Devine Scripture

Mark 7:28

What does Mark 7:28 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 7:28 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 7:28 means

The woman responds with humility and wit: 'Yea, Lord; even the dogs under the table eat of the children’s crumbs.' She accepts the priority given to Israel but asserts that scraps of God’s grace to the Gentiles are still gracious and sufficient. Her answer shows faith, humility, and theological insight—she recognizes Jesus’ lordship and trusts that even a small measure of his mercy will heal her daughter. Her reply moves Jesus to praise and to grant her request, highlighting the power of persistent, humble faith.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children’s crumbs.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But she said to him in answer, Yes, Lord: even the dogs under the table take the bits dropped by the children.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And she answered and saith to him, `Yes, sir; for the little dogs also under the table do eat of the children's crumbs.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But she answered and said to him: Yea, Lord; for the whelps also eat under the table of the crumbs of the children.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But she answered and says to him, Yea, Lord; for even the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs.

Context

This verse completes the exchange set up by Jesus’ provocative analogy. Her response demonstrates the reversal theme: the outsider shows greater faith than insiders. It prepares for Jesus’ immediate granting of her request and the demon’s departure in verse 29, underlining the chapter’s theme of heart-driven faith and the extension of mercy to Gentiles.

v.27And 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.

v.28This passage

v.29And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the demon is gone out of thy daughter.

Cross references

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

  • 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:

  • Matthew 5:45

    that ye may be sons of your Father who is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust.

  • Acts 11:17

    If then God gave unto them the like gift as he did also unto us, when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I, that I could withstand God?

  • Isaiah 49:6

    yea, he saith, It is too light a thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.

  • Luke 7:6

    And Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself; for I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof:

  • 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,

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Mark 7

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Mark 7.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Mark 7:28.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary