Why does the Canaanite woman persist even after Jesus told her that it is not right to throw the children’s bread to dogs?
Her persistence shows her faith: affirming Jesus’ words (Nai, kyrie: yes, Lord
) and using Jesus’ illustration to repeat her request. Her faith was not just confidence in his help; it also showed a personal relationship with him, calling him the Son of David
(Matthew 15:22) and Lord,
confessing him as the Giver of the bread of life, and accepting even crumbs from the table prepared for Israel.
Through her persistence, her faith is revealed to all. The woman not only affirmed Jesus’ words (nai kyrie—yes, Lord
) but even managed, by employing Jesus’ own illustration, to repeat her request. Her faith was unshakable. It was not merely a firm confidence that she would receive help; it also expressed a personal relationship with Jesus himself. She addressed him as the Son of David
(Matthew 15:22) and as Lord.
Moreover, she recognized him as the Giver of the bread of life and was content to receive even a mere crumb from the table prepared for Israel.1
27 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”