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.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀπεκρίθη
he answered
G611
ἀπεκρίθη
he answered
Strong's:
G611
Word #:
4 of 20
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
αὐτήν,
her
G846
αὐτήν,
her
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 20
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
λόγον·
a word
G3056
λόγον·
a word
Strong's:
G3056
Word #:
6 of 20
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
προσελθόντες
came
G4334
προσελθόντες
came
Strong's:
G4334
Word #:
8 of 20
to approach, i.e., (literally) come near, visit, or (figuratively) worship, assent to
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτήν,
her
G846
αὐτήν,
her
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
11 of 20
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
αὐτήν,
her
G846
αὐτήν,
her
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 20
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
λέγοντες,
saying
G3004
λέγοντες,
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
14 of 20
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Ἀπόλυσον
Send
G630
Ἀπόλυσον
Send
Strong's:
G630
Word #:
15 of 20
to free fully, i.e., (literally) relieve, release, dismiss (reflexively, depart), or (figuratively) let die, pardon or (specially) divorce
αὐτήν,
her
G846
αὐτήν,
her
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
16 of 20
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὅτι
for
G3754
ὅτι
for
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
17 of 20
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
κράζει
she crieth
G2896
κράζει
she crieth
Strong's:
G2896
Word #:
18 of 20
properly, to "croak" (as a raven) or scream, i.e., (genitive case) to call aloud (shriek, exclaim, intreat)
Historical Context
This Canaanite woman was a Gentile from the region of Tyre and Sidon (v. 21), ancient Phoenician cities with a history of paganism and opposition to Israel. The disciples' response—'Send her away; for she crieth after us'—reveals their Jewish prejudice. Jesus's ministry was primarily to 'the lost sheep of the house of Israel' (v. 24) during his earthly ministry, with the full inclusion of Gentiles coming after Pentecost. Yet even during this 'Jewish phase,' Jesus showed that faith transcends ethnicity.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you respond when God seems silent to your urgent prayers, and how can you persevere in faith like this Canaanite woman?
- What does Christ's initial silence teach about the relationship between testing, persistence, and deepening faith?
- Why would Jesus use this method of apparent rejection to ultimately reveal the greatness of Gentile faith to his Jewish disciples?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
But he answered her not a word (ὁ δὲ οὐκ ἀπεκρίθη αὐτῇ λόγον, ho de ouk apekrithē autē logon)—Christ's silence toward the Canaanite woman's plea seems harsh, even cruel. Yet this wasn't rejection but testing, drawing out faith through resistance. The phrase 'not a word' emphasizes complete silence—no acknowledgment, no comfort, no immediate help.
Jesus's silence served multiple purposes: it tested the woman's persistence, revealed her genuine faith, instructed the disciples about grace transcending ethnic boundaries, and demonstrated that apparent divine silence doesn't equal divine indifference. Sometimes God's greatest blessings follow his most profound silences, refining desperation into unshakeable faith.