She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter. “First, let the children eat all they want,” he told her,

 “for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” “Lord,” she replied, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” Then he told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.” 

She went home and found her child lying on the bed, 

and the demon gone. (Mark 7: 26-30)
 

Mark 7: 24-37

A second possible interpretation of this text is that Jesus is initially blinkered by the conventional thinking of his day and ends up learning from his encounter with the Syrophoenician woman. 

According to this line of thought, Jesus means what he says in his response to the woman but later changes his mind.

Like every human being, Jesus learns and evolves. Jesus grew in wisdom and stature as a child (Luke 2:52). The Syrophoenician woman confronts Jesus, argues well, stands her ground, and prevails. Like Jacob, she’s unafraid to wrestle with God and insists on a blessing.

Inspired by this surprising paradigm shift in his thinking, Jesus then goes on to heal another Gentile in Sidon and then miraculously feeds a large crowd of mostly Gentiles (Mark 8). The Gospel is officially on the loose, and the Syrophoenician woman is a pivotal hero in the story - the tenacious mother who helps Jesus open the circle of salvation to the wider world.

So, which interpretation is the correct one? Did Jesus initially share the animosity towards Gentiles that most Jewish people did, or was he using a provocative method of revealing God’s abundant grace to the Syrophoenician woman?

The truth is that Mark’s account of this story is open to both interpretations. Jesus’ tone of voice isn’t specified; it could be satirical or serious. Mark also doesn’t comment on Jesus’ motivations. A third option is to admit that we don’t know what Jesus had in mind and hold the tension present in this passage.

Perhaps we can be encouraged to boldly take our questions and doubts to God like the Syrophoenician woman.

How does this interpretation of Jesus changing his mind about the Syrophoenician woman make you feel? How can you boldly take your desires, concerns and fears to God as this woman did?

Reflections by Rev Joe Taylor

Ever-understanding God, 
You formed me and know me. Thank you for always inviting me to gain greater wisdom and experience. I admit that sometimes I have doubts and questions about life and faith. Help me not to hide these from you but to bring them to you in prayer and petition. 
Amen.

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