PERSISTENT FAITH: LESSONS FROM A CANAANITE WOMAN | Matthew 15:21–28

INTRODUCTION

Life often brings challenges that test the strength of our faith. There are times when everything is going good and we feel that our faith is good but at times we may feel our faith is on shaky ground. During such times, we may feel like God is silent or distant. In Matthew 15:21–28, we are invited to one such moment. A Gentile woman—a Canaanite—approaches Jesus on behalf of her suffering daughter. It is a brief but powerful encounter that teaches us what true faith looks like in the midst of adversity. At first glance, the story is about healing, but when we look deeper, it becomes a powerful lesson in what true, persistent faith looks like. This woman, who remains unnamed in the text, becomes a surprising example of great faith—so great, in fact, that Jesus Himself praises her for it. Her persistence shows us what it means to seek God when hope seems out of reach.

Context: What’s striking is that in the previous chapter (Matthew 14:31), we see Peter walked on water but faltered when he took his eyes off Jesus.  Peter is rebuked for his “little faith,” while here, a Gentile woman—a Canaanite, an outsider—is praised by Jesus for her “great faith.” This contrast compels us to ask: What made her faith great? And more importantly, how can we cultivate such faith in our own lives?

1. Great Faith Recognizes Jesus as Lord and Seeks Him Wholeheartedly. (vv. 21–22)

“Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, ‘Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.’”

Up until this point, Jesus’ ministry was primarily among the Jews in Matthew’s gospel. But now, Jesus had just finished dealing with religious leaders who were more concerned about ritual purity than real transformation. He intentionally travels to the Gentile region of Tyre and Sidon—unclean lands, areas known for their history of idolatry, pride, and injustice. This is significant, as Jesus enters what was considered “unclean” territory.

Out of this unlikely setting emerges an even more unlikely figure: a Canaanite woman who, by all accounts, shouldn’t be part of the story. Notably, this is the only time in the New Testament that the term Canaanite is used—evoking memories of Israel’s ancient enemies, those historically opposed to God’s people. She has no name, no status, no right to approach a Jewish rabbi—let alone the Messiah. But she comes.

She is crying out in desperation to Jesus. She pleads not for herself but for her daughter, who is tormented by a demon. This reveals the depth of a mother’s selfless love—she is willing to cross cultural and religious boundaries, even endure rejection and humiliation, to seek healing for her child. Her actions display a raw, determined love born from deep anguish and helplessness.

What’s striking is that this Gentile woman addresses Jesus as “Lord, Son of David”—a Messianic title that even many Jews had not recognized. If you look at Matthew 1:1 Matthew writes 1. “This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Matthew 12:23 reads “All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?” Though an outsider, she confesses Jesus as Israel’s promised King—the only One who can bring restoration and deliverance. This kind of faith stands out. As seen throughout the Gospels, those who express the deepest faith in Jesus are often those who are most aware of their need for Him. As Jesus said in Matthew 5:3, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Great faith flows from humble dependence—it’s knowing we can’t fix ourselves, our families, or the brokenness around us. We need Jesus. She couldn’t solve her own problem. So she turned to the only One who could. This is the posture of great faith—brokenness, humility, and total dependence on Jesus.

Application: This woman’s plea echoes the heart of every person who has reached the end of their own resources. She didn’t just want relief; she wanted Jesus. Her faith wasn’t just rooted in desperation—it was rooted in recognition. She knew Jesus alone had the power to heal and deliver. And so, she sought Him—persistently and wholeheartedly.

Lesson: Great faith recognizes Jesus as Lord and seeks Him wholeheartedly, even when the odds are against us. Great faith begins with recognizing our need and acknowledging that only Jesus can meet it.

2. Great Faith Perseveres Through Silence and Delay (vv. 23–24)

“Jesus did not answer a word. So His disciples came to Him and urged Him, ‘Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.’ He answered, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.’”

This might be the most difficult part of the story. At first, Jesus responds with silence. The woman cries out, but Jesus “did not answer a word.” Silence from God can be deeply unsettling. If you’ve ever prayed and felt like heaven was closed, you know the pain of that silence. It can feel confusing, even hurtful. You begin to wonder, “Does God care?” “Is He listening?”

ILLUSTRATION

Think about a seed planted in the ground. It goes through a period of apparent silence, but it’s growing beneath the surface. Eventually, it will sprout and grow into a beautiful plant. God’s silence can be a time of preparation and growth. We may not see the changes happening immediately, but they are happening, and God is working even when we can’t feel His presence.

But Jesus’ silence was not rejection. As we continue the story, we see that this silence serves a purpose-it draws out and displays the depth of this woman’s faith. The woman passed that test with persistence. Instead of walking away in discouragement, she draws nearer and kneels before Him, crying out again, “Lord, help me!”

Meanwhile, the disciples see her only as a nuisance. They did not respond with compassion. Her persistence annoyed them. But her mother’s heart wouldn’t let her give up. She was determined to get help for her daughter, even if it meant pressing through rejection and silence.

“Send her away.”

They are bothered by her persistence, not moved by her pain. But God often uses those around us—even those who misunderstand us—to bring our faith into the open.

Finally, when Jesus responds he says, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel,” affirming His mission priority at that moment. But this doesn’t stop her.

It’s true—Jesus’ earthly ministry began with the Jews. But His ultimate mission was always to include the Gentiles (see Isaiah 49:6, John 10:16, Romans 15:8–9). Jesus is not being dismissive; He is drawing her in, testing and unveiling her faith.

This moment teaches us something important:

Sometimes we interpret God’s silence as rejection or a denial. But silence can be a space in which our faith is refined. Like this woman, we are called not to retreat but to press on, even when the heavens seem quiet.

We, like the Canaanite woman, may feel unworthy. But Jesus shows us that faith isn’t about being worthy—it’s about recognizing who is worthy and throwing ourselves on His mercy.

Lesson: God’s silence is not His absence—faith is often a test of perseverance. Delays are not denials, they are invitations to deeper trust.

3. Great Faith is Humble Yet Bold in Approach (vv. 25–27)

“The woman came and knelt before Him. ‘Lord, help me!’ she said. He replied, ‘It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.’ ‘Yes it is, Lord,’ she said. ‘Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.’”

Here we witness the depth of her humility and boldness. This exchange is profound and troubling. Jesus’ response sounds harsh. He compares the Gentiles to “dogs.” This was a derogatory term used by Jews to describe outsiders. Yet, this woman does not respond with offense or anger. She does not argue about her worth. She does not storm off in protest. Instead, she humbly accepts the metaphor and turns it into a declaration of faith: “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”

She is saying: “I know I don’t deserve a seat at the table. But I believe even a crumb from You is enough to heal my daughter.” She doesn’t demand a full meal—just a crumb of grace. That’s how confident she is in Jesus’ power. Her humility, persistence, and bold belief reveal a heart that will not let go of hope.

This is great faith: humble, persistent, bold. She doesn’t demand a right; she appeals to mercy. She’s not relying on status; she’s relying on Jesus.

Her response reveals:

Humility – She acknowledges her position without protest.

Persistence – She presses on in hope, refusing to walk away.

Faith – She believes that even a small portion of God’s power is enough.

Great faith does not depend on our worthiness, but on Jesus’ sufficiency.

We need this kind of faith—faith that dares to hope, that refuses to give up, that recognizes the power of even a crumb from Jesus.

Lesson: Great Faith is persistent, humble, and anchored in the mercy and sufficiency of Christ. Great Faith doesn’t demand-it pleads with confidence in Jesus’ mercy and power, however, small it may seem.

4. Great Faith is Rewarded and Commended by Jesus. (v. 28)

“Then Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.’ And her daughter was healed at that moment.”

In the end, Jesus breaks the silence. Jesus responds to her and grants her request: “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.”

Jesus had rebuked Peter for his little faith. But here, He praises a Gentile woman’s great faith. Her persistent, humble, trusting plea moves the heart of God. And her daughter is healed immediately.

This is a powerful affirmation—not only of the woman’s faith but also of the inclusive nature of the kingdom.

This story, placed in the Gospels, signals that the mercy and grace of God are not confined to one people or nation, but are available to all who call upon Jesus in faith.

Reflection:

This is the faith that Jesus praises. The kind of faith that says, “Even a little of Your power, Jesus, is more than enough for me.”- Helpless and Dependent.

It’s a faith that isn’t offended by delay or rejection. A faith that keeps pressing in. A faith that acknowledges unworthiness but clings to grace.

Life Application: What Makes Faith Great Today?

1. Seek Jesus with Wholehearted Dependence

The Canaanite woman didn’t go to false gods or easy solutions—she went straight to Jesus, acknowledging Him as “Lord, Son of David.”

Application: When we face crisis, do we run to distractions, people, or self-effort—or do we go to Jesus first?

Let us train our hearts to recognize that only Jesus can meet our deepest needs.

Takeaway: Great faith starts by turning to the right Person—Jesus.

2. Persevere Even When Heaven Seems Silent

Jesus didn’t answer her immediately. But silence didn’t stop her. She kept crying out, even when others dismissed her.

Application: When our prayers seem unanswered, do we lose heart or keep pressing in?

God’s silence may be shaping our character, not rejecting our cry.

Takeaway: Great faith doesn’t give up when the answer is delayed.

3. Approach Jesus with Bold Humility

The woman didn’t demand or argue. She acknowledged her low position—but still believed she had access to His mercy.

Application: Are we willing to come before God with empty hands and a humble heart?

True faith is not proud—it kneels and says, “Lord, even a crumb from You is enough.”

Takeaway: Great faith is bold enough to ask, and humble enough to receive.

4. Trust That Jesus Is More Than Enough

Jesus praised her for her faith and answered her request immediately. She trusted that even a little from Him was sufficient.

APPLICATION

Do we believe that God’s grace—even in small doses—is sufficient for our need?

When we trust Jesus completely, we leave room for Him to move mightily.

Takeaway: Great faith rests in Jesus’ power, not our circumstances.

May we learn from this woman and grow in a faith that is bold, humble, and unrelenting—a faith that Jesus Himself calls great.

She recognized her need – She was desperate, but she didn’t run to false solutions.

She acknowledged who Jesus is – Even as an outsider, she called Him “Lord, Son of David.” She focused on Jesus. She knew He is the only answer to her situation.

She was persistent – She kept crying out, even when ignored, silenced, and seemingly rejected.

She was humble – She did not argue about worthiness or her merit but accepted even a crumb of mercy.

She believed Jesus was enough – She trusted that His power, even in the smallest measure, could bring healing.

This woman had no name in the text—but she is remembered for her faith. And so can we be. When life presses in, when the answers delay, when silence threatens our hope—will we give up, or will we press on?

The Canaanite woman stands as a remarkable model of persistent faith. It is about recognizing our need, seeking Jesus earnestly, and trusting in His mercy even when the answers don’t come easily. Let us be people of persistent faith.

Let us ask ourselves:

Do we come to Jesus with humble desperation?

Do we persist when it feels like God is silent?

Do we trust that even a crumb of His grace is more than enough?

Invitation:

Are you crying out to Jesus today for someone you love?

Have you heard only silence in response?

Don’t stop. Don’t walk away. Keep kneeling. Keep praying. Keep believing.

Persistent faith moves the heart of Jesus.

And it may be today that Jesus says to you, “Great is your faith. It will be done for you as you desire.”