Matthew 15:22 Meaning and Explanation
“And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A Canaanite woman cries out to Jesus as Son of David, begging mercy for her tormented daughter.
What Does Matthew 15:22 Mean?
A woman of Canaan, from the very region Jesus had entered, comes crying out to Him. Though she belongs to a people outside Israel, she addresses Him with striking faith as Lord and son of David, a title rich with messianic hope. Her plea is desperate and selfless: have mercy on me, for her daughter is grievously tormented by a devil. A mother's anguish drives her straight to Jesus.
Her cry is a model of how need meets Christ. She brings no claim of merit, only a plea for mercy and a confession of who He is. That a foreign woman should hail Jesus by His messianic title puts to shame the unbelief of many who knew the Scriptures. The verse shows mercy sought in faith, and it sets before us a prayer we may always pray: Have mercy on me, O Lord.
Matthew 15:22 in the Original Language
eleeo (ἐλεέω), 'have mercy' -- to show compassion to one in misery, the cry of need to one able to help.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 15:22
What does Matthew 15:22 mean?
A Canaanite woman cries out to Jesus as Son of David, begging mercy for her tormented daughter.