities of Phoenicia, which was a part of Syria (Libo-Phoenicia was in N Africa)
Tyre was 40 miles NW of Capernaum, Sidon was 60 miles N of Capernaum
Tyre means The Rock - 2 great rocks offshore joined by a 3000 ft long ridge - natural harbor
Rocks gave defense, Tyre had a famous fortress, taken by Alexander the Great in 332BC
Solomon got craftsmen and cedar logs from Tyre to build palace & temple (1K 7&9)
Tyre & Sidon sailors were first to navigate by the stars - Could sail across Med, even at night
Other ships hugged coastline during the day, anchored at night
Tyre & Sidon were independent & rival city-states - ruled 15-20 mile radius
Each had their own kings, their own coinage and their own gods
Pagan, idolatrous, sacrificed infants to dedicate buildings

Besides finding a quiet place, why would Jesus take His apostles to Tyre/Sidon at this time?
Ezra 6:21
What did the Jews understand about this region of Tyre and Sidon?
Joshua 19:24, 28-29a
What command had the Israelites been given before they were sent into the promised land?
Deuteronomy 20:16-18
Why were Canaanites still living in the region of Tyre and Sidon?
Judges 1:31-32 (2:1-3)
How did Jews relate to these Canaanite neighbors?
Joshua 23:7

How hidden was Jesus able to keep Himself and his disciples for this time of teaching?
Mark 7:24-26a
How could this Gentile woman have known about Jesus?
Mark 3:8
Why did this woman come looking so hard for Jesus?
Mark 7:26b
What kinds of problems could this woman have had with her possessed daughter?
Mark 9:17-18
Mark 5:2-5

How did Jesus reply to this woman's cries?
Matthew 15:22-23a
Why didn't Jesus just simply turn around and grant the woman's request?
Matthew 9:1-2
Why did Jesus need to see her faith?
Matthew 13:58
What power did Jesus credit whenever He healed someone?
Matthew 9:22
Luther:
Christ drives her faith (so) deep into her heart that it becomes strong and firm. Is this the gracious and friendly Lord? He is silent as a stone.

How did the apostles respond to this woman's pleas?
Matthew 15:23b
How did Jesus seem to further close the door on this woman's request?
Matthew 15:24
Was Jesus really sent to the Jews rather than the entire world?
Matthew 10:5-6

Does this mean that God is God of the Jews only?
Romans 3:29-30
So why did Jesus say He came for the Jews?
Romans 1:16
Being sent to the Jews first, how did they receive Him?
John 1:11
Who did receive Him?
John 1:12-13

Why was Jesus sent to the Jews first?
Romans 15:8-9
How early had God told the Jews they would be the path of His grace to Gentiles?
Genesis 12:1-3
I will bless you ... you will be a blessing ... and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.
How did Gentiles become blessed by the promise to Abraham when Jesus died and rose?
Galatians 3:7-9

After Jesus' reply, did she accept her position as woman & Canaanite and leave Jesus alone?
Matthew 15:25
Why would this woman be so persistent?
Ephesians 2:12-13
How are we able to persevere and persist even when things look hopeless as for this woman?
Hebrews 11:26-28

How did Jesus reply to the woman's plea?
Matthew 15:26
Who were the children that Jesus referred to?
Romans 8:16
Who were the dogs?
Philippians 3:2
The word Jesus used for dog referred to pet lap-dogs, not scavenging street dogs

How did the woman reply to Jesus' explanation of why He shouldn't help her?
Matthew 15:27
People ate with their hands, wiped their hands on bread and threw it to the dogs
What was the woman saying about her understanding of how the Messiah could save her?
John 4:22

How did Jesus respond after the woman showed she was seeking Him out of faith?
Matthew 15:28
What one other person did Jesus commend for having great faith?
Matthew 8:5-13
How does God deal with those who know Him and trust in Him?
Psalm 9:10
What does Jesus promise to those who know and have faith in Him?
John 14:13-14