Jesus refers to a Syrophoenician woman as a dog. Was it out of harsh reluctance to help her or is something more going on?

Our text in this study is: Mark 7:24-30

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Did Jesus actually insult a woman calling for help? In this verse-by-verse Bible study of Mark 7:24-30, we encounter one of the most difficult and controversial moments in the earthly ministry of Jesus. A Gentile woman falls at His feet begging for her daughter to be delivered from a demon, and Jesus responds by saying it is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.

In this message, titled “Let The Little Dog Eat,” we dig deep into the context, the original language, and the theology behind this interaction to understand what is really happening. Is the Lord being harsh, or is He revealing a specific progression in God’s plan of salvation?

We examine the setting in the region of Tyre and Sidon—modern-day Lebanon—where Jesus sought seclusion and rest. This raises important questions about the sovereignty of God and the free will of man. There is a teaching that God causes every atom and activity, yet the text shows us that Jesus desired privacy but could not escape notice. We discuss how God is powerful enough to accomplish His will while allowing human choices, even when those choices interrupt His plans.

This video also explores the “hard sayings of Jesus.” We look at the distinction between the “children” (the lost sheep of Israel) and the “dogs” (Gentiles), and how this Syrophoenician woman responds not with offense, but with incredible humility and faith. She accepts her position outside the covenant of Israel and appeals solely to the grace of the Master. This is the only time in Mark’s Gospel that Jesus is addressed as “Lord,” and it comes from a pagan-born woman.

We also compare this account to 1 Kings 17, where the prophet Elijah ministered to a widow in this same region. While Elijah had to pray repeatedly for a miracle, Jesus heals the woman’s daughter instantly from a distance, proving that He is greater than the prophets—He is the Messiah and God in the flesh.

Join us as we learn what it looks like to approach God with no pretense of self-righteousness, relying entirely on His mercy. This study is for anyone who wants to understand the Bible, the nature of grace, and what it means to make Jesus the true Master of your life.

Topics: Gospel of Mark, Mark 7, Syrophoenician Woman, Jesus heals, Bible Study, Calvary Chapel, Expository Preaching, Sovereignty of God, Free Will, Theology, Tyre and Sidon, Christian Faith, Humility, Grace.