"Behold, a Canaanitish woman came out from those borders, and cried, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, Thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil." Matt. 15:22, R. V. The people of this district were of the old Canaanite race. They were idolaters, and were despised and hated by the Jews. To this class belonged the woman who now came to Jesus. She was a heathen, and was therefore excluded from the advantages which the Jews daily enjoyed. There 400 were many Jews living among the Phoenicians, and the tidings of Christ's work had penetrated to this region. Some of the people had listened to His words and had witnessed His wonderful works. This woman had heard of the prophet, who, it was reported, healed all manner of diseases. As she heard of His power, hope sprang up in her heart. Inspired by a mother's love, she determined to present her daughter's case to Him. It was her resolute purpose to bring her affliction to Jesus. He must heal her child. She had sought help from the heathen gods, but had obtained no relief. And at times she was tempted to think, What can this Jewish teacher do for me? But the word had come, He heals all manner of diseases, whether those who come to Him for help are rich or poor. She determined not to lose her only hope.

Og se, en kananæisk kvinde kom fra de egne, råbte og sagde: Herre, Davids søn! forbarm dig over mig! min datter plages slemt af en ond ånd! Matt. 15,22. Befolkningen i denne egn tilhørte den gamle kananæiske folkestamme. De var afgudsdyrkere, og de var hadede og foragtede af jøderne. Det var en kvinde af denne slags, der nu kom til Jesus. Hun var hedning, og derfor var hun udelukket fra de rettigheder, som jøderne daglig nød godt af. Der var mange jøder, som boede blandt fønikerne, og rygtet om Kristi gerning var trængt helt op til denne egn. Nogle blandt folket havde lyttet til hans ord og havde været vidne til hans undergerninger. Denne kvinde havde hørt tale om profeten, om hvem man sagde, at han helbredte alle slags sygdomme. Da hun hørte om hans kraft, vågnede håbet i hendes sjæl. Opfyldt af moderlig kærlighed besluttede hun at fortælle ham om sin datters tilfælde. Det var hendes faste beslutning at komme til Jesus med sin sorg. Han måtte helbrede hendes barn. Hun havde søgt hjælp hos de hedenske guder, men det havde ikke bragt nogen lettelse. Og til tider følte hun sig fristet til at tænke: Hvad kan denne jødiske lærer gøre for mig. Men hun havde hørt dette rygte: han helbreder alle slags sygdomme, hvad enten det er rige eller fattige, der kommer til ham. Hun besluttede ikke at slippe sit eneste håb.