Matthew 15:22

Verse Matthew 15:22. A woman of Canaan] Matthew gives her this name because of the people from whom she sprung-the descendants of Canaan, Judges 1:31-7; but Mark calls her a Syrophenician, because of the country where she dwelt. The Canaanites and Phoenicians have been often confounded. This is frequently the case in the Septuagint. Compare Genesis 46:10, with Exodus 6:15, where the same person is called a Phoenician in the one place, and a Canaanite in the other. See also the same version in Exodus 16:35; Joshua 5:12.

The state of this woman is a proper emblem of the state of a sinner, deeply conscious of the misery of his soul.

Have mercy an me, c.] How proper is this prayer for a penitent! There are many excellencies contained in it

1. It is short;

2. humble;

3. full of faith;

4. fervent;

5. modest;

6. respectful;

7. rational;

8. relying only on the mercy of God;

9. persevering.

Can one who sees himself a slave of the devil, beg with too much earnestness to be delivered from his thraldom?

Son of David] An essential character of the true Messiah.