Devine Scripture

Matthew 15:25

What does Matthew 15:25 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 15:25 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 15:25 means

Despite Jesus’s discouraging words about His mission being primarily to Israel, the Canaanite woman persists. She comes closer, prostrates herself in worship, and humbly pleads, "Lord, help me." Her act of worship and simple, direct request demonstrates profound humility, persistence, and unwavering faith. She doesn’t argue with Jesus's statement but instead appeals to His mercy and power, refusing to be deterred by the apparent rejection.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But she came and gave him worship, saying, Help, Lord.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And having come, she was bowing to him, saying, `Sir, help me;'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But she came and adored him, saying: Lord, help me.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But she came and did him homage, saying, Lord, help me.

Context

Even after Jesus's seemingly definitive statement about His mission to Israel in verse 24, this verse dramatically highlights the Canaanite woman's unwavering persistence and faith. Her act of worship and humble plea demonstrate her determination, setting the stage for Jesus's further, more challenging test in the next verse, but also revealing her deep trust.

v.24But he answered and said, I was not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

v.25This passage

v.26And he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread and cast it to the dogs.

Cross references

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

  • Hosea 12:4

    yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed; he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him at Beth-el, and there he spake with us,

  • Matthew 20:31

    And the multitude rebuked them, that they should hold their peace: but they cried out the more, saying, Lord, have mercy on us, thou son of David.

  • Mark 9:24

    Straightway the father of the child cried out, and said, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

  • Luke 18:1

    And he spake a parable unto them to the end that they ought always to pray, and not to faint;

  • Matthew 14:33

    And they that were in the boat worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

  • Luke 11:8

    I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will arise and give him as many as he needeth.

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