Devine Scripture

Matthew 15:21

What does Matthew 15:21 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 15:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 15:21 means

Following the intense confrontation with the Jewish religious leaders and His teaching on true defilement, Jesus withdraws from that area. He moves into the "parts of Tyre and Sidon," which were predominantly Gentile territories northwest of Galilee. This strategic departure suggests a desire for quiet retreat and perhaps a deliberate move to expand His ministry beyond the immediate Jewish context and its escalating opposition, foreshadowing the inclusion of Gentiles in God's redemptive plan.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And Jesus went out thence, and withdrew into the parts of Tyre and Sidon.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And Jesus went out thence, and withdrew into the parts of Tyre and Sidon.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And Jesus went away from there into the country of Tyre and Sidon.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Jesus having come forth thence, withdrew to the parts of Tyre and Sidon,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And Jesus went from thence, and retired into the coast of Tyre and Sidon.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Jesus, going forth from thence, went away into the parts of Tyre and Sidon;

Context

Having concluded the significant confrontation and teaching regarding purity and tradition in Jerusalem (verses 1-20), this verse marks a geographical and thematic shift in the chapter. Jesus moves from primarily Jewish territory to Gentile regions, setting the stage for His encounter with the Canaanite woman and illustrating His ministry's broader scope. This transition initiates the second major narrative section of the chapter.

v.20these are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not the man.

v.21This passage

v.22And behold, a Canaanitish woman came out from those borders, and cried, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a demon.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Joshua 11:8

    And Jehovah delivered them into the hand of Israel, and they smote them, and chased them unto great Sidon, and unto Misrephoth-maim, and unto the valley of Mizpeh eastward; and they smote them, until they left them none remaining.

  • Joshua 19:28

    and Ebron, and Rehob, and Hammon, and Kanah, even unto great Sidon;

  • Mark 7:24

    And from thence he arose, and went away into the borders of Tyre and Sidon. And he entered into a house, and would have no man know it; and he could not be hid.

  • Genesis 49:13

    Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea; And he shall be for a haven of ships; And his border shall be upon Sidon.

  • Judges 1:31

    Asher drove not out the inhabitants of Acco, nor the inhabitants of Sidon, nor of Ahlab, nor of Achzib, nor of Helbah, nor of Aphik, nor of Rehob;

  • Matthew 10:5

    These twelve Jesus sent forth, and charged them, saying, Go not into any way of the Gentiles, and enter not into any city of the Samaritans:

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