Matthew 15:26
But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀποκριθεὶς
he answered
G611
ἀποκριθεὶς
he answered
Strong's:
G611
Word #:
3 of 16
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
καλὸν
meet
G2570
καλὸν
meet
Strong's:
G2570
Word #:
7 of 16
properly, beautiful, but chiefly (figuratively) good (literally or morally), i.e., valuable or virtuous (for appearance or use, and thus distinguished
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
βαλεῖν
to cast
G906
βαλεῖν
to cast
Strong's:
G906
Word #:
14 of 16
to throw (in various applications, more or less violent or intense)
Cross References
Matthew 7:6Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.Ephesians 2:12That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:Philippians 3:2Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.Revelation 22:15For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.Romans 9:4Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;Galatians 2:15We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,
Historical Context
First-century Jews commonly referred to Gentiles as 'dogs' to distinguish God's covenant people from pagans. However, Jesus softened this by using 'little dogs' (puppies, household pets) rather than street scavengers. In affluent homes, children ate at the table while household pets waited beneath for falling morsels. Jesus used this domestic scene to frame the salvation-historical order: blessings to Israel first, then to Gentiles through Israel's Messiah.
Questions for Reflection
- How did Jesus's 'harsh' words actually create the opportunity for the woman to demonstrate greater faith than anyone in Israel had shown?
- What does the woman's refusal to be offended by Jesus's 'dog' reference teach about humility in approaching God's grace?
- How does understanding the 'children first, then household pets' imagery help you appreciate God's redemptive timeline without seeing it as favoritism?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs (οὐκ ἔστιν καλὸν λαβεῖν τὸν ἄρτον τῶν τέκνων καὶ βαλεῖν τοῖς κυνάριοις, ouk estin kalon labein ton arton tōn teknōn kai balein tois kynariois)—Jesus used the diminutive kynariois (little dogs, house dogs), not the harsh term for wild scavengers. 'Children's bread' referred to blessings promised to Israel. This statement tested the woman's faith to its breaking point.
Christ's words, though seemingly harsh, actually invited a response of faith. He was testing her theology: Would she dispute Israel's privilege, or humbly acknowledge it while appealing to grace? The 'dogs' metaphor reflected common Jewish-Gentile distinctions but used the softer term for household pets. Jesus was creating an opportunity for her to demonstrate extraordinary faith that even Israel lacked.