Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 15:21-22

"And Jesus went out thence, and withdrew into the parts of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanitish woman came out from those borders, and cried, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a demon." — Matthew 15:21-22 (ASV)

Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.

He made a long journey to go and meet one woman. An instance of how far you and I should be willing to go to save a soul.

And behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts. She came a little way, but He had come a long way. Perhaps some sinner has come here today, just as Christ has come too.

The woman cried unto him. Sinners and the Savior will meet, for sinners are seeking Him, and they will perhaps meet sooner than they expect.

Perhaps she meant to have gone a long journey, but He met her, and she cried to Him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David.

She knew His deity: O Lord. She knew His humanity: The Son of David. She knew His royalty: The Son of David. She had but one prayer: Have mercy on me.

That prayer suits me very well too, today; is it too humble for you? I pity you then.

Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David. And yet her prayer was not for herself: Have mercy on me, for my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.

Many a mother feels that the greatest mercy to herself would be salvation for her child. How we are wrapped up in those who are the offspring of our body, how we desire their salvation, how deeply concerned we should be for their salvation, and how we should pray for the children of others, asking that God would have mercy on mothers by healing their daughters.

But he answered her not a word. You may pray, and pray acceptably, and yet not get an immediate answer.

Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me O Lord, thou son of David: my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.

But he answered her not a word. How painful that silence must have been! In what suspense she was.