R
Roger12345
Guest
Every time I read the story of Jesus and the Syro- Phoenician woman the though comes into my mind that what Jesus said was bigoted. Am I the only one who has this problem?
- Status
1
1ke
Guest
Jesus is God. How exactly is the creator of all things a bigot?
R
Roger12345
Guest
I’m not saying the idea is right, I’m just saying it comes into my mind every time I read the story. Is this a common problem?
Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.” But He [Jesus] answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.” But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.
Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.” But He [Jesus] answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.” But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.
G
GEddie
Guest
My understanding is that this was a test of her faith; one which she passed beautifully.
At least, that is what a priest I trust deeply has said about this scripture.
ICXC NIKA
At least, that is what a priest I trust deeply has said about this scripture.
ICXC NIKA
W
Wynfrith77
Guest
I have been told the same.
D
Derrickdcosta
Guest
Dear Roger
George Bernard Shaw had a similar view as yours and of course it is peculiar to Shaw to be quite direct in putting down his views most directly as you did, he in point of fact called the response “rude”.
However, most of the commentaries, I read indicate that Jesus, used the common term for insulting the cannanite people, but only to display the poor womens perfect observance of the virtue of humility.
Many saints have commented in words very similar to what Cornelius a’ Lapide, comments on the Canaanite woman’s response, Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters – “She means to say, ‘It is altogether true what Thou sayest, 0 My Saviour. I acknowledge that I am a worthless dog, and not worthy that the children’s bread should be given to me, who am a Gentile. Yet the dogs and the curs (in Greek the word is the same, κυνάρια) are wont to eat the crumbs of bread which fall from the tables of their master’s children. Nourish me then as Thy dog. I cannot leave my master’s table. You cannot drive me from Thee either by rough words or by blows. I will not leave Thee, until thou give me what I ask. Give me therefore, 0 most merciful Lord, only a crumb, give me this least favour of my daughter’s health. Let this one crumb fall among us Gentiles, and I will gather it up.’
We would not have received this example of this virtue of humility had Jesus not said what he did, for it is important to know what Jesus tested, by looking at what he did not intend to test in my opinion:
George Bernard Shaw had a similar view as yours and of course it is peculiar to Shaw to be quite direct in putting down his views most directly as you did, he in point of fact called the response “rude”.
However, most of the commentaries, I read indicate that Jesus, used the common term for insulting the cannanite people, but only to display the poor womens perfect observance of the virtue of humility.
Many saints have commented in words very similar to what Cornelius a’ Lapide, comments on the Canaanite woman’s response, Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters – “She means to say, ‘It is altogether true what Thou sayest, 0 My Saviour. I acknowledge that I am a worthless dog, and not worthy that the children’s bread should be given to me, who am a Gentile. Yet the dogs and the curs (in Greek the word is the same, κυνάρια) are wont to eat the crumbs of bread which fall from the tables of their master’s children. Nourish me then as Thy dog. I cannot leave my master’s table. You cannot drive me from Thee either by rough words or by blows. I will not leave Thee, until thou give me what I ask. Give me therefore, 0 most merciful Lord, only a crumb, give me this least favour of my daughter’s health. Let this one crumb fall among us Gentiles, and I will gather it up.’
We would not have received this example of this virtue of humility had Jesus not said what he did, for it is important to know what Jesus tested, by looking at what he did not intend to test in my opinion:
- I feel he did not intend to test her patience and/or desperation: She was desperate and so many of us are.
She went to our Lord, and Jesus well knew that she did not lack faith, but many around him were justifiably proud of their Jewish identity so he tests her humility and by doing so also tests her patience. - I also feel he did not test her wit or at least intend to, but as you can see by her direct answers she obtained all her heart desired and gave us an example in our prayerlife and wisdom and wit in making a good response.
God bless
Derrick
D
Derrickdcosta
Guest
Dear Roger
The exact quote of Shaw “At all events, there the story is; and it is by no means the only instance in which Matthew reports Jesus, in spite of the charm of his preaching, as extremely uncivil in private intercourse.” from Androcles and the Lion, by George Bernard Shaw and as I mentioned is a purely human view of the text.
Regards
Derrick
The exact quote of Shaw “At all events, there the story is; and it is by no means the only instance in which Matthew reports Jesus, in spite of the charm of his preaching, as extremely uncivil in private intercourse.” from Androcles and the Lion, by George Bernard Shaw and as I mentioned is a purely human view of the text.
Regards
Derrick
- Status