King James Version

What Does Matthew 15:28 Mean?

Matthew 15:28 in the King James Version says “Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter ... — study this verse from Matthew chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

Matthew 15:28 · KJV


Context

26

But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.

27

And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.

28

Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

29

And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there.

30

And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jesus' response to the Canaanite woman—'O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt'—commends extraordinary faith. 'Great is thy faith' contrasts with His frequent 'little faith' rebukes to disciples. Her persistent faith despite apparent rejection, ethnic barriers, and insulting language (dogs, v. 26) demonstrated uncommon trust. 'Be it unto thee even as thou wilt' grants her request, rewarding perseverance. This Gentile woman's faith shames Israelite unbelief.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Canaanite woman faced multiple obstacles: wrong ethnicity (Canaanite not Jew), wrong gender (women were marginalized), wrong theology (pagan not monotheist). Jesus' initial seeming rejection ('It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs,' v. 26) tested her faith. Her humble persistence ('yet the dogs eat of the crumbs,' v. 27) demonstrated faith surpassing many Israelites.

Reflection Questions

  1. What obstacles to faith are you allowing to limit your persistence in prayer?
  2. How does the Canaanite woman's response to apparent rejection model faith for you?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 25 words
τότε1 of 25

Then

G5119

the when, i.e., at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)

ἀποκριθεὶς2 of 25

answered

G611

to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)

3 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰησοῦς4 of 25

Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

εἶπεν5 of 25

and said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

αὐτῆς6 of 25

her

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

7 of 25

O

G5599

as a sign of the vocative case, o; as a note of exclamation, oh

γύναι8 of 25

woman

G1135

a woman; specially, a wife

μεγάλη9 of 25

great

G3173

big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application)

σου10 of 25

is thy

G4675

of thee, thy

11 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πίστις·12 of 25

faith

G4102

persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ

γενηθήτω13 of 25

be it

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

σοι14 of 25

unto thee

G4671

to thee

ὡς15 of 25

even as

G5613

which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)

θέλεις16 of 25

thou wilt

G2309

to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),

καὶ17 of 25

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἰάθη18 of 25

was made whole

G2390

to cure (literally or figuratively)

19 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θυγάτηρ20 of 25

daughter

G2364

a female child, or (by hebraism) descendant (or inhabitant)

αὐτῆς21 of 25

her

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἀπὸ22 of 25

from

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

τῆς23 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὥρας24 of 25

hour

G5610

an "hour" (literally or figuratively)

ἐκείνης25 of 25

that very

G1565

that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Matthew. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Matthew 15:28 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Matthew 15:28 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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