Devine Scripture

Matthew 15:26

What does Matthew 15:26 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 15:26 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 15:26 means

Jesus responds to the woman with a challenging analogy, comparing healing for Gentiles to taking "the children's bread"—a reference to the blessings meant for Israel—and casting it "to the dogs"—a colloquial, somewhat harsh term for Gentiles. This statement, while seemingly offensive, pushes the woman's faith further, testing her humility and understanding of God's redemptive plan, and setting up her remarkable reply that will demonstrate the depth of her trust.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he made answer and said, It is not right to take the children's bread and give it to the dogs.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and he answering said, `It is not good to take the children's bread, and to cast to the little dogs.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Who answering, said: It is not good to take the bread of the children, and to cast it to the dogs.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But he answering said, It is not well to take the bread of the children and cast it to the dogs.

Context

This verse presents Jesus's second, even more challenging response to the persistent Canaanite woman (following her worship in verse 25). His use of the "children's bread" and "dogs" analogy is designed to further test her faith and humility, making her subsequent, ingenious reply even more impactful. It's a critical moment of escalating tension before her ultimate triumph of faith.

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

v.26This passage

v.27But she said, Yea, Lord: for even the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.

Cross references

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

  • Galatians 2:15

    We being Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,

  • Ephesians 2:12

    that ye were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

  • Acts 22:21

    And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee forth far hence unto the Gentiles.

  • Philippians 3:2

    Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the concision:

  • Mark 7:27

    And he said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children’s bread and cast it to the dogs.

  • Romans 9:4

    who are Israelites; whose is the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Matthew 15

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Matthew 15.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Matthew 15:26.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary