Why did the Canaanite woman ask Jesus to help her even after he said that he had only been sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel?
After Jesus told her that he had only been sent to the lost sheep of Israel, she refused to be discouraged. She came to the house where Jesus was (Mark 7:24–25), fell at his feet, and stayed there (as the Greek verb form in Matthew 15:25 implies). She may not have known the theology of the situation, but she knew that Jesus could help her. Her faith was an unshakable steadfast trust (Matthew 15:27).
After Jesus said to the woman that he had only been sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, the disciples said nothing more, and the woman refused to be discouraged. She proceeded to come to the house where Jesus was staying (Mark 7:24–25), fell at his feet, and remained there (as the original Greek verb form in Matthew 15:25 suggests). She may not have understood much of the theological background of the situation; she only knew that Jesus could help her. Her faith can therefore not be reduced to a kind of superstitious hope for a miracle, but it was truly a steadfast trust that could not be shaken (Matthew 15:27).1
The woman perseveres—she comes closer, continues to believe, falls before Jesus, and reiterates her plea. In her words one hears a simple and urgent cry: Help me.
2
23 But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.”