The Syrophoenician Woman
Great Faith from a Gentile
Gentile mother whose persistent faith won deliverance for her demon-possessed daughter.
Matthew 15:21-28 calls her a woman of Canaan; Mark 7:24-30 calls her a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation. Her daughter was grievously vexed with a devil, and she came to Jesus in the borders of Tyre and Sidon.
Her Story
She cried, 'Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David.' Jesus answered her not a word. The disciples urged Him to send her away. He said, 'I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.' She worshipped Him: 'Lord, help me.' He said, 'It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.' She answered, 'Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.' Jesus answered, 'O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt.' Her daughter was made whole that hour.
What Scripture Teaches
- 1Gentile mother of a demon-vexed daughter (Matthew 15:22)
- 2Persisted through silence, rebuke, and testing (15:23-26)
- 3Received the rare commendation 'great is thy faith' (15:28)
- 4Her daughter delivered that very hour
Key KJV Scriptures
"And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt."
Why It Matters
Two Gospels record only two people whose faith Jesus called 'great' — a Roman centurion and this Gentile mother. Both were outsiders by birth, insiders by faith.
Application for Today
Persist. The silence of Christ is not His refusal — it is His training of your faith.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Jesus harsh to her?
He used her own people's proverb to draw forth her faith. The Greek term He used (kunaria) means household pup, not a wild dog — and she seized the hint with humble wit.
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