The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 2 — Section 99

as eoavengers in Oriento.l towns, lrat to the thou wilt. She bad conquered ; she gaineu petted inmates of the master's house. But her wish. But we must not think that Scripture gives no warrant for thinking Christ consented because bis human feeling, that the Hebrews ever kept dogs as friends were overcome by her importunity, like the and companions, in our modem fashion; unjust judge in the parable, th<lllgh thu and our Lord adopts the language of his principle and teaching of that parable were countrymen, to put the woman in her right here beautifully illustrated. He acted all position, as one with whom Jews could have the time as God, who foreknew what he no fellowship. To take the blessings from would do. He had been leading her up to the Church of Israel in order to give them this climax; he had willed to give her an to aliens was to throw them away on un- opportunity of exhibiting this trust and worthy recipients. self-command and unfailing confidence, and Ver. 27.-And she said, Truth, Lord; or now he crowns her withhismightyeulogium, better, but she said, Yea, Lord (Revised and grants her request, rewarding her great Version). Christ's answer might have faith by e. great mercy. Her daughter waa seemed the climax of rejection, and to have made whole. St. Mark reports the worc13 at once olosed the matter for ever. Bnt her of Christ, "For this saying go thy way; love for her daughter, and her growing faith the devil is gone out of thy daughter." Ho in Jesus, overcame all seeming hindrances. does not say," I will come and heal her;" ho With a woman's ready wit, quickened by tells her that the cure is a.Ire ad y effected. urgency and affection, she seizes the oppor- Without personal contact with the sufferer, tunity, and turns Christ's own words against without any command uttered to the himself. Thou sa.yest truth, she means; possessing demon, by his silent will alone the Jews a.re the children; we are the dogs; the wonder comes to pass. This blessing and as dogs we claim our portion. This for the child was won by the mother's faith. we can receive without defrauding the The two points to be remarked in this children of any of their food. Yet; ""l, or marvellous history a.re-Christ's abnurlllal Kai ')'ii.p, for e11en; 11am et (Vulgate). The treatment of a suppliant, and that suppliant's Authorized Version injures the significance astonishing faith and perseverance. Both of the mother's reply, as if there were some- of these subjects have been noticed in the thing e.dversa.tive in the particles, which course of the Exposition. really introduce the confirmation of her Vera. 29-39.-Healing of the sick, and assent. The dogs eat of the orumbs, etc. Dogs in the East have access to the rooms, feeding of the four tl=and. (Mark vii 31 ; and live on what they can pick up or on viii 1-10.) what is. thrown to them. The fragments Ver. 29.-From thence. From the borders at meals were naturally numerous, the of Tyre and Sidon. We learn from St abundance being occasioned by the nature Mark that Jesus, making a considerable of I.he food, the use of fingers instead of circuit, traversed the territory of the teu spoons and forks, and the employment of free cities called Decapolis, situated chiefly pieces of bread e.s platters and napkins. on the east and south of the Sea of Galilee. We may paraphrase the Ce.nae.nite's reply A mountain (-rli tpos); the mountain (as thus : By calling us dogs, you virtually oh. xiv. 23). The range of hills by which the grant what I desire. You can do what I lake is bounded on the east and north-east. wish without infringing your rule, in the No particular hill seems to be indicated. justice of which I humbly acquiesce. I Sat down there. Rested a.while after his olaim nothing as e. daughter of A.bra.ham; journeyings and labours. I look only for uncovenu.nted mercies; I Ver. 30.-The incidents in this and the ask only for that portion which foils to the following verse are meutioned only by St. lot of the creatures which hold the lowest Matthew. Great multitudes. The fame of place in the household, and the loss of Jesus attracted the Jews settled in this which will never be felt. Truly by semi-Gentile district, and ont short the humbling her Jesus educated her, taught privacy which he had lately beeu enjoying her that her real plea was her unworthiness, in his apostles' company. The people that in aclmowledgment of her degrada- seized the opportunity of listeuing to his tion lay the force of her appeal. A.nd in teaching and profiting by his superhuman a.eking for this one act of meroy she is power. He.ving with them. The catalogue doing no wrong to the sons of the house. of sufferers that follows represents accw-ately Ver. 28.-0 woman, great is thy faith, the sight that meets one iu Oriental towus Jesus bud often to complain of unbelief in and villages, where the absence of medical his hearers; at no man's faith did he ever appliances o.ud the general want of surgical express surprise, exoept in the case of treatment render slight malo.dies or injurie~ another Gentile, the centurion of Caperuaum chronic aud inveterate, and fill the streets (eh viii. 10), Be it unto thee even e.s with perso!ls in all sti\gcs of disease.  1 )2 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO S'1'. MATTHEW. (on. xv. 1-30.