Mat 15:22, 20:30-31 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 22. A woman of Canaan . This woman is called also a Greek, a Syro-Phoenician by birth, . Anciently the whole land, including Tyre and Sidon, was in the possession of the Canaanites, and called Canaan. The Phoenicians were descended from the Canaanites. The country, including Tyre and Sidon, was called Phoenicia, or Syro-Phoenicia. That country was taken by the Greeks under Alexander the Great, and those cities, in the time of Christ, were Greek cities. This woman was therefore a Gentile, living under the Greek government, and probably speaking the Greek language. She was by birth a Syro-Phoenician, born in that country, and descended, therefore, from the ancient Canaanites. All these names might with propriety be given to her. Coasts . Regions, or countries. Thou Son of David . Descendant of David. . Meaning the Messiah. Is grievously vexed with a devil . . The woman showed great earnestness. She cried unto him, and fell at his feet, . (o) "Son of God"

Matthew 15:22

Verse 22. A woman of Canaan. This woman is called also a Greek, a Syro-Phoenician by birth, Mk 7:26. Anciently the whole land, including Tyre and Sidon, was in the possession of the Canaanites, and called Canaan. The Phoenicians were descended from the Canaanites. The country, including Tyre and Sidon, was called Phoenicia, or Syro-Phoenicia. That country was taken by the Greeks under Alexander the Great, and those cities, in the time of Christ, were Greek cities. This woman was therefore a Gentile, living under the Greek government, and probably speaking the Greek language. She was by birth a Syro-Phoenician, born in that country, and descended, therefore, from the ancient Canaanites. All these names might with propriety be given to her.

Coasts. Regions, or countries.

Thou Son of David. Descendant of David. Mt 1:1. Meaning the Messiah.

Is grievously vexed with a devil. Mt 4:24. The woman showed great earnestness. She cried unto him, and fell at his feet, Mk 7:25.

(o) "Son of God" Lk 18:38,39

Matthew 20:30-31

Verse 30. Two blind men. Mark and Luke mention but one. They do not say, however, that there was no more than one. They mention one because he was probably well known; perhaps the son of a distinguished citizen reduced to poverty. His name was Bartimeus. Bar is a Syriac word, meaning son; and the name means, therefore, "the son of Timeus." Probably Timeus was a man of note; and as the case of his son attracted most attention, Mark and Luke recorded it particularly. Had they said there was only one healed, there would have been a contradiction. As it is, there is no more contradiction or difficulty than there is in the fact that the evangelists, like all other historians, often omit many facts which they do not choose to record.

Heard that Jesus passed by. They learned who he was by inquiring. They heard a name, and asked who it was, (Luke.) They had doubtless heard much of his fame, but had never before been where he was, and probably would not be again. They were therefore more earnest in calling upon him.

Son of David. That is, Messiah, or Christ. This was the name by which the Messiah was commonly known. He was the illustrious descendant of David, in whom the promises especially centered, Ps 132:11,12, 89:3,4. It was the universal opinion of the Jews that the Messiah was to be the descendant of David. See Mt 22:42. On the use of the word Son, Mt 1:1.

(v) "And, behold" Mt 9:27, Mk 10:46, Lk 18:35 Verse 31. And the multitude rebuked them, because, etc. They chid or reproved them, and in a threatening manner told them to be silent.

They cried the more. Jesus standing still, ordered them to be brought to him, (Mark.) They then addressed the blind men, and told them that Jesus called. Mark adds, that Bartimeus cast away his garment, and rose and came to Jesus. The garment was not his only raiment, but was the outer garment, thrown loosely over him, and commonly laid aside when persons laboured or ran. Mt 5:40. His doing it denoted haste, and earnestness, in order to come to Jesus.