Bible Strands
Matthew 15:21
Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus acts alone in this narrative moment, moving after His previous teaching on defilement in Matthew 15:20. He transitions from a Jewish-centered location into a Gentile region immediately before the Canaanite woman approaches in Matthew 15:22.
The words — The Greek verb ἀνεχώρησεν (anechōrēsen) literally means "withdrew" or "departed," compounded by ἐξελθὼν (exelthōn), "having gone forth," to mark a deliberate physical exit. ἐκεῖθεν (ekeithen) specifies the departure originates "from there," establishing a clear spatial shift.
The thread — Matthew 15:21 records Jesus withdrawing to the district of Tyre and Sidon after leaving His prior location. This movement aligns with Mark 7:24, which notes His entry into the region of Tyre, and stands in direct contrast to the cities condemned in Matthew 11:21 for rejecting His miracles.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to track Jesus’ physical relocation as a necessary precondition for the Gentile encounter that follows. It asks for recognition that His ministry actively enters territories previously marked for judgment in Joshua 13:6.
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
Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.
Cross-references
- Mark 7:24 Jesus left that place and went to the region of Tyre. Not wanting anyone to know He was there, He entered a house, but was unable to escape their notice.
- Matthew 11:21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
- Joshua 13:6 All the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon to Misrephoth-maim—all the Sidonians—I Myself will drive out before the Israelites. Be sure to divide it by lot as an inheritance to Israel, as I have commanded you.
- Joshua 19:28 It went on to Ebron, Rehob, Hammon, and Kanah, as far as Greater Sidon.
- Judges 1:31 Asher failed to drive out the inhabitants of Acco, Sidon, Ahlab, Achzib, Helbah, Aphik, and Rehob.
- Genesis 49:13 Zebulun shall dwell by the seashore and become a harbor for ships; his border shall extend to Sidon.
- Joshua 11:8 and the LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel, who struck them down and pursued them all the way to Greater Sidon and Misrephoth-maim, and eastward as far as the Valley of Mizpeh. They struck them down, leaving no survivors.
- Matthew 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go onto the road of the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.