John Calvin Commentary 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." — Matthew 15:23 (ASV)

But he made no reply to her. In various ways the Evangelists commend the faith of this woman. Here they present to us her unshaken constancy; for the silence of Christ was a kind of refusal, and it is surprising that she was not discouraged by this trial, but her persistence in prayer was a proof of her perseverance. This appears, however, to be inconsistent with the nature of faith and of calling upon God, as it is described by Paul, who assures us that no one can pray properly until he has heard the word of God.

How shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?
and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? (Romans 10:14).

Who then will say that this woman had faith, who takes courage from her own feelings, though Christ is silent? But as Christ has two ways of speaking and of being silent, it must be observed that though he withheld the words of his mouth at that time, yet he spoke inwardly to the woman's mind, and so this secret inspiration served as a substitute for outward preaching. Besides, her prayer arose out of the hearing of faith (Romans 10:17); and, therefore, though Christ does not immediately reply, she continually hears the sound of that doctrine⁴¹⁷ which she had already learned, that Christ came as a Redeemer.

In this way the Lord often acts towards those who believe in him; he speaks to them, and yet is silent. Relying on the testimonies of Scripture, where they hear him speaking, they firmly believe that he will be gracious to them; and yet he does not immediately reply to their wishes and prayers, but, on the contrary, seems as if he did not hear. We see then that the design of Christ’s silence was not to extinguish the woman’s faith, but rather to sharpen her zeal and inflame her fervor. But if a small seed of doctrine in a woman of Canaan yielded such abundant fruit, it is not fitting for us to be discouraged if at any time he delays and does not immediately grant a favorable answer.

Send her away. The disciples present no request in favor of the woman, but as they are annoyed by her persistence, they desire that, in some way or another, she may be dismissed. It is a childish contrivance, which the Papists have attempted to support using this passage, that departed saints are allowed to plead for us; for, even if we grant that this woman asked the disciples for some favor or assistance—which, however, cannot be proved from the passage—still there is a wide difference between the dead and the living. It must also be observed that, if they really intended to help her by their advocacy, they obtain nothing.

⁴¹⁷ “Toutesfois ceste doctrine ne laisse pas tousiours de retentir en son coeur;” — “yet that doctrine does not fail to resound continually in her heart.”;” — “yet that doctrine does not fail to resound continually in her heart.”