Devine Scripture

Matthew 15:24

What does Matthew 15:24 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 15:24 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 15:24 means

Jesus breaks His silence, stating directly that He was sent specifically to "the lost sheep of the house of Israel." This statement underscores the primary focus of His earthly ministry at that time: to the Jewish people, confirming His role as the Messiah of Israel. His words, though seemingly exclusionary, serve as a test for the Canaanite woman's faith and purpose, revealing the established redemptive priority and the initial limitations of His public mission.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But he answered and said, I was not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But he answered and said, I was not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But he made answer and said, I was sent only to the wandering sheep of the house of Israel.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and he answering said, `I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he answering, said: I was not sent but to the sheep, that are lost of the house of Israel.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But he answering said, I have not been sent save to the lost sheep of Israel's house.

Context

This verse presents Jesus's direct and seemingly restrictive response, following His silence and the disciples' interjection in verse 23. This declaration of His primary mission to Israel establishes a significant obstacle for the Gentile woman, intensifying the challenge to her faith and setting up her persistent, worshipful response in the verses that follow.

v.23But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.

v.24This passage

v.25But she came and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.

Cross references

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

  • Jeremiah 50:6

    My people have been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray; they have turned them away on the mountains; they have gone from mountain to hill; they have forgotten their resting-place.

  • Acts 3:25

    Ye are the sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with your fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.

  • Acts 13:46

    And Paul and Barnabas spake out boldly, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first be spoken to you. Seeing ye thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

  • Luke 15:4

    What man of you, having a hundred sheep, and having lost one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

  • Romans 15:8

    For I say that Christ hath been made a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, that he might confirm the promises given unto the fathers,

  • Matthew 9:36

    But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were distressed and scattered, as sheep not having a shepherd.

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