Why did Jesus call the Canaanite woman a dog? | GotQuestions.org

Matthew 15:21-28, why did Jesus call the Canaanite woman a dog? Is this a story about the faith of the Canaanite woman? Or is it that Jesus calls a woman a dog in order to insult her? Also, why did Jesus initially refuse to help a gentile woman? In this video, Pastor Nelson with Bible Munch answers the question, “Why did Jesus call the Canaanite woman a dog?”.

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[o-df]

Jesus said: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
And the woman is truly poor in spirit, and the kingdom promised by Jesus belongs to her

[_mcknight]

This explanation really helped my spirit, I swear I could've cried. A few weeks ago I saw a video on this situation of Jesus calling the Caananite woman a dog, and I did not recall reading that passage. So I opened my Bible and read it for myself, and I found myself actually quite upset by it. By how Jesus seemed to ignore the woman the first time, and then made that statement seeming to say she was a little dog that was lesser.

This honestly had me pretty upset with God for days, at a time when I was already having a challenge to my faith. But then I found this video and it all makes so much sense. I literally laughed in joy from it, and I had to repent for my anger, and it's like Jesus was saying "That's right, buddy. You owe me an apology." Afterwards I felt like a dark ugliness was lifted from me and I was no longer in a place of dark, angry feelings towards God. Thank you for this message.

[JohnWick-lumk]

As a gentile ... I was emotional when i read this chapter of Matthew about the Faith of the gentile woman because of her Faith ...she humbled herself by saying even dogs eats the crumbs that falls from their master's table.... She knows that a crumbs is enough to heal her demon possessed daughter or simply she has the faith that its just a small thing or too easy for Jesus Christ to heal her daughter.

[DallyQuinYahu]

He wasn’t comparing her to a dog. He called her a dog cuz the Canaanites were open to all doctrines and mixed them together and into a jumbled mess. He’s telling her that his teachings are for Israel and our set part. When she says she can get something out of them even if they’re just crumbs then he sees that she hasand what he is teaching. It has nothing to do with food. The food is his teaching.

[daisyjanevarron]

Thank you for the great explanation. I have been looking for answers to different sources and now I found this wonderful explanation to the question as I am teaching a lesson in our Values class in Grade 3, comprehensible by young minds.

[LavernLee-zzln]

Ahhh, finally a good explanation to Jesus calling a woman a dog. Some Bible passages need to be explained according to the culture, time & circumstance. Tnx Sam for this passage clarification.

[reecetrahan]

It shows that through faith we are Israelites, just some of us are adopted

[truthseeker]

But isn't Jesus supposed to be the father to all??
Also, since when do people call their mom or daughter or wife a 'pet dog'?
Finally, parable or not, this is no way to refer to any female. Be real people.
The thing is, that the bible refers to women alot in a belittling way, we all know this.

[jmchico]

This is helpful ive been looking for some answers in this verse thank you.

[BMoreGoHard]

No matter how you all try to spin it she’s still compared to a dog, point blank period! She wasn’t compared to meek turtle doves.

[backedupwithtruth]

Jesus didn't only delivered the sick child He also delivered some from their prejudice.

[unc]

Man, you make great biblical observations!
Bravo . Glory to God of course.
The kicker to that story is that in all reality,
that came in a woman should not even have existed !
Gob ordered the Hebrews to destroy the Canaanites but instead the Hebrews put them under tribute . (Made them slaves for self advancement.)
The fact that Jesus, after the conversation, said that she had great faith and then healed her, showed that indeed a new dispensation had arrived.
The savior of the world regardless of any past affiliation!
A huge moment!

[Abdul_Aloha]

The reason why Jesus didn't answered her at first was because she was a Canaanite woman pretending to be a Jew using the term "Son of David" << Matthew 15:22-23 >>

He answered her after she dropped the term "Son of David"

“Lord, help me!” she said. << Matthew 15:25 >>

kunarion

Strong's Concordance

kunarion: a little dog
Original Word: κυνάριον, ου, τό
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: kunarion
Phonetic Spelling: (koo-nar'-ee-on)
Definition: a little dog
Usage: a little dog, a house dog.

[RVDENT]

Wow. Religious people can really twist anything to fit their narrative.

[vanillabatcave]

Because Jesus is a figure from the extremely ethnocentric judean traditions, simple as

[am]

Jesus let us know that's it's ok to favour and help your own people, your family or people you feel similar to

[anonymousinternetuser]

If God's all knowing wouldn't he know she was worthy?

[silvertenzin]

When Jesus refused her, does that make Jesus unloving or how does love ❤️ thy neighbor as yourself apply here in context ?
Personally I think Jesus knows what he’s doing & it’s about his priority in his mission at that juncture. Most people might expect Jesus to show too much love ❤️ to that woman but it’s a very worldly understanding of Love. Jesus is not going to waste time showing this emotional love to everyone because that’s very shallow & that is not his Purpose.

[GypsyRootsTarotTraveler]

Exactly, friend exactly no matter how he tries to explain it as a pastor the Bible is still saying, Jesus called her dog

[jankopandza]

To help you understand better, the word dog in ancient Greek is κύων but the suffix -άριον is used in diminutive nouns, meaning words that express smaller or more tender forms of the object they describe.
For example:

"δάκτυλος" (finger) → "δακτύλιον" (small finger) "κύων" (dog) → "κυνάριον" (small dog/puppy)
"πλοῖον" (ship) → "πλοιάριον" (small ship)
This suffix gives the word a diminutive or affectionate character, often indicating something smaller or cuter than usual. So the word dog here is meant as a loving puppy