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Jesus was beyond the borders of Palestine, on heathen soil. He had not extended his travels in order to carry his ministry to the heathen; but he was in retirement. He had left Galilee because the Galilaeans were in a restless state - many of them perplexed by his teaching and turning from him, and also because the official teachers were seriously impeding his work. After this our Lord never resumed his old open ministry by the seashore and on the hillside. Yet even during his retirement he could not resist the pleadings of a mother's love.

I. THE CONDUCT OF THE MOTHER. The vivid picture given to us by the evangelist sets before us a very remarkable character. Let us observe some of its most interesting features.

1. Devoted love. A mother is just absorbed in her devotion to her poor daughter. As is often seen, the very affliction of the child the more endears her to the mother. A mother's love is no mere sentiment, and it is not satisfied to expend itself in idle tears. It inspires a keen and energetic interest. The mother is lifted above her people, and is carried forward to attempt what others never thought of, because her love will not permit her to give up her hope and her effort.

2. Rare faith.

(1) The woman was a heathen. Yet, like the centurion of Capernaum, she had a faith greater than that of any Jew or Jewess. Thus, although our Lord's immediate ministry is to Israel, it is manifest, even while this is being carried out, that other peoples must share its benefits.

(2) She recognized the Messiahship of Christ. Though a heathen, she had learnt to share the hope of Israel. In the time of his exile, depression, and disappointment, she did not fail to recognize the very Christ of God.

3. Unyielding persistency. The wonder is that this woman would take no refusal; and yet shall we call it a wonder at all when we remember that she was a mother? Here is the greatest instance in all history of the victory of persevering prayer.

4. Quick inventiveness. Jesus was a Master of the fine art of repartee; but for once he gladly allows that his words are perfectly met and replied to, and he generously leaves the last word with his applicant, in this word there is a full admission of all Christ said, and no departure from perfect humility, and yet there is a brilliant shaft of wit as modest as it is effective. There is room for the quick intellect in the kingdom of heaven.

II. THE BEHAVIOUR OF CHRIST. On the surface this is mysterious and apparently ungenerous; but a fair consideration of the whole narrative will not leave any ground of complaint against it.

1. A true statement. The mission of Christ was to the Jews. This was a fact not to be gainsaid. Though he came for the salvation of the world, his method was to begin with Israel and to confine his personal labours on earth to the people who were to be his instrument for saving others.

2. A test of faith. Our Lord's discouragement of the applicant would have been unkind if she had been a weak and timorous person. But with his keen intuition of character he could see at a glance that she was a woman of courage and confidence. It was an acknowledgment of her good qualities that permitted the severe test to be applied to her.

3. A final blessing. In the end this eager mother got all she sought after, and therefore she had no complaint against Christ, but, on the contrary, good ground for thankfulness. Jesus Christ does not refuse any true applicant for his grace. He may seem to discourage at first, but in the end faith is always rewarded. - W.F.A.

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KJV: Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.

WEB: Jesus went out from there, and withdrew into the region of Tyre and Sidon.