Time after Pentecost · Year A
Proper 15
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
Working Preacher: Commentary on Matthew 15:(10-20), 21-28 Working Preacher
Lutheran lectionary commentary on the Canaanite woman's faith for Year A.
Enduring Word: Matthew 15 Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse-by-verse evangelical notes on the whole chapter.
Precept Austin: Matthew 15 Commentary Precept Austin
Study page gathering many conservative commentators on Matthew 15.
BibleHub: Commentaries on Matthew 15:21 BibleHub
Parallel classic commentaries keyed to the encounter in Tyre and Sidon.
StudyLight: Matthew 15 Commentaries StudyLight
Many complete commentaries on Matthew 15 gathered on one passage page.
Background & Word Study
Enter the Bible: Matthew Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary's scholarly introduction to Matthew's structure and themes.
BibleProject: Matthew 14-28 Overview BibleProject
Animated overview of the second half of Matthew, including the mission beyond Israel.
BibleHub: Matthew 15 Interlinear BibleHub
Greek-English interlinear for word-level study of Matthew 15.
The Church Fathers
Worship & Prayers
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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