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Explanation for:
Matthew
15
:
28
Then Jesus answering, said to her: O woman, great is thy faith: be it done to thee as thou wilt: and her daughter was cured from that hour.
12
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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":"I realize, she declares, that I am not worthy of the bread meant for the children, nor can I partake in the entirety of the banquet. However, I find satisfaction in the scraps that fall to the dogs. By humbly consuming these crumbs, I aspire to attain the fullness represented by the whole bread. Remarkably, Israel was once regarded as the Father's own, while we were viewed as mere dogs; yet, due to differences in faith, the status has shifted. It is later noted about them: The dogs encircled me (Ps. 21:17) and also: Beware of dogs, beware of evildoers, beware of those who practice circumcision (Phil. 3:2). Alongside the Syrophoenician woman and the woman who bled, we hear the words: Great is your faith; let it be done for you as you wish, and: Do not fear, daughter; your faith has healed you (Mt. 9:22)."},{"author-name":"Ephraem the Syrian","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88b589fc3e99eb7bb1839_Ephraem%20the%20Syrian.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"He performed this wonder among the people of Israel to reveal that in their opposition to Him, they were resisting the authority of the Most High. The Israelites, once under the influence of the so-called Jesus, the son of Joshua, failed to recognize the true Jesus who had come; yet the descendants of the Canaanites, witnessing the miracles reminiscent of those they had seen in Jesus, son of Joshua, recognized the genuine Life-Giver through His foreshadowings. Following the emergence of this unclean element from the Canaanites, who discerned the truth through images and likenesses, they turned and entered into the heart of Israel, for whom the Lord appeared unexpectedly, having prepared them through such images. The same unclean spirit influenced them, similar to the time when, upon returning from spying out the land of Canaan, they were filled with fury and sought to stone Moses, while Joshua calmed their wrath. This name, Jesus, brought down the giants in their presence, and the unclean spirit entered into the Canaanites, provoking them to wage war against Jesus, son of Naveen. However, when the true Jesus emerged, it was through the genuine faith of the Canaanites in Him that He cast out the unclean spirit from the woman, described as a representative of the Canaanite people. In honor of the name of Jesus, they abandoned their idol worship; yet, if one observes the Israelites of today, one can see that the same rage, irritation, anger, hatred, and envy indicative of the Gentiles resides among them. Therefore, when you hear this, be cautious not to adopt the narrative of this unclean spirit and his seven companions verbatim; rather, with discernment, grasp the essence or significance of the parable and do not apply it too loosely to every detail, but rather to the overall framework of the story. For where the parable gives specific details, the expressions used therein are adorned with a certain covering, which, when stripped of its excess, reveals the truth. Just as the Canaanites, who waged war against that name, were uprooted from their land, so too were the Israelites displaced from their homes."},{"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":"This is why He has waited until now to offer assistance, allowing Him to proclaim these words and bless the woman. \\"Let it be to you as you wish,\\" meaning your faith can achieve even more than this! This statement mirrors the command, \\"Let there be light,\\" and it was so. \\"And her daughter was healed at that moment.\\" Do you recognize the extent of her contribution to her daughter’s healing? For this reason, Christ did not simply say, \\"Let your daughter be healed,\\" but instead declared, \\"Great is your faith; let it be done for you as you desire,\\" to confirm that her words were not meaningless flattery but rather reflected her profound faith. The most compelling evidence of this is seen in the immediate healing of her daughter. Notice that she accomplished what the apostles could not. Such is the strength of persistent prayer! God desires for us to seek Him more for our needs than others intercede on our behalf. While the apostles displayed boldness, the woman demonstrated remarkable perseverance. By responding to her plea, Christ justified His delayed response to His disciples, revealing the correctness of His prior refusal.\\n\\nDo you understand why the Lord took time to respond to the woman's plea? It was so we could discern the power of her faith from her own words. Observe how the Lord quickly honors and praises her, stating, \\"O woman, great is your faith.\\" With astonishment and praise, He acknowledges the one He initially did not respond to. He exclaims, \\"Great is your faith.\\" Indeed, \\"great faith\\" is to witness the Lord repeatedly decline a request and yet remain undiscouraged, persistently calling upon the Lord until He is moved to respond. Therefore, He affirms, \\"Let it be done for you as you wish.\\" Do you see how He, who had initially given no response, now honors her with His gifts and praises? Not only did He heed her request, but He also exalted and honored her. By addressing her as \\"O woman,\\" He demonstrates His admiration for her faith; and when He says, \\"great is your faith,\\" He reveals her inner wealth. He then assures her, \\"As much as you desire, so shall it be.\\" He gives according to her continual entreaty, indicating she is worthy of the fulfillment of her request. Do you now perceive the steadfastness of the woman? Do you grasp the reason behind the Lord's delay and the purpose of His timing—to bestow upon her even greater glory?\\n\\n\\"O woman\\"—this statement conveys astonishment and offers immense commendation. \\"Great,\\" He says, \\"is the faith you have demonstrated; your desires shall be fulfilled.\\" Look at the Lord's abundant mercy, and consider His wisdom. Could it not initially seem that He lacked compassion when He dismissed her? At first, He offered no response and seemed to drive away one who sought Him earnestly. Yet, judge God's goodness by the outcome. He wished to exalt this woman; therefore, He delayed in granting her request. If He had responded immediately, we would not have recognized the woman's virtue; however, through His slight delay, both the inexpressible compassion of the Lord and her extraordinary faith have been revealed.\\n\\nWe can recall what has been said and help correct others by continually resorting to prayer and calling upon God, who provides wisdom. He bestows both understanding and the preservation of this spiritual truth, firm and invincible. Often, what we cannot achieve through our own efforts can effortlessly be accomplished through constant prayer. Indeed, we must pray always and without ceasing—in times of trial as well as in peace, through hardships and during blessings. In times of peace and many blessings, we must ask that they remain steadfast and unchanging. In trials and calamities, we seek a beneficial change, that they may transform into a peaceful comfort. Are you in silence? Pray that this silence remains with you. Have you noticed the impending storm? Urgently seek God for strength to endure the turmoil and for peace to follow. Are your prayers answered? Give thanks for being heard. If not, exercise patience, believing that although God may delay His gifts, He does so not out of anger or aversion, but because He desires to keep you close just as loving parents might wisely withhold from their careless children. You have no need for mediators with God, nor do you need many appeals or flattery; when you approach Him in solitude and without an intercessor, you can align everything according to His will. He generally responds more favorably when we call upon Him directly, even if we are burdened by overwhelming troubles. If, among people, our persistence can ease the anger of those offended, how much more can our earnestness touch the heart of God? If you find yourself unworthy, strive to attain worthiness through unwavering determination.\\n\\nTo illustrate these truths, consider the parable we have engaged with today. A Canaanite woman approached Christ, earnestly pleading for her daughter tormented by demons, crying out, \\"Have mercy on me, O Lord, son of David, my daughter is severely possessed\\" (Matthew 15:22). Behold, she is foreign and not of Israel—what is she but a dog, seemingly unworthy of what she seeks? \\"It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.\\" Yet, her steadfast faith granted her worthiness; she who was once lowly was elevated to the status of a child. She left not only with praise but also with the assurance, \\"O woman, great is your faith; let it be done for you as you desire.\\" When Christ affirms \\"great is your faith,\\" it is evident of the woman's noble spirit. Do you see how an unworthy individual became worthy through steadfast faith?\\n\\nDo you realize that we are more inclined to reach out to Him directly rather than through others? When she called out, the disciples urged Him to send her away, for she cried out after them. But Christ replied, \\"I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.\\" Nevertheless, when she approached Him again, earnestly pleading, \\"Yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table,\\" He granted her grace, stating, \\"Great is your faith; let it be done for you as you desire\\" (Matt. 15:23-28). Notice how He initially refused the requests of the disciples, yet yielded when she herself implored with sincerity. To the disciples, He indicated He was sent only to Israel, but to her He proclaimed, \\"Great is your faith; let it be done for you as you wish.\\" Initially, He offered no reply, but after she persistently approached Him multiple times, He granted her request, demonstrating clearly that His initial silence was not meant to repel her, but rather to showcase her patience.\\n\\nHad He wished to deter her, He would not have granted her request in the end. His purpose was to reveal her remarkable perseverance. When the disciples exclaimed, \\"Let her go, for she cries out after us,\\" Christ perceived not just her voice, but her heart. He recognized her unspoken thoughts and desired to disclose her hidden treasure by waiting in silence. Thus, having learned these lessons, despite our sins and unworthiness to receive blessings, let us strive to approach Him. Through steadfastness of spirit, we shall make ourselves deserving of what we seek. Even in the absence of an intercessor, let us not hesitate, understanding that our sincere diligence is the most powerful intercession. If He is slow to respond, let us remain steadfast, realizing this delay reflects His care and compassion.\\n\\nIf we approach Him with a heart of warmth and sorrow, and with earnest intention, emulating the Canaanite woman, even if we feel unworthy, we shall be cleansed of our sins and emboldened to intercede for others, just as that Canaanite woman, having received great praise, was empowered to rescue her daughter from distress. Truly, nothing is as potent as fervent and genuine prayer. It addresses our current tribulations and rescues us from future consequences. Therefore, to live our present lives joyfully and approach the afterlife with boldness, let us pray continually with great dedication and passion. In doing so, we will attain our present needs and experience hopeful expectations, enabling us, through the grace, compassion, and generosity of our Lord Jesus Christ, to ascribe glory, honor, and power to the Father, along with the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen."},{"author-name":"Ambrose of Milan","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88871ceef8c96e0998cd0_Ambrose%20of%20Milan.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Who then takes the kingdom? It is not immorality, not promiscuity, not lewdness, nor indulgence, but rather the one of whom it is proclaimed, \\"Great is thy faith; let it be done unto thee according to thy will.\\" She seized it, having attained her wishes and fervently requested what she sought."},{"author-name":"Augustine of Hippo","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88950a5c988a4fc06c7ae_Augustine%20of%20Hippo.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":5,"exegesis-text":"Consider, dear friends, how this woman, a Canaanite by origin and a representative of the Gentiles, is magnificently adorned with a spirit of humility. Indeed, the Jewish nation, which is often reproached in the Gospel, became ensnared by pride due to their status as recipients of the Law, the lineage of patriarchs, the appearance of prophets, and the miraculous deeds performed by Moses, the servant of God, as narrated in the Psalms. He guided the people through the parted waters of the Red Sea and delivered the Law to that very nation. Such was the basis for the Jews' exaltation. However, because of this pride, they refused to respond to Christ—the embodiment of humility, the reducer of arrogance, the divine healer who, being God, assumed human flesh to experience what it is to be human. What a powerful cure for healing! If this remedy fails to mend pride, then what else could possibly do so? I find it hard to fathom. God took on humanity, setting aside, if you will, the full visibility of His divinity; He concealed what was uniquely His and made manifest the human condition He embraced. Though He is God, He became man. Yet humanity often fails to acknowledge its own nature, its mortality; individuals do not recognize their weakness, sinfulness, or illness, blindly convinced of their own healthiness! This very pride prevented them from approaching Him. As Scripture indicates, certain natural branches from the olive tree—representing those descended from the patriarchs—were severed, namely the Jews, who justly faced such consequences for their spiritual barrenness. Then, the wild olive shoot—symbolizing the Gentiles—was grafted into the cultivated olive tree. The apostle notes that some branches were broken off, making way for the wild olive to take their place. They were removed due to pride; conversely, the wild olive was accepted because of humility. This humility was demonstrated by the woman when she said, \\"Yes, Lord, I am like one of the dogs; I only desire the crumbs.\\" A similar humility earned the favor of Jesus for the centurion: when he asked the Lord to heal his servant, Jesus replied, \\"I will come and heal him.\\" Yet the centurion continued, \\"Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof, but only speak the word, and my servant shall be healed\\" (Matthew 8:7-8). He did not invite the Lord into his home but welcomed Him into his heart. The greater one's humility, the more one can receive; the more one is filled. Just as the hills overflow with water and the valleys become fruitful. When the centurion stated, \\"I am not worthy that You should come under my roof,\\" what did the Lord reply? \\"Truly, I say to you, I have not found such faith in Israel\\" (Matthew 8:10). This indicates that among those to whom He came, He found no faith of such magnitude. What does this signify? It is immense. Immense in its smallness, reflecting profound humility. I did not find faith of such quality—like a mustard seed, the smaller the seed, the more potent its strength. Thus, the wild olive was grafted in when the Lord declared, \\"Truly, I say to you, neither have I found such faith in Israel.\\""},{"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":"In the account of Mark, it is recorded that Christ addressed her, saying, ‘For this saying, go,’ the demon has departed from your daughter. This indicates that her wise and thoughtful response was key to her daughter's healing. The Saviour lauded both her faith and her astuteness; thus, Matthew highlights her faith while Mark emphasizes her sagacity. It is noteworthy that while the apostles sought her assistance yet obtained no benefit, it was she who experienced success. This illustrates that God desires us to seek His aid for ourselves. The disciples possessed greater boldness, yet the woman demonstrated remarkable perseverance. Indeed, persistence in prayer holds tremendous power. In a symbolic interpretation, this Canaanite woman represents the Church of the Gentiles, who, despite being within the constraints of her own beliefs, had a daughter afflicted by demonic oppression. But when she transcended these limitations—forgetting her people and her household, as mentioned in Psalm 44:11—she received a blessed word from Christ and was liberated from the grip of evil spirits."},{"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":"Jesus clarified the reason for His initial reluctance to heal the woman: it was to demonstrate her faith and discernment. Thus, Christ did not respond positively right away but instead sent her away. Once her faith and discernment were evident, she received commendation: \\"great is thy faith.\\" \\"It shall be done unto thee according to thy desire\\"—these words indicate that her faith was the key to receiving her request. Similarly, if we truly wish for something, nothing can hinder us from obtaining it, provided we possess faith. It is worth noting that although the saints intercede for us, like the apostles did for the Canaanite woman, we tend to achieve our desires more fully when we pray for ourselves. The Canaanite woman symbolizes the Gentile church, for those who were once marginalized later became accepted members of the family of God and were graced with the bread, referring to the body of Christ. Meanwhile, the Jews, having started to partake of the Scriptures, became akin to dogs, consuming only the meager crumbs of the written word. Tyre signifies fear, Sidon represents those who ensnare, and Canaan means \\"prepared by humility.\\" Thus, the Gentiles, who were beset by evil and were influenced by demonic forces, were cultivated in humility, whereas the righteous are elevated by the splendor of the Kingdom of God."},{"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":"Truly, her faith is remarkable! The idol-worshiping woman, lacking knowledge of righteousness, promptly departs from her native land and calls out to Jesus and His disciples, ‘Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Despite receiving no reply and facing rejection and scorn, she remains unwavering in her belief. This steadfastness prompts the God-Man to grant her a generous blessing: ‘Let it be done for you as you desire.’ What was her desire? The healing of her daughter: and indeed, she received it. For at the very moment when Jesus Christ proclaimed, ‘Let it be to you as you wish,’ her daughter was restored to health."},{"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":"Until this point, she had only endured rebukes, but now she receives words filled with profound grace and commendation: THEN JESUS responded to her, saying, O WOMAN! Until now, the Lord had withheld even the slightest blessing from her, but at this moment, He unveils the entire bounty of His blessings and instructs her to take as much as she desires: THY WILL BE YOUR WILL (return home; the evil spirit has already departed from your daughter! And this creative declaration became reality). Her daughter was healed at that very hour, so that upon her return home, she discovered her daughter resting peacefully on her bed. This exemplifies the power of persistent prayer: God desires us to seek His assistance for our needs more earnestly than others seek for us. If God appears to be slow to act, it does not imply a denial of His help..."},{"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":"\\"Great is thy faith.\\" The remarkable strength of the woman's faith is eloquently described by St. Chrysostom: \\"When you hear the name of the Canaanite woman, imagine those lawless individuals who have overturned the very principles of nature. Those who were cast out so as to avoid corrupting the Jews are now more fervent in their pursuit than the Jews themselves. They emerge from their homeland to seek Christ directly, while the Jews, who were meant to welcome Him, instead turn against Him. But He did not respond to her, even a word.\\" What is the significance of this unusual behavior from Jesus? He highlights the ungratefulness of the Jews and addresses those who speak ill, yet does not abandon those who challenge Him; and yet, the woman who approaches Him earnestly, one who is unaware of the Law or the prophets yet exhibits such fervor, He does not even acknowledge with a response. Who among us would not be tempted to question Jesus when faced with such a contradictory action? Yet, her faith remained unshaken. \\n\\nChrist replies to the pleadings of the disciples: \\"I am sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.\\" One moment of silence could have led the Canaanite woman into despair; how much greater despair might His reply have caused? Observing her advocates, the Apostles, bewildered and informed that her request could not be granted, she could easily have lost all hope. Instead, she held fast to her belief, and, recognizing the limitations of her intercessors, she embraced commendable courage. Previously hesitant to appear before the Lord, it is said, \\"He cries out for us.\\" Yet now, in the midst of hopelessness, she draws nearer and kneels, imploring, \\"Lord, help me.\\" What then does Christ say? The more she amplifies her plea, the more resolute His refusals become. He no longer refers to the Jews merely as sheep, but as children, and calls her a dog. What is her response? She finds solace in His words. \\"If I am a dog,\\" she reasons, \\"then I am not an outsider.\\" Despite her humiliation, she exhibits patience and unwavering faith. \\"I know,\\" she states, \\"that the children ought to receive sustenance. However, even though I am like a dog, I am not entirely barred from eating. If it were impossible for me to partake at all, I could never even grasp the crumbs. But if I can obtain even a small portion, it is not entirely denied to me, even if I am like a dog; or perhaps it is because I resemble a dog that I seek to partake more abundantly.”\\n\\nConsider also her humility intertwined with faith. The Lord refers to the Jews as children, yet she does not settle for this designation, instead recognizing them as masters. When He states, \\"It is not good,\\" she responds, \\"Indeed, Lord.\\" He labels her a dog, and she willingly embraces the role typically associated with a dog. What is Christ's reaction? \\"O woman,\\" He proclaims, \\"great is thy faith: let it be done unto thee according to thy desire,\\" meaning her faith can achieve far more than this, but let it be granted to her based on her faith. This declaration carries weight: let it be in heaven as it is on earth – and it was so. \\"And her daughter was healed\\": an extraordinary aspect of this miracle is that it occurred for the afflicted woman from a distance, as noted in Matthew 8:13, John 4:46, and Dal."},{"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":"Moved by the humility and faith of the Canaanite woman, Jesus exclaimed, ‘O woman! Great is your faith; let it be to you according to your desire. Go home, the demon has gone out of your daughter (Mark 7:29).’ In that very hour, her daughter was healed. Upon returning home, she discovered the demon had departed, finding her daughter resting on her bed (Mark 7:30). There was no necessity for physical contact with the afflicted woman, nor for direct confrontation with the unclean spirit. The definitive command of Christ sufficed—let it be! And at that moment, a miraculous healing occurred. The Canaanite woman was worthy of Christ’s grace; she trusted in His omnipotence and believed that even in the absence of her tormented daughter, He could restore her if He chose to; she hoped He would grant her this healing. With unwavering faith and resolute hope, she approached Christ in prayer. Even when it appeared that Jesus was indifferent to her pleas, she persisted; when the apostles themselves could not persuade Him, she fell at His feet, continuing to humble herself despite His initial refusal, which might have felt discouraging. Yet her faith and hope remained steadfast, and through her humility, she achieved her desire. Christ's compassion led to the healing of her daughter. How often do we, in our own requests to God, lose fervor when immediate responses are absent, saying, ‘I prayed and asked, but nothing came of it, so I ceased my prayers’? Let us refrain from such reasoning and learn from the Canaanite woman's example to persistently seek God’s favor. If we do not receive what we ask, it is a reflection of our own shortcomings: God, in His boundless Goodness and Love, bestows gifts according to our faith and actions. Therefore, if our requests remain unanswered, it stems from either insufficient faith, which cannot recognize God's gifts, or unworthiness due to our sins. Let us strive to fortify our faith, reduce our transgressions, and increase our good deeds. With the perseverance of the Canaanite woman, let us approach God with unwavering confidence, believing that in due time, we will receive what we seek. Ask—Christ declared—and it will be given to you (Matt. 7:7)."},{"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":"Her faith triumphed. Not a moment longer did the Savior extend her suffering of anticipation. “O woman!” He declared, “great is your faith; let it be granted to you as you wish.” Instantly, His miraculous words took effect. “And upon arriving at her home, she discovered that the demon had departed, and her daughter was resting on the bed, completely well.”"}]}
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