Matthew 15:21-28Matthew 15:21-28

An ExegesisAn Exegesisbyby

Peter Percy (with Paul Burgess)Peter Percy (with Paul Burgess)

February 2009 February 2009

Mat. 15:21-28 Mat. 15:21-28 The TEXT TEXT

Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “ Lord Son of David have mercy on to him, crying out, “ Lord Son of David have mercy on me. My daughter is suffering terribly from demon me. My daughter is suffering terribly from demon possession.” Jesus did not answer a word, so his possession.” Jesus did not answer a word, so his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us. He answered, “I was for she keeps crying out after us. He answered, “I was sent only to the last sheep of Israel.” The woman came sent only to the last sheep of Israel.” The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me,” she said. He and knelt before him. “Lord, help me,” she said. He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.” “Yes, Lord,” she said, “but even the toss it to their dogs.” “Yes, Lord,” she said, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith. Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith. Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed form that very hour.form that very hour.

The UNITS of THOUGHT UNITS of THOUGHT Leaving that place, Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him,A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him,crying out, “ Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me. crying out, “ Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me. My daughter is suffering terribly from demon possession.” My daughter is suffering terribly from demon possession.” Jesus did not answer a word, Jesus did not answer a word, so his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, so his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us. for she keeps crying out after us. He answered, “I was sent only to the last sheep of Israel.” He answered, “I was sent only to the last sheep of Israel.” The woman came and knelt before him. The woman came and knelt before him. ““Lord, help me,” she said. Lord, help me,” she said. He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.” and toss it to their dogs.” ““Yes, Lord,” she said, Yes, Lord,” she said, ““but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith. Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith. Your request is granted.” Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed form that very hour.And her daughter was healed form that very hour.

The STRUCTURE STRUCTURE Leaving that place, Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from that vicinity A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him,came to him, crying out, “ Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me. crying out, “ Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me. My daughter is suffering terribly My daughter is suffering terribly from demon possession.” from demon possession.” Jesus did not answer a word, Jesus did not answer a word, so his disciples came to him so his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” for she keeps crying out after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the last sheep of Israel.” He answered, “I was sent only to the last sheep of Israel.” The woman came and knelt before him. The woman came and knelt before him. she said. “Lord, help me,”she said. “Lord, help me,”He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.” and toss it to their dogs.” she said, “Yes, Lord,”she said, “Yes, Lord,” “ “but even the dogs eat the crumbs but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” that fall from their master’s table.” Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith. Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith. Your request is granted.” Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed form that very hour.And her daughter was healed form that very hour.

The CONTENT CONTENT

Rudyard Kipling wrote:Rudyard Kipling wrote:

I keep six honest serving-menI keep six honest serving-men

(They taught me all I knew);(They taught me all I knew);

Their names are Their names are WhatWhat and and WhyWhy and and WhenWhen

And And HowHow and and WhereWhere and and WhoWho. .

(( - - The Elephant’s Child)The Elephant’s Child)

(Rudyard Kipling was a Lahore Newspaper journalist, (Rudyard Kipling was a Lahore Newspaper journalist, as well as a writer of stories, in the days of the British as well as a writer of stories, in the days of the British Raj)Raj)

The CONTENT CONTENT

This involves noting This involves noting (with colours or other markings):(with colours or other markings): WHOWHO is involved (persons) is involved (persons) WHATWHAT is happening (verbs) is happening (verbs) WHATWHAT else is mentioned (things and ideas) else is mentioned (things and ideas) WHEREWHERE the action is taking place and the action is taking place and WHEN WHEN andand WHYWHY and and HOWHOW

These ‘six honest serving-men’ These ‘six honest serving-men’

can help us become more aware of can help us become more aware of

significant detailssignificant details

Content Analysis:Content Analysis: Who is doing what, when, where, how, why?Who is doing what, when, where, how, why? LeavingLeaving that place, that place, LocationLocation (WHERE) (WHERE)JesusJesus withdrewwithdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. to the region of Tyre and Sidon. Participants Participants (WHO) (WHO)A Canaanite womanA Canaanite woman from that from that vicinityvicinity (WHO)(WHO) came to him,came to him, cryingcrying out, “ Lord, Son of out, “ Lord, Son of David David, , have mercyhave mercy on me. on me. My daughterMy daughter is is sufferingsuffering terribly terribly (WHO - HOW)(WHO - HOW) from from demon possession.”demon possession.” Jesus Jesus did not answerdid not answer a word, a word, ReactionReactionso so his discipleshis disciples came to him came to him (WHO)(WHO) and and urgedurged him, “ him, “Send her awaySend her away, , ReactionReaction for she for she keeps crying outkeeps crying out after us.” after us.” (WHY)(WHY)…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

He answered, “I was sent only to He answered, “I was sent only to the last sheep of the last sheep of IsraelIsrael.”.” ReactionReaction (WHO)(WHO)The woman came and The woman came and kneltknelt before him. before him. ReactionReaction she said. “Lord, she said. “Lord, helphelp me,” me,”He replied, “It is not right to He replied, “It is not right to taketake the children’s breadthe children’s bread Reaction (WHAT)Reaction (WHAT) and and tosstoss it to it to their dogstheir dogs.” .” AnalogyAnalogyshe said, “Yes, Lord,” she said, “Yes, Lord,” ReactionReaction “ “but even the dogs but even the dogs eateat the crumbsthe crumbs that that fallfall from from their master’s tabletheir master’s table.” .” Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faithgreat faith.. ReactionReaction ((WHYWHY)) Your requestYour request is is grantedgranted.” .” (WHAT)(WHAT)And her daughter was And her daughter was healedhealed from that very hour. from that very hour. Result (WHEN)Result (WHEN)

The TOPICS TOPICS

LeavingLeaving that place, that place, LocationLocation – Gentile – Gentile areaarea JesusJesus withdrewwithdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite womanA Canaanite woman from that from that vicinityvicinity

came to him, came to him, Messiah Messiah languagelanguage cryingcrying out, “ out, “LordLord, Son of, Son of David David, , have mercyhave mercy on me. on me.

A great A great needneed My daughterMy daughter is is sufferingsuffering terribly terribly from from demon possession.”demon possession.”

Jesus’ strange Jesus’ strange Reaction Reaction – ignoring her– ignoring her Jesus Jesus did not answerdid not answer a word, a word,

Disciples’ Disciples’ self-centredself-centred Reaction Reactionso so his discipleshis disciples came to him came to him and and urgedurged him, “ him, “Send her awaySend her away, , for she for she keeps crying outkeeps crying out after us.” after us.”

The TOPICS TOPICS (cont.)(cont.)

Jesus’ 2Jesus’ 2ndnd strange strange ReactionReaction He answered, “I was sent only to He answered, “I was sent only to the last sheep of the last sheep of IsraelIsrael.”.”

The Woman’sThe Woman’s perseverance perseveranceThe woman came and The woman came and kneltknelt before him. she said. “Lord, before him. she said. “Lord, helphelp me,” me,”

J’s impolite J’s impolite analogy analogy takes moral high groundtakes moral high groundHe replied, “It is not right to He replied, “It is not right to taketake the children’s breadthe children’s bread and and tosstoss it to it to their dogstheir dogs.” she said, “Yes, Lord,” .” she said, “Yes, Lord,”

The Woman’sThe Woman’s perseverance perseverance “ “but even the dogs but even the dogs eateat the crumbsthe crumbs that that fallfall from from their master’s tabletheir master’s table.” .”

Jesus’ Jesus’ insight: insight: the woman’sthe woman’s faith faithThen Jesus answered, “Woman, you have Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faithgreat faith..

Jesus’ positive Jesus’ positive responseresponse Your requestYour request is is grantedgranted.” .”

The desired The desired ResultResultAnd her daughter was And her daughter was healedhealed from that very hour. from that very hour.

The Over-All SUBJECT Over-All SUBJECT

With so many themes present

finding the over-all subject

might seem difficult.

Ask yourself: Does the pasage have any dominating theme? Where does the emphasis fall?

The Over-All SUBJECT Over-All SUBJECT SuggestionsSuggestions Rating

Perseverance?Perseverance? ** ** Faith?Faith? * * Faith of an outsider?Faith of an outsider? ** ** Genuine faith?Genuine faith? ** ** Testing genuine faith?Testing genuine faith? **** **** Persevering faith?Persevering faith? *** *** Faith rewarded?Faith rewarded? * *

The Over-All SubjectThe Over-All Subject

TestingTesting

genuine faithgenuine faith

Teaching on O/A Subject: Teaching on O/A Subject: Testing genuine faithTesting genuine faith

LeavingLeaving that place, that place, JesusJesus withdrewwithdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. to the region of Tyre and Sidon.

* Genuine faith is not * Genuine faith is not limitedlimited to ”God’s people” to ”God’s people” A Canaanite womanA Canaanite woman from that from that vicinityvicinity came to him,came to him,

** Outsiders Outsiders cancan recognise Jesus recognise Jesus cryingcrying out, “ out, “LordLord, Son of, Son of David David, , have mercyhave mercy on me. on me.

** & & bringbring their their needsneeds to Him to Him My daughterMy daughter is is sufferingsuffering terribly terribly from from demon possession.”demon possession.”

* Jesus tests * Jesus tests genuinegenuine faith faith Jesus Jesus did not answerdid not answer a word, a word,

Teaching on O/A Subject: Teaching on O/A Subject: Testing genuine faithTesting genuine faith (cont)(cont)

* Jesus’ followers don’t always * Jesus’ followers don’t always encourageencourage outsiders outsiders so so his discipleshis disciples came to him came to him and and urgedurged him, “ him, “Send her awaySend her away, , for she for she keeps crying outkeeps crying out after us.” after us.”

He answered, “I was sent only to He answered, “I was sent only to the last sheep of the last sheep of IsraelIsrael.”.”

* Genuine faith* Genuine faith perseveres perseveres The woman came and The woman came and kneltknelt before him. before him.

she said. “Lord, she said. “Lord, helphelp me,” me,”

* Genuine faith must be ready for hard * Genuine faith must be ready for hard knocksknocks He replied, “It is not right to He replied, “It is not right to taketake the children’s breadthe children’s bread and and tosstoss it to it to their dogstheir dogs.” .”

* Genuine faith * Genuine faith cancan argue with God argue with God she said, “Yes, Lord,” she said, “Yes, Lord,” but even the dogs but even the dogs eateat the crumbsthe crumbs that that fallfall from from their master’s tabletheir master’s table.” .”

Teaching on O/A Subject: Teaching on O/A Subject: TTesting genuine faithesting genuine faith (cont)(cont)

* God recognises * God recognises greatgreat (genuine) (genuine) faithfaith Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith.great faith.

* Genuine faith gets its * Genuine faith gets its rewardreward in the end in the end Your requestYour request is is grantedgranted.” .” And her daughter was And her daughter was healedhealed from that very hour. from that very hour.

The Main Lessons The Main Lessons of the passageof the passage

Outsiders with needs can have genuine Outsiders with needs can have genuine faith in Jesusfaith in Jesus

Professions of faith must be tested, not Professions of faith must be tested, not dismisseddismissed

Genuine faith will overcome difficultiesGenuine faith will overcome difficulties Genuine faith perseveres until God Genuine faith perseveres until God

meets the needmeets the need

The Heart-beat The Heart-beat (core message) of the passage(core message) of the passage

– two suggestions:– two suggestions:

A.

(O/A subject: Testing genuine faith)

TestTest outsiders; outsiders;

don’t just don’t just dismissdismiss them! them!

The Heart-beat The Heart-beat (core message) of the passage (core message) of the passage

– two suggestions:– two suggestions:

B.B. (O/A subject: Persevering faith)(O/A subject: Persevering faith)

True faith in Jesus True faith in Jesus

never quits!never quits!

The Canaanite woman The Canaanite woman

never gave up never gave up

– – neither should we!neither should we!

Exegesis………..ExpositionExegesis………..Exposition

Here the EXEGESIS of the text ends Here the EXEGESIS of the text ends

andand The Exposition of its message begins:The Exposition of its message begins:

Working back from the Working back from the heart-beatheart-beat to the to the teachingteaching of the passage about its of the passage about its over-allover-all themetheme, this teaching is arranged in an order , this teaching is arranged in an order that will meet the requirements of the that will meet the requirements of the sermon:sermon: FaithfulnessFaithfulness to the message of the passage to the message of the passage ClarityClarity of concept of concept RelevanceRelevance to the congregation’s experience to the congregation’s experience

The EndThe End