Mark 7:28

“Yes, Lord,” she replied, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — The Syrophoenician woman answers Jesus immediately after He states that giving the children’s bread to dogs is not right. She speaks directly to Him in the moment following His metaphorical boundary in Mark 7:27.

The words — The text records her reply with ἀπεκρίθη (apekrithē), meaning “she answered,” and ναί (nai), meaning “yes.” She addresses Him as κύριε (kurie), literally “Lord,” while acknowledging the dogs under the table eat crumbs.

The thread — The inclusion of Gentiles under the same covenant provision appears in Romans 10:12 and Romans 3:29, where the Lord gives richly to all who call on Him. Isaiah 45:22 similarly commands all ends of the earth to turn to God, who declares there is no other.

Why it lands — The verse requires a reader to accept that humility before divine authority does not depend on ethnic status or ritual priority. It demands recognition that grace extends to those outside the primary covenant group when they acknowledge their need.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children’s crumbs.

Cross-references

Romans 10:12 For there is no difference between Jew and Greek: The same Lord is Lord of all, and gives richly to all who call on Him,
Romans 3:29 Is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too,
Isaiah 45:22 Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.
Luke 15:30 But when this son of yours returns from squandering your wealth with prostitutes, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
Acts 11:17 So if God gave them the same gift He gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to hinder the work of God?”
Luke 7:6 So Jesus went with them. But when He was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends with the message: “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy to have You come under my roof.
Psalms 145:16 You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.
Isaiah 49:6 He says: “It is not enough for You to be My Servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the protected ones of Israel. I will also make You a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth.”
Matthew 5:45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Ephesians 2:12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.