Matthew 15:27

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Matthew 15:27 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But she said, Yea, Lord: for even the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters` table.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But she said, Yea, Lord: for even the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters` table.
Matthew 15:27 — American Standard Version

Context — Matthew 15

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
27But she said, Yea, Lord: for even the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters` table.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And she saith, truth, Lord, etc.] She owns all that he had said to be true, that he was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel: that she was indeed but a dog, a poor sinful creature, and unworthy of any favour; and that it was not right and fitting that all the children’s bread should be taken from them and given to dogs: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their master’s table. The Syriac and Persic versions add “and live”: thus she wisely lays hold upon and improves in a very beautiful manner, in her own favour, what seemed to be so much against her. It is observed f909 of the Syrophoenicians in general, that they have all, in their common talk, something hdu kai…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“This narrative is also found in Mark 7:24-30. The coasts of Tyre and Sidon - These cities were on the seacoast or shore of the Mediterranean. See the notes at Matthew 11:21. Jesus went there for the purpose of concealment Mark 7:24, perhaps still to avoid Herod. Matthew 15:22 A woman of Canaan - This woman is called, also, a Greek, a Syro-Phoenician by birth, Mark 7:26 In ancient times, the whole land, including Tyre and Sidon, was in the possession of the Canaanites, and called Canaan. The Phoenicians were descended from the Canaanites. The country, including Tyre and Sidon, was called Phoenicia, or Syro-Phoenicia. That country was taken by the Greeks under Alexander the Great, and those…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Truth: Mat 8:8; Gen 32:10; Job 40:4, Job 40:5, Job 42:2-6; Psa 51:4, Psa 51:5; Eze 16:63; Dan 9:18; Luk 7:6, Luk 7:7, Luk 15:18, Luk 15:19, Luk 18:13, Luk 23:40-42; Rom 3:4, Rom 3:19; Co1 15:8, Co1 15:9; Ti1 1:13-15 yet: Mat 5:45; Luk 16:21; Rom 3:29, Rom 10:12; Eph 3:8, Eph 3:19 Matthew 15:28”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification