Devine Scripture

Matthew 15:27

What does Matthew 15:27 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 15:27 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 15:27 means

With remarkable humility and spiritual insight, the Canaanite woman accepts Jesus's analogy but turns it into a plea for mercy. She agrees that the "dogs" do not deserve the "children's bread," but shrewdly points out that even dogs are allowed to eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table. This response showcases her profound faith, quick wit, and deep humility, accepting her position yet appealing to the overflow of God's grace and mercy, implying that even crumbs from His abundance are enough.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But she said, Yes, Lord: but even the dogs take the bits from under their masters' table.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And she said, `Yes, sir, for even the little dogs do eat of the crumbs that are falling from their lords' table;'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But she said: Yea, Lord; for the whelps also eat of the crumbs that fall from the table of their masters.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

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

Context

This verse contains the Canaanite woman's brilliant and faith-filled response to Jesus's challenging analogy in verse 26. Her humble yet powerful retort creatively appeals to Jesus's mercy, demonstrating the depth of her understanding and tenacity. This turn of phrase resolves the tension of the preceding verses and immediately sets up Jesus's commendation of her extraordinary faith in the following verse.

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

v.27This passage

v.28Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it done unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was healed from that hour.

Cross references

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

  • Ephesians 3:8

    Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach unto the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

  • Luke 16:21

    and desiring to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table; yea, even the dogs came and licked his sores.

  • 1 Timothy 1:13

    though I was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: howbeit I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief;

  • Romans 10:12

    For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek: for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich unto all that call upon him:

  • Job 42:2

    I know that thou canst do all things, And that no purpose of thine can be restrained.

  • Daniel 9:18

    O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies’ sake.

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