Pentecost Season · Year A
Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
August 16, 2026
Overview & Insights
“O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” (Matthew 15:28)
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 follows just one chapter after the feeding of the five thousand (14:13–21) and reiterates Jesus’ compassion and authority as well as motifs of a new exodus (15:32, 36–37).
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Commentary
Commentary on Matthew 15:[10-20] 21-28 Working Preacher
Luther Seminary exegesis of the Canaanite woman whose bold faith crosses a boundary.
Matthew 15: The Canaanite Woman's Faith Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse by verse evangelical commentary on the whole chapter.
Matthew 15 Commentary Precept Austin
A deep gathering of quotations, word studies, and cross references worked verse by verse.
Matthew 15:21 Commentaries BibleHub
Aggregates classic commentaries on the Canaanite woman in one place.
Barnes' Notes on Matthew 15 StudyLight
Albert Barnes' notes on the whole chapter of Matthew 15.
The Twentieth Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year A) Catholic Productions · Brant Pitre
Dr. Brant Pitre links the Canaanite woman to Isaiah's welcome of the foreigner to God's house.
Twentieth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle A, Sunday Connection Loyola Press · Sunday Connection
Catholic background, reflection questions, and family prayer for the Sunday's readings.
Background & Word Study
Enter the Bible: Matthew Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary background on the Gospel of Matthew, its structure and themes.
Gospel of Matthew 14-28 Overview BibleProject
An animated overview of the second half of Matthew, including Jesus and the nations.
Matthew 15:21 Greek Interlinear BibleHub
Greek word by word with parsing and Strong's numbers for the Canaanite woman's plea.
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
What does the Canaanite woman show?
A Gentile mother persists past silence and refusal, trusting even the crumbs of mercy, and Jesus marvels at her great faith and heals her daughter.
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