Section 15:21–28
A Gentile woman strongly believed in Jesus
In this section, Jesus left his own country and met a Gentile woman. This woman had a daughter who was possessed by a demon. At first, Jesus refused to help the woman. He told her that his ministry was to the Jews. But the woman showed persistence and great faith. Jesus rewarded her faith by healing her daughter. He did the healing from a distance by only speaking some words.
This story follows the story about the spiritually “blind” Pharisees. It shows that Gentiles can also have true faith. While Jesus was on the earth, his ministry was primarily to the Jews. But he also ministered to Gentiles.
Here are some other possible headings for this section:
The Faith of a Gentile Woman (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Jesus Helps a Non-Jewish Woman (New Century Version)
There is a parallel passage for this section in Mark 7:24–30.
Paragraph 15:21–28
15:21a
The story in 15:21–28 began sometime after the story in 15:1–20 ended. The Greek text does not indicate how much time passed between these two stories. In some languages, it is natural to begin a story with a time word or phrase. If your language is like that, use an expression here that is not too specific. For example:
Then (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
After that
Leaving that place, Jesus: This clause means that Jesus left the area of Gennesaret. He had been in Gennesaret since 14:34. The fact that he went to the district of Tyre and Sidon means that he also left the district of Galilee. That meant that he also left the country of the Jews.
The disciples are with Jesus in 15:23. So the disciples also left the area with him.
Here are some other ways to translate this clause:
Jesus left that place (Good News Translation)
-or-
Jesus left Galilee (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Jesus ⌊and his disciples⌋ left there
15:21b
withdrew: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as withdrew in this context means “left,” “moved away,” or “went to a safe place.” He withdrew from the conflict with the Pharisees. This word also occurs in 12:15a and 14:13b.
The distance he traveled is about 40–50 kilometers (25–30 miles) and over some hills and down to the seacoast. It is a walk of several days.
Here are some other ways to translate this verb:
and went away (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
went (NET Bible)
the district of Tyre and Sidon: Tyre and Sidon were towns in the country of Phoenicia. Phoenicia was not a Jewish country. The phrase the district of Tyre and Sidon refers to the land around these towns.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
the area of Tyre and Sidon (New Century Version)
-or-
the region of Tyre and Sidon (God’s Word)
-or-
the territory near the cities of Tyre and Sidon (Good News Translation)
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