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Explanation for:
Matthew
15
:
22
And behold a woman of Canaan who came out of those coasts, crying out, said to him: Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David: my daughter is grieviously troubled by the devil.
11
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"The Canaanite woman steps beyond her previous limitations, urgently seeking healing for her daughter with fervent pleas. Observe the miraculous healing bestowed upon her daughter, which marks the fifteenth instance of divine intervention. Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! By recognizing Him as the Son of David, she has transcended her boundaries, abandoning the misguided beliefs of the Tyrians and Sidonians. My daughter is severely afflicted. In reference to the Canaanite woman’s daughter, I signify the souls of those faithful who are tormented by the evil one, unaware of their Creator and honoring mere stones as deities."},{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"How truly deserving was the woman in need of grace! She hesitated to approach Jerusalem, overcome by fear and a sense of unworthiness; had she felt otherwise, her zeal would have propelled her there as evidenced by her willingness to venture beyond her own homeland. Some interpret this allegorically, suggesting that after Christ departed from Judea, the Church—having ventured beyond its confines—was emboldened to seek Him, in line with the Scripture which states, “Forget thy people and thy father's house” (Psalms 44:11). Christ stepped beyond the limits of His homeland, just as the woman stepped outside her own, permitting their meeting. The evangelist remarks, “And behold, the woman of Canaan,” indicating her status to highlight the miracle and to further exalt her. Truly, when considering the Canaanite woman, think of that wayward people who distorted the very essence of natural law; and grasp the significance of Christ's arrival. Those who had been cast out to prevent the corruption of the Jews now exhibit greater fervor than the Jews themselves. They emerge from their own lands to approach Christ, while the Jews persist in their persecution of Him who was sent to them. When the woman approached Jesus, her plea was simple: “Have mercy on me,” and her heartfelt cry drew the attention of many. It was a poignant moment to witness the woman in distress, a mother pleading for her daughter, who was enduring such severe suffering. She did not bring the afflicted girl before the Master, leaving her at home in her condition; instead, she earnestly implored Him, stating merely the nature of the illness without embellishment. Unlike the nobleman who requested, “Come, lay Thy hand upon her” (Matthew 9:18) or the royal official who urged, “Come before my son dies” (John 4:49), she simply expressed her anguish about her daughter's grave ailment and turned to the Lord's mercy, calling out with a loud voice, “Have mercy on me!” It was as if she were conveying, my daughter is unaware of her affliction, yet I am tormented in countless ways; I am unwell, I feel the weight of my suffering, and I bear this truth.\\n\\nYet to illustrate the point that many find greater success in having their desires fulfilled through their personal prayers rather than through the intercessions of others, we should highlight examples of those who have received such honor. These narratives can also inspire us to strive and compete in faith. Listen to how the Canaanite woman, an outsider, experienced profound distress of spirit; upon seeing the Healer of souls and the Sun of righteousness illuminating the darkness, she approached Him with fervent zeal. Neither her gender nor her status as a foreigner deterred her; she surmounted all opposition, drawing near and proclaiming, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, for my daughter is grievously possessed by a demon.”"},{"author-name":"Hilarius of Poitiers","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88cb92f12b3278598f946_Hilarius%20of%20Poitiers.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"To grasp the underlying motivation of the Canaanite woman and to clarify the events that unfolded, we must examine the significance of her speech. There exists a profound belief in a community of converts within Israel who have turned away from idolatry to adhere to the commandments of the law. These individuals abandoned their previous lifestyles and committed themselves to the practices of a foreign and oppressive legalism as if it were their own faith. The Canaanites once populated what is now known as Judah. Whether consumed by conflict, dispersed into surrounding areas, or carried off as captives, they maintained their identity but lacked a homeland. This group mingled with the Jewish people, yet they traced their lineage to Gentiles. Given that some in the crowds of believers were indeed converts, it is quite likely that this Canaanite woman chose to identify with them—transitioning from being a Gentile to aligning herself with a neighboring nation. She pleaded for her daughter, symbolizing all the nations of the Gentiles. Aware of the Lord through the law, she referred to Him as the Son of David; in the scriptures, this title signifies the King of the eternal kingdom of heaven and is described as a shoot from the root of Jesse (Isaiah 11:1) and a son of David. The woman who acknowledged Christ as both Lord and Son of David did not seek healing for herself but interceded for her daughter, representing all the Gentiles afflicted by unclean spirits."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"And lo, a woman from Canaan, upon emerging from those regions, cried out to Him... (Mk. 7:26) indicates that ‘the woman was of Greek descent, a Syrophoenician by ethnicity, which means she was Greek in her beliefs, Syrian in her speech, and Phoenician by heritage or nationality. The Canaanites were referred to as Phoenicians, named after the chief city of Phoenicia. Having heard reports about Him long ago, and now learning of His presence, she pursued Him. (This Syrophoenician woman symbolizes the soul of every parent with a daughter—representing a mind captivated by earthly desires and thus appearing as if stricken with a consuming illness or demonic influence). Abandoning her afflicted daughter, who is numb to all sensation, she approaches, herself in need of greater mercy, as she feels the weight of her own affliction and suffers deeply. She refers to Him as the Son of David, recognizing His lineage from David, who was recognized by all. He describes evil as being irrational, meaning violent."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"The Canaanite woman pleads, \\"Have mercy on me,\\" not referring to \\"my daughter\\" since that individual is indifferent. She asks for compassion for herself, who experiences deep suffering and anguish. Instead of requesting healing, she calls for mercy."},{"author-name":"Nicephoros (Theotokis)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8958407451968d9c204fb_Nicephoros%20(Theotokis).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":18,"exegesis-text":"The Evangelist Mark notes that this woman was ‘a Syrophoenician by birth’ (Mk. 7:26), embodying Hellenistic devotion, Syrian speech, and Phoenician origin, with the Phoenicians historically referred to as Canaanites. Despite being a woman, it is clear she possessed knowledge of Jesus Christ; she recognized Him as both Lord and the Son of David. First and foremost, her faith is remarkable, followed closely by her profound love for her child. She believed so wholeheartedly that her daughter would be healed that she ventured beyond her homeland, leaving the territory of the Canaanites to seek the Lord for help. Her devotion to her child is highlighted in her plea; she did not merely request mercy for her daughter or assistance, but instead, she voiced the suffering of her daughter, who could not speak for herself due to the severity of her affliction, stating, Have mercy on me, and help me. This reflects the true nature of loving parents, who feel their children's pain and joys as their own."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The Evangelist indicates that the Lord did not fully enter these regions but only approached their borders. St. Matthew continues: And behold, a CANAANITE WOMAN, a Syro-Phoenician, who, though a Gentile, listened intently to the reports about Christ the Savior COMING OUT OF THESE AREAS, emerging from the territory of Tyre and Sidon, CRIED OUT TO HIM. St. Chrysostom remarks: ‘When you hear the term Canaanite, envision those lawless individuals who distorted the very essence of natural law, and recognize the importance of Christ's arrival. Those who were expelled to prevent the corruption of the Jews now exhibit greater fervor than the Jews themselves. They leave their own homeland and seek Christ, while the Jews persist in their persecution of the Savior who has come to them. Consider the merits of this woman. She did not venture to Jerusalem, feeling unworthy, yet her willingness to come from her own land shows her desire to seek Him. It is indeed moving to witness a mother pleading with such compassion for her daughter, who suffers greatly. She does not bring her afflicted daughter to the Master; instead, she leaves her at home and approaches Him, simply stating the nature of her daughter’s ailment without embellishment. Unlike that ruler who said, ‘Come, lay Thy hand upon her’ (Matthew 9:18), or the nobleman who pleaded, ‘Come, before my son dies’ (John 4:49), she seeks the Lord's compassion, crying out, asking for mercy not just for her daughter but for herself, 'PLEASE, O LORD, SON OF DAVID, MY DAUGHTER IS SORELY DISTRESSED. My daughter does not recognize her suffering, but I endure many agonies; I am afflicted, aware of my own torment!' Thus, the father of the demon-possessed youth cried out, 'Have mercy on us.’ What does this reveal? The suffering mother does not discover in Jesus Christ that compassionate Healer who approached all who were afflicted..."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The term \\"Canaanite woman\\" refers to the ancient Canaanites, who were the original inhabitants of Palestine prior to its conquest by the Israelites under Joshua. Following this conquest, a significant number of Canaanites relocated northward into Syria and Phoenicia. Over time, they intermingled with local tribes, which were related to them, explaining why Matthew identifies the woman as a Canaanite while Mark refers to her as a Syrophoenician (Matthew 15:22). \\n\\nWhen she addresses Jesus as \\"Lord, Son of David,\\" she employs a title reserved for the Messiah, indicating her understanding of Jewish expectations regarding the Messiah. The woman appears to acknowledge the widespread Jewish belief that Jesus, the miracle worker from Nazareth, was indeed the promised Messiah. This recognition might have stemmed from the reports of Jesus' deeds, which had circulated through Syria (Matthew 4:24).\\n\\nThe term \\"demoniacs\\" refers to those possessed by demons, a belief shared by both Jews and Gentiles alike (see Matthew 4:24). The Canaanite woman appeals to Jesus with the words \\"have mercy on me,\\" rather than requesting healing for her daughter directly, revealing her deep anguish over her daughter’s struggles. She expresses her plea for mercy, not insisting on a healing but highlighting her own suffering as she identifies with her daughter's plight (Theophilus)."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"A woman learned of Jesus’ arrival in Phoenicia and ventured from her locality to greet Him, as described by Matthew. His phrase – \\"coming out of those places\\" – implies that her meeting with Jesus occurred before He arrived in Phoenicia. This woman was a Gentile, specifically a Syro-Phoenician, as noted by Mark (Mark 7:26), yet she was evidently knowledgeable about the Jewish faith, referring to Jesus as the Son of David. Matthew identifies her as a Canaanite. The Syro-Phoenicians were the people residing in Phoenicia, which was part of Syria, while the Canaanites encompassed all the groups inhabiting Palestine who were moved northward by the Israelites coming from Egypt."},{"author-name":"Lopuchin A.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c891400ee1341634d2276d_Lopuchin%20A.P..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The renown of the miracles performed by the Savior had already reached Phoenicia prior to His arrival, resonating with many who believed. Among them were those who felt weary and burdened, yearning to find solace for their souls in Him. As soon as the Savior set foot in that land, a woman, who had seemingly been longing to meet Him, approached Him with a heartfelt plea, saying, ‘Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed!’"},{"author-name":"Paul Matwejewski","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8969f5be0d592d5a10576_Paul%20Matwejewski.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"As he was walking, a Canaanite woman approached, whose daughter was troubled by an evil spirit. Upon hearing about him, she hurried to him, crying out, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David, for my daughter is possessed by a demon.” Although her daughter was unresponsive, the mother deeply sensed her child's anguish (Blessed Theophylact)."}]}
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