Matthew 15 25

Matthew 15:25 kjv

Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.

Matthew 15:25 nkjv

Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, "Lord, help me!"

Matthew 15:25 niv

The woman came and knelt before him. "Lord, help me!" she said.

Matthew 15:25 esv

But she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me."

Matthew 15:25 nlt

But she came and worshiped him, pleading again, "Lord, help me!"

Matthew 15 verses

Matthew 15 25 Meaning

Matthew 15:25 depicts the Canaanite woman's desperate yet reverent appeal to Jesus. After Jesus' initial silence and a dialogue with His disciples, she approached Him and prostrated herself in an act of deep worship and submission, then uttered a direct, urgent, and simple plea: "Lord, help me." This verse highlights her profound humility, intense faith, and complete reliance on Jesus' power and authority, laying the foundation for Jesus' eventual commendation of her great faith.

Matthew 15 25 Context

This verse is part of the broader narrative of Jesus' encounter with the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15:21-28 (paralleling Mark 7:24-30). Prior to this, Jesus had engaged in a dispute with the Pharisees concerning traditions and defilement (Mt 15:1-20), teaching that true defilement comes from the heart, not external things. Immediately afterward, He departed from Galilee and went to the region of Tyre and Sidon, a Gentile area, signifying a transition or perhaps a deliberate withdrawal.

In this specific encounter, the woman (referred to as a "Canaanite," highlighting her despised Gentile heritage) initially cries out to Jesus as "Son of David" (Mt 15:22). Jesus remains silent. His disciples then ask Him to send her away, indicating their annoyance. Jesus then responds to His disciples, stating His mission is "only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Mt 15:24), further testing her. Despite these deterrents—Jesus' silence, the disciples' dismissal, and Jesus' explicit statement about His mission—the woman does not give up. Verse 25 marks her persistent and deepening response, demonstrating profound faith that overcomes these initial obstacles. Her plea of "Lord, help me" encapsulates her desperation and belief in His singular authority and ability to help.

Matthew 15 25 Word analysis

• Then (Τότε - Tote): This adverb of time indicates a temporal sequence, connecting her action directly to Jesus' preceding statement that He was sent only to the "lost sheep of the house of Israel." Despite what might have seemed like a final dismissal, this "then" marks her immediate and determined response to press on.
• came she (ἐλθοῦσα - elthousa): This perfect active participle, signifying a completed action that leads to a state, emphasizes her active and deliberate physical approach. She wasn't simply waiting; she took the initiative to draw near to Him, showing great determination despite the perceived obstacles.
• and worshipped (προσεκύνει - prosekunei): From pros (to) and kyneō (to kiss or fawn over like a dog). This imperfect tense verb indicates a continuous action or state of worship. It means to bow down, prostrate oneself, or pay homage. It signifies deep reverence, submission, and adoration, implying a recognition of Jesus' divine or authoritative nature, far beyond mere respect for a teacher. For a Gentile woman, this act was extraordinary.
• him (αὐτῷ - autō): Dative case, specifying Jesus as the direct object of her worship and the recipient of her plea.
• saying (λέγουσα - legousa): Present active participle, indicating that her words accompany her action of worship. Her prayer is offered while in the posture of submission.
• Lord (Κύριε - Kyrie): The vocative case of kyrios. This term is used in the Septuagint for the Hebrew "YHWH" (God) and "Adonai" (Master). Here, from a Gentile, it shows a significant recognition of Jesus' supreme authority, power, and perhaps even divinity, going beyond the "Son of David" (a Jewish messianic title) she initially used. It expresses submission to one who has the power to command and save.
• help (βοήθει - boethei): Present active imperative. It's a direct command, but in this context, it functions as a fervent, desperate, and urgent plea for aid. The root of the word combines "a cry" (boē) and "to run" (theō), conveying the idea of running to one's cry for help.
• me (μοι - moi): Dative case, identifying herself as the recipient of the needed help. Her request is profoundly personal and direct.

Words-group analysis:

• "Then came she and worshipped him": This sequence of actions is crucial. Her physical act of humble worship precedes her verbal plea. It signifies that her appeal is rooted in reverence and submission, demonstrating genuine faith and recognition of Jesus' true identity and power, even if her understanding was still developing. This active seeking and worshipping illustrate a determined and broken spirit that fully relies on Jesus.
• "saying, Lord, help me": This simple yet profound statement reveals her deepest need and her full recognition of Jesus' authority and ability to meet it. The progression from "Son of David" to "Lord" highlights her growing spiritual insight, possibly understanding that only a "Lord" could overcome the seemingly insurmountable obstacles (her Gentile status, Jesus' previous silence and statements). It's a concise expression of utter dependence and urgent need, offered in total humility.

Matthew 15 25 Bonus section

• The stark contrast between the Canaanite woman's unwavering faith and the disciples' limited understanding and initial impatience serves as a pedagogical moment for both the original hearers/readers and the disciples themselves.
• The progression of her address to Jesus (from "Son of David" in v. 22 to "Lord" in v. 25) reflects her deepening spiritual perception of Jesus' identity beyond a Jewish messianic expectation to one who possesses supreme, divine authority applicable to all people, including Gentiles.
• This specific incident (Matthew 15:21-28 / Mark 7:24-30) is a crucial foreshadowing of the eventual Gentile mission of the early church, as recounted in the Book of Acts. Jesus, by granting her request based on her faith, reveals the universal nature of His compassion and the inclusiveness of the Gospel, challenging Jewish particularism even before the Great Commission.

Matthew 15 25 Commentary

Matthew 15:25 is a powerful snapshot of tenacious faith meeting divine compassion. The Canaanite woman's response to Jesus' silence and seemingly restrictive words (regarding the lost sheep of Israel) is not despair but intensified supplication. Her act of worship, indicated by the term prosekunei, signifies a deep acknowledgment of Jesus' ultimate authority, moving beyond a mere human understanding to recognizing His messianic or even divine power. She does not merely ask for help but acknowledges Him as "Lord," signaling an advanced level of faith, particularly for a Gentile, demonstrating her belief that He possessed the sovereign ability to intervene in her dire situation.

Her plea, "Lord, help me," is strikingly concise, reflecting her desperation and her conviction that no further explanation was needed for the one she perceived as truly capable of delivering aid. This encounter profoundly illustrates Jesus' ministry extending beyond Jewish confines, setting the stage for Gentile inclusion within God's salvation plan. Her faith, characterized by persistence, humility, and proper reverence, becomes a profound example for all who seek God, demonstrating that a contrite spirit and trust in Christ's authority are paramount in drawing God's grace, regardless of background. It highlights that the Kingdom of God welcomes those who humble themselves and wholeheartedly trust in the Savior.