A.D. 29. Spring. 

CAPERNAUM. THLRD TEAR. HEALING OF THE SYRO- PHOENICIAN WOMAN

 

“It is not meet to take the Children’s bread and feed it to the dogs.”  Matthew 15:26

 

There is a touch of infinite beauty and graciousness in the  expression, which it is easy for us to miss. The word He uses for 'dogs’ is not the word which was used for the wild creatures which  go about in troops in Eastern cities, and which were regarded by the Jews with great disgust. It is the word for 'little dogs,' living in the house and with the family, and lying under the master s table that are fed with pieces of the children's loaf. They are not outside. They, too, have a place in the family. If Christ puts it so, then she and her people have a place, though a humble one, in the house of the Master of all. The children may be fed first; but they, too, are to be remembered and blessed. Christ gave her a better place in the house than she hoped for; indeed, she supposed that she had no place at all." 

 

—R. W. Dale, D.D,