I have trouble understanding the passage in Matthew 15:21-28. It is hard for me to understand why Jesus chose to compare the woman to dogs. I know that there was a cultural divide between the people and that the Israelites believed themselves to be superior to others, but it is still hard to understand why Jesus would use such strong language, it seems as if he was trying to offend her. I have heard that Jesus was saying this tongue in cheek, or that he was testing her humility, but neither of those explanations help me understand the choice of words. I have been questioned about this when studying the Bible with others and do not have a very good reply. How would you suggest I reconcile this in my mind? -- Teresa Rosenquist

Many have tripped over Jesus' surprising choice of metaphors--I believe he intended us to. First, the fact that shocking language remains unedited in the New Testament is evidence that the early Christians considered the gospels to be inspired by God; they dared not tamper with it or "improve it." Having said that, the term "dogs" was commonly used to refer to Gentiles, and it does not seem like a very nice term to use. However, this is not the normal term for dog, and appears in the New Testament only in the passage about the Canaanite woman (here and in Mark's version in chapter 7). Kunarion is the term for a domestic dog, a house dog--the kind that plays with your children. This is not the stronger term used in, for example, Philippians 3:2 and Revelation 22:15.

We are at a loss to understand Jesus completely because we cannot hear the tone with which he spoke. Was he playful in his speech, or serious? It is certainly possible that he used an unusual word in a new way, or even parodied it in his dialogue with the woman. This should cause us to be somewhat tentative when drawing conclusions.

Another consideration: While Jesus says it would be wrong to neglect Israel, he isn't actually in the land of Israel during this conversation. He's already entered the region of Tyre and Sidon (Phoenicia—modern Lebanon), thus indicating his willingness to love and help all people.

Last (and obviously) Jesus is not connecting women with dogs--gender is not in view here. This woman is going to be an exception to the rule that the gospel would first be offered to Jews--and to Gentiles only later (see Matthew 10:6, and then 28:19).

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