Big Idea: Matthew demonstrates Jesus’ compassion and authority in a miraculous feeding and in healing that extends even to a Gentile, indicating that trust is the right response to Jesus.

Understanding the Text

For a third time in Matthew, Jesus withdraws from controversy (15:21; see also 12:15; 14:13) to minister with healing to the crowds (15:22, 30–31). Given that Matthew focuses almost exclusively on Jesus’ ministry to Israel (10:5–6), it is significant that the story of the healing of a Canaanite woman’s daughter is included (15:21–28; note 15:24). This is only the second encounter between Jesus and a Gentile supplicant; the first is the centurion in 8:5–13. In both cases Jesus responds to the “great faith” that these Gentiles exhibit (8:10; 15:28). The feeding of the four thousand …