Matthew 15:2-28 & Mark 7:5-30 In Context

Did Jesus genuinely employ the term ‘dog’ as an insult toward the Greek woman from Canaan? And is the Law inherently spiritual? Let’s tackle both queries simultaneously. For a further understanding read and watch (1, 2 )

To delve into the second question, we’ll first examine the Gospel of Matthew before turning our attention to Mark. Our objective is to show Jesus exalts the Law to be spiritual. Surpassing mere outward compliance and emphasizing matters of the heart. The foundational principles of the Old Testament covenant are delineated in Genesis 17:1-13, with particular emphasis on verse 13. While the nations stemming from Abraham are indeed his offspring, Genesis 12:1-3 and 22:15-18 depict Abraham’s role in blessing the families of the earth. This implies that the covenant’s reach extends beyond Israel alone. Stay tuned for a more thorough exploration of this subject in an upcoming article.

“13 He who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money must be circumcised, and My covenant shall be IN your flesh for an everlasting covenant.” – Genesis 17:13 (NKJV)

Essentially, the key lies in recognizing that the covenant established with Abraham, as outlined in Exodus 19:5-6 and later extended to the Israelites, primarily concerns earthly matters. This concept finds resonance in Isaiah 40:7-8. Jesus, however, raises the importance of the law beyond mere outward adherence, emphasizing matters of the heart, as expounded upon in the broader narrative of Matthew 15:2-28.

Is the Law inherently spiritual?

2 “Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.” 3 He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? 4 For God commanded, saying, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ 5 But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God”— 6 then he need not honor his father or mother.’ Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition. 7 Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: ___8 ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. 9 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ”___10 When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear and understand: 11 Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.” 12 Then His disciples came and said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” 13 But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. 14 Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.” 15 Then Peter answered and said to Him, “Explain this parable to us.” 16 So Jesus said, “Are you also still without understanding? 17 Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? 18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. 20 These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.” – Matthew 15:2-20 (NKJV)

Jesus underscores that the core of spiritual understanding lies within matters of the heart, transcending mere adherence to external laws. His mission revolved around fulfilling the Old Testament law, aiming to restore humanity to a rightful communion with God—a restoration initially intended in Exodus 19:5-6, but faltered by Israel. This restoration echoes the dominion Adam once held over the earth, as depicted in Genesis 1:26-28. Through Jesus, this divine authority is reinstated to humanity. Thus, he is portrayed as the prophetic Son of Man, symbolizing the restoration of this authority. This role, as depicted in Daniel 7:13-14 and Psalm 8:4-9, was traditionally attributed solely to the LORD, the Angel of the LORD, and the Son of Man. In John 1:1-14, Jesus is presented as the light given to those who believe, illuminating the path of spiritual understanding and redemption.

In numerous encounters, Jesus reveals that accountability lies in the intentions of the heart rather than strict adherence to Old Testament laws, as exemplified by the Pharisees. He exposes their hypocrisy, revealing how they outwardly showcased adherence to the law while masking its genuine essence with hollow rituals. This deception obscured the true spirit of the law, preventing people from genuinely honoring its intended meaning. (Refer to Matthew 15:2-11 and Mark 7:3-13 for examples.)

“33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. 34 Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. 36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it on the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”” – Matthew 12:33-37 (NKJV)

Matthew 5:17-48 (NKJV) depicts Jesus elevating the Old Testament law, emphasizing its significance in matters of the heart and raising the standard to a deeper level of challenge. He directs us to fulfill his law through placing our trust in him (John 14:15; 15:10; Galatians 6:2 & Isaiah 49:4), thereby enabling us to embody its true essence.

Did Jesus genuinely employ the term ‘dog’ as an insult toward the Greek woman from Canaan?

“21 Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.” 23 But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.” 24 But He answered and said, “I was not sent except [ei mē, article] (The same logic applies here for ei mē in a previous article) to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 Then she came and worshiped Him (Article coming soon), saying, “Lord, help me!” 26 But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” 27 And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” 28 Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.” – Matthew 15:21-28 (NKJV)

The word “dog” used here is κυνάριον kynarion like in verses Matthew 15:26 & Mark 7:27. Which is not an insult, unlike the word κύων kyōn. used in Matthew 7:6, Philippians 3:2, 2 Peter 2:22 & Revelation 22:15. This is a metaphor, comparing her to a house puppy, not that she is an actual house puppy. The next thing to note is where is the setting Jesus and the Greek woman from Canaan. She is at the “masters’ table” which is in the house. Jesus is that master with the Father (John 7:37-39, Revelations 1:17-18; 21:6-7; 22:1-3, 12-13 & 16.) She is in the Master’s house which means she will be and is with Jesus in faith because the children are Israelis. Showing a non-ethnic Israelites will become spiritual Israelites. Jesus in Mark 7:27 says “Let the children be filled first…” but we will analyze Mark 7:5-30.

The term “dog” used in Matthew 15:26 and Mark 7:27 is κυνάριον (kynarion), not κύων (kyōn), which carries a different connotation. While κύων (kyōn) can be derogatory, κυνάριον (kynarion) refers more to a household puppy rather than an insult. This distinction is crucial, as seen in Matthew 7:6 (*), Philippians 3:2 (*), 2 Peter 2:22 (*), and Revelation 22:15 (*), where the term carries a negative meaning.

Furthermore, the context of the encounter between Jesus and the Greek woman from Canaan is significant. She is portrayed as being at the “master’s table,” indicating her proximity to Jesus, who is symbolically the master along with the Father (referenced in John 7:37-39, Revelation 1:17-18; 21:6-7; 22:1-3, 12-13, and 16). This imagery suggests her inclusion in the spiritual household of Jesus, despite not being of Israeli descent.

In Mark 7:27, Jesus mentions prioritizing the filling of the children first, which aligns with the broader narrative of Mark 7:5-30. This passage highlights the transition from a focus on ethnic Israelites to a broader understanding of spiritual inclusion, where non-ethnic Israelites, like the Greek woman from Canaan, are welcomed into the fold of spiritual Israelites.

Prompting further analysis of the broader passage in Mark 7:5-30. In Matthew 15:24, the Greek phrase “im mē” implies that Jesus isn’t exclusively restricting himself to Israel. An illustration of “im mē” in 1 Corinthians 2:1-2 (particularly verse 2) doesn’t signify that Paul lacks knowledge literally. Rather, it emphasizes his intention to convey to his fellow believers in Christ the message of Jesus Christ. For a deeper analysis, please refer to the accompanying article for additional perspective.

“5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?” 6 He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. 7 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ 8 For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men—the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.” 9 He said to them, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. 10 For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ 11 But you say, ‘If a man says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban”—’ (that is, a gift to God), 12 then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, 13 making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.” 14 When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear Me, everyone, and understand: 15 There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man. 16 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!” 17 When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable. 18 So He said to them, “Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, 19 because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?” 20 And He said, “What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within and defile a man.” 24 From there He arose and went to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And He entered a house and wanted no one to know it, but He could not be hidden. 25 For a woman whose young daughter had an unclean spirit heard about Him, and she came and fell at His feet. 26 The woman was a Greek, a Syro-Phoenician by birth, and she kept asking Him to cast the demon out of her daughter. 27 But Jesus said to her, “Let the children be filled first, for it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” 28 And she answered and said to Him, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs under the table eat from the children’s crumbs.” 29 Then He said to her, “For this saying go your way; the demon has gone out of your daughter.” 30 And when she had come to her house, she found the demon gone out, and her daughter lying on the bed.” – Mark 7:5-30 (NKJV)

Don’t let anyone fool you, Jesus came for everyone, to those who will believe in him. Not just for the Israelites. God is working through the Israelites fulfilling the scriptures of the prophets.