Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 15:21

"And Jesus went out thence, and withdrew into the parts of Tyre and Sidon." — Matthew 15:21 (ASV)

Then Jesus went from there,

He was glad to get away from the scribes and Pharisees, who had been disputing about such trifles as the washing of his disciples' hands; he was tired of the murmuring of these cantankerous, frivolous triflers.

He left the loathsome company of the Pharisees and went from there, going as far away as He could without leaving His own country. The great Bishop went to the very borders of His diocese.

An inward attraction drew Him where He knew that a believing heart was yearning for Him. He was sent to the house of Israel as a preacher, but He interpreted His commission in its largest sense, and went into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.

When those at the center prove incorrigible, the Lord goes to those who can be only reached from the circumference. Let us always plow to the very end of the field and serve our day and generation to the extreme limits of our sphere.

And departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.

He felt that he would rather be with "sinners of the Gentiles" than with these Ritualistic and hypocritical Hebrews. He will get as far away from them as he possibly can. He will go even to the heathen, for among them he will be able to do his real business and not be trifled with.

Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.

He was glad to get away, and made a journey over the hills to get to as great a distance as possible from these fault-finders.