Mark 7:27

ἔλεγεν. Mt. again substitutes εἶπεν, as in Mark 7:14.

Ἄφες πρῶτον χορτασθῆναι τὰ τέκνα. See on Mark 6:42 and cf. Mark 10:14. In Mark 15:36 we have the subj. after ἄφετε. “The children” are the Jews, but πρῶτον implies that the others will have their turn (John 10:16; John 12:32; John 17:20; Acts 1:8; Acts 13:47). This important πρῶτον is omitted in Mt. It mitigates the harsh refusal.

ἐστιν καλόν. The expression is freq. in Mk. Cf. Mark 9:5; Mark 9:42-43; Mark 9:45; Mark 9:47; Mark 14:21. Christ’s reply illustrates the principle that, where faith is strong, He seems to hold aloof, to bring the faith to perfection; whereas weak faith is encouraged (Mark 5:36; Mark 9:23).

τοῖς κυναρίοις. The diminutive is another mitigation. The Gentiles are not called “dogs” but “doggies,” not outside scavengers (Psalms 59:7; Psalms 59:15), but household companions (τὰ κυνίδια τῆς οἰκίας, Orig.). In late Greek, diminutives sometimes lose their force, e.g. ὠτάριον (Mark 14:47), ὠτίον (Matthew 26:51); but the dimin. has point here. Contrast κύνες (Matthew 7:6; Philippians 3:2; Revelation 22:15). Vulg. spoils this by having canibus in Christ’s Saying and catelli in her reply.