A Syrophoenician woman is a term that denotes a woman that lives in the Phoenician part of Syria. She is mentioned in the new testament in the books of Matthew and Mark. She is also referred to as the Canaanite Woman.
According to the Gospel of Mark, the Syrophoenician woman was from the tribe of Tyre and Sidon while in the book of Matthew, she’s from the Gentiles race.
She demonstrated faith when she approached Jesu and asked him to heal her daughter even by proxy. Her persistent and faithful life kept so many people in her era questioning the kind of faith she had in God, while she inspires lots of Christians today.
Who was the Syrophoenician Woman in the Bible?
The Syrophoenician woman can be found in the book of Mark 7:24-30. This scripture talks about a Syrophoenician woman that resided in Syria.
Her story is noteworthy because she had the boldness to contest Jesus’ initial response to her request for his healing of her sick daughter who was possessed by demons.
When Jesus told her he was only sent “for the lost sheep of Isreal”, Matthew 15:24. she remained resilient and persisted and Jesus healed her daughter. And Jesus in return lauded her faith in God.
The Encounter Between the Syrophoenician woman and Jesus
The encounter between the Canaanite woman and Jesus shows the acceptance and openness of Jesus’ love, healing and blessings on all tribes, races and ages. Also, her persistence portrays the importance of faith in receiving God’s mercy, love and attention.
In this write-up, I will be talking about the compelling characteristics of the Syrophoenician woman that propelled Jesus to perform unintended healing/miracle and the word ‘Syrophoenician Woman’ shall be used interchangeably with the ‘Canaanite woman in this piece.
Characteristics of the Syrophoenician Woman
1. She Discovered Jesus
Mark 7:24
“And from there he arose and went away to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And he entered a house and did not want anyone to know, yet he could not be hidden.”
Mark 7:24 (ESV)
No matter how hard Jesus tried to remain undercover in Tyre and Sidon, the Canaanite woman in her desire to find healing for her sick daughter found and identified Jesus. She broke racial and gender protocols as they were at that time and meet with Jesus.
2. The Syrophoenician Woman was Humble
Mark 7:25
“But immediately a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit heard of him and came and fell at his feet.”
Mark 7:25 (ESV)
Even in her distress, she remained calm, referenced and worshipped Jesus. She didn’t allow her urgent need to overtake her sense of humility, respect and honour, she humbled herself before Jesus before requesting his healing for her daughter.
3. She was an outcast
Mark 7:26
“Now the woman was a Gentile, a Syrophoenician by birth. And she begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter.”
Mark 7:26 (ESV)
Before the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Gentiles had no place in salvation.
Salvation was the sole right of the Jews, so the Canaanite woman who was a Gentile and a woman wasn’t qualified to benefit from the healing powers of Christ, yet, with faith, she requested Christ to heal her daughter.
4. She was Hungry for God’s Power
Mark 7:26
“Now the woman was a Gentile, a Syrophoenician by birth. And she begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter.”
Mark 7:26 (ESV)
This scripture further tells the story of the strong hunger the Caannanite woman had for the power of God.
She knew as a Gentile, salvation wasn’t the right of her people but her faith in God was stronger than any racial hindrance on her path to experience the supernatural healing powers of God.
5. She was a woman of Faith
Mark 7:27
“And he said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.”
Mark 7:27 (ESV)
Irrespective of the rejecting response Jesus gave to her request, her faith made her persist in her quest for healing and Jesus healed her daughter and commended her strong faith and resilient spirit.
6. She Attracted Miracle
Mark 7:30
“And she went home and found the child lying in bed and the demon gone.”
Mark 7:30 (ESV)
The persistence and faith of this woman granted her the miracle she yearned for and she received her heart desires.
She already believed in her heart that Jesus has attended to her daughter’s need; she only went home and confirmed the miraculous healing.
7. She was Proactive
Matthew 15:22
“And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.”
Matthew 15:22 (ESV)
The Canaanite woman took a bold step out of the crowd and laid her supplication before Jesus. She was clear and straightforward with her request. And her daughter was healed from demonic bondage against all odds.
8. She was Resilient
Matthew 15:23
“But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.”
Matthew 15:23 (ESV)
The woman knew that there was no other way for salvation to come to her daughter except waiting on God and obeying His words.
She was ignored but she remained unmoved, she persevered, and hung on, until she received the miracle of God in her household.
9. She Received Salvation Against all Odds
Matthew 15:24
“He answered, I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel”
Matthew 15:24 (ESV)
She overlooked her origin as a Gentile, her faith broke protocols for her, and she looked beyond her tribe and region. Her gaze was on God and his healing powers, so, even when she was undeserving of the healing she pushed on and received her salvation.
10. She Stood in the Gap for her Daughter
Mark 7:25-26
“25. But immediately a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit heard of him and came and fell at his feet. 26. Now the woman was a Gentile, a Syrophoenician by birth. And she begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter”.
Mark 7:25-26 (ESV)
The woman demonstrated that there’s no distance in the spirit when the supernatural powers of God descend on a situation.
She stood in for her daughter who wasn’t physically present to encounter God on a one-on-one basis. But her faith in God healed the daughter from every unclean spirit.
Conclusion
The Canaanite woman represents a symbol of faith, commitment and persistence in the face of trouble. Her faith is a source of encouragement to current-day Christians to be persistent and have faith in God, against all barriers.
This woman demonstrated faith in its totality and hoped for healing for her daughter even in a proxy.
According to the book of Hebrews 11:1 (ESV), “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the convictions of things not seen. ” This portion of the Bible talks about faith as believing even when the outcome might not be certain.
The Syrophoenician woman practiced and lived a life of faith according to the above portion of the Bible. Jesus was moved by her faith and commended her strong willpower and faith.