Devine Scripture

Mark 7:27

What does Mark 7:27 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 7:27 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 7:27 means

Jesus replies with a metaphorical testing statement: 'Let the children first be filled; it is not meet to take the children’s bread and cast it to the dogs.' He compares Israel to children and Gentiles to dogs, using common imagery of the day. His words appear harsh but likely serve to probe the woman’s faith and to teach his disciples about priority—God’s mission begins with Israel. Yet the exchange also opens the way for the Gentile’s faith to be recognized and rewarded, revealing the widening scope of God’s mercy.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he said to her, Let the children first have their food: for it is not right to take the children's bread and give it to the dogs.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Jesus said to her, `Suffer first the children to be filled, for it is not good to take the children's bread, and to cast <FI>it<Fi> to the little dogs.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Who said to her: suffer first the children to be filled: for it is not good to take the bread of the children and cast it to the dogs.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But [Jesus] said to her, Suffer the children to be first filled; for it is not right to take the children's bread and cast it to the dogs.

Context

This verse is the turning point in the healing story—Jesus’ challenging reply introduces tension and tests the woman’s persistence. It follows her plea and frames a teaching moment about the order of mission: first to Israel, then to the nations. The woman’s response will reveal her humility and insight, leading to her daughter’s healing.

v.26Now the woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by race. And she besought him that he would cast forth the demon out of her daughter.

v.27This passage

v.28But she answered and saith unto him, Yea, Lord; even the dogs under the table eat of the children’s crumbs.

Cross references

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

  • 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:

  • 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,

  • 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.

  • Matthew 7:6

    Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast your pearls before the swine, lest haply they trample them under their feet, and turn and rend you.

  • Matthew 15:23

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

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