Children's Bread Not for Dogs - Matthew 15:26

Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus, “departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, you Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she cries after us. But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then came she and worshiped him, saying, Lord, help me”, and in chapter fifteen and verse twenty-six of his book, Matthew shares how Jesus told the woman, “it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs” where we read:

But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.

The verse reads, “But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, ...”. Matthew began with the words, “but he answered” which means “nevertheless, moreover and Jesus responded” “and said” or “uttered, declared and proclaimed”, “it is not meet” which means “it is not good, excellent in nature, genuine, precious or approved” “to take” or “to lay hold of, claim, procure or remove” “the children's bread” which means “the food composed of flour mixed with water and baked that belongs to a child”. Matthew shared how Jesus declared that it was not “good” to take away a child's food or bread.

The verse goes on to say, “... and to cast it to dogs.” Matthew continued with the words, “and to cast it” which means “and to throw, pour out or scatter the children's food” “to dogs” or “to the little dogs or puppies”. Matthew shared how Jesus further told how it was not good to take a child's food and give it to little puppies.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see Jesus drawing out the faith of this woman. Her desire and belief was that Jesus could heal her “demon possessed” daughter, and Jesus employed a statement that inferred that He should not take what belonged to the Jewish people and give it to “Gentiles”. Gentiles were often known as and called “Gentile dogs”, and this usually diminished their value among people, however, this woman could care less about other people's evaluation of her. She desired her “daughter” to be set free, and she knew Jesus could do it. God desires a passionate, loving relationship with every person through His Son Jesus, and when they yield their lives to Him in faith and trust, regardless of their status among people, He is ready and able to “save”.

Next time Matthew shares how the woman told Jesus, “the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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