Mark 7:24-30

The clamor of the crowds, on the one hand, and the antipathy of the Pharisees, on the other, led Jesus to withdraw again from Galilee. This time he went into Phoenicia, which was Gentile territory, the people being descendants of the Canaanites. The two most significant cities in Phoenicia were Tyre and Sidon.

Once again, Jesus's presence soon became noised about and, in due time, a Syrophenician woman came calling him to heal her daughter of an unclean spirit. Jesus's immediate response tot he woman raised a great deal of discussion. Did he mean to rebuke her? Was there any possibility that her feelings were hurt by the blunt words, First let the children eat all they want, he told her, for it is not right to take the children's brad and toss it to their dogs (Mark 7:27)

We may explain that Jesus was simply quoting a well-known saying of that day and that, by the tone of his voice and the look in his eyes, the woman recognized the words to be spoken good-humoredly. This interpretation is borne out by the fact that she, rather adroitly, answered him with another current proverb and with equally good humor, as she replied, Yes, Lord, but even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs (Mark 7:28)

Perhaps an even better explanation is that, here again, Jesus was primarily interested in training the twelve, who at that very moment stood around him. He knew that what he first said exactly expressed the point of veiw that they, as Jews, had held throught he years. As he spoke the words, they possibly nodded their assent as if to say, That is just the way we see it.

Then, by his miracle of healing at the Gentile woman's request, Jesus went on to show the disciples that from now on, it would not be so. While he, himself, was sent primarily to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matthew 15:24), the ministry of his message would at last be givent o peoples of every race and nation. This incident, therefore, was in a very real sense an indication of the world mission of the gospel.

Jesus went on to say to the Gentile woman, For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter (Mark 7:29)