This week's gospel lection extends over two separate pericopes: Jesus' discussion about "What defiles?" and his encounter with the Canaanite woman who seeks healing for her possessed daughter. Although each unit presents a coherent story in itself, dovetailing the two suggests a logical extension of one to the next.

Jesus' debate over ritual cleanliness begins in 15:1 with a direct dialogue with the Pharisees and scribes who are "from Jerusalem." By specifically identifying these authorities as "from" Jerusalem, he heightens the sense of confrontation and danger that lurks under this text. The synoptic Jesus only heads toward Jerusalem once for his final, tragic encounter with the religious leadership his crucifixion and death.

In verse 10, Jesus completes his private dialogue and now call…