Lent
The Second Sunday in Lent (Reminiscere)
Reminiscere · March 1, 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
The Canaanite woman's persistent faith read as a boundary-crossing hope for the world, not Israel alone.
Matthew 15:(10-20), 21-28 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
A Reformed preaching commentary on the woman who will not be turned away and Jesus' praise of her faith.
Matthew 15 - Enduring Word Bible Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik walks the encounter at Tyre and Sidon and the healing of the daughter verse by verse.
Matthew 15 Commentary Precept Austin
Verse-level notes and word studies on the exchange over children, dogs, and crumbs.
Matthew 15:21 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentators gathered on the Canaanite woman's cry for mercy.
Background & Word Study
Matthew - Enter the Bible Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary background on Matthew's audience and its widening vision of the Gentiles.
Book of Matthew Overview, Chapters 1-13 BibleProject
Animated overview placing the Tyre and Sidon encounter within Matthew's mission narrative.
Matthew 15:21 Interlinear BibleHub
Greek text with parsing for the words Canaanite, mercy, and great faith.
The Church Fathers
Sermons & Reflections
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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