23: Healing and Feeding (Mt 15:21-39)

I.       The Basics

A.     Setting

After the encounter with the scribes and Pharisees from Jerusalem, the Lord Jesus made a special trip up north to the region of Tyre and Sidon. The miracle of healing the Canaanite woman’s daughter sheds light on the eventual mission to the Gentiles. Upon returning to Galilee, Jesus again drew great multitudes which came to him for healing. The Lord fed the multitudes once more, in a manner similar to His feeding of the five thousand in chapter 14.

B.     Key Verse

            “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” (15:28).

C.     Did You Know…?

1.       Canaan/Canaanites (15:22): Centuries earlier that area’s inhabitants were called Canaanites (Num 13:29). ^12/55

2.       Magdala/Magadan (15:39): A small town in Galilee, on the W shore of the Sea of Galilee, between Capernaum and Tiberias, mentioned only in Matt. 15:39 (“Dalmanutha” in the parallel passage, Mark 8:10), and may be the same as Migdal-el (Josh 19:38). It was the birthplace of Mary Magdalene…It is now probably the small village of el-Mejdel, three miles NW of Tiberias. ^10/798

II.    Observation

A.     Outline

 (15:21-31)

(21-28)

(29-31)

(15:32-39)

B.     Key Words/Phrases

III. Segment Analysis

A.     15:21-28

1a. Did Jesus’ words and actions show that he was concerned for the Israelites only? Explain your answer.

1b. What does this story teach us about Jesus’ mission to the Gentiles?

2. It seems to be against the Lord’s nature to say such degrading words to the Canaanite woman (26). Why do you think He did so?

3a. What attitude did the disciples show with their words?

3b. How are we sometimes like the disciples?

4a. In what ways did the Canaanite woman show her faith?

4b. Have you ever been discouraged when your prayer is not answered and even thought that God doesn’t love you as much as He loves his other children? What aspects of faith found in the Canaanite woman do you still lack?

5. Compare the Canaanite woman with the scribes and Pharisees in their attitude toward the Lord (see 15:12). Could there be any significance to the sharp contrast shown in the Gospel records?

6. What do the woman’s words in 27 teach us about the right way of seeking God’s mercy?

7. Could this story be a support for the effectiveness of infant baptism? If so, how?

B.     15:29-31

8. Observe the actions of the multitudes and the Lord. What do the healings teach us about Jesus and His mission?

9. Why is it significant that the people “glorified the God of Israel”?

C.     15:32-39

10. Compare this miracle with that of 14:13-21.

11a. How did the disciples show their lack of faith?

11b. What human weakness did the disciples reflect? What can we do about this weakness?