But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.

MARK 7:27KJV
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Mark 7:27 (KJV)

What does Mark 7:27 mean?

Mark 7:27 records Jesus telling a woman that it is not right to take what belongs to the children and give it to the dogs, saying, “Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.” Jesus is using a metaphor to explain that his ministry is first for the Jewish people (“the children”) before it extends to others (“the dogs”).

In this scene, Jesus is speaking to a Syrophoenician (Gentile) woman who has asked him to heal her daughter. The “children” refers to the people of Israel, while “dogs” was a common Jewish term for Gentiles at the time. Jesus’ words highlight the order of his mission—first to Israel, then to the wider world—while also setting up the woman’s faithful response in the following verses.

The Greek behind Mark 7:27

  • τέκνα (tekna, “children”): This word points to those who are part of the family, here meaning the people of Israel, emphasizing their priority in Jesus’ ministry.
  • κυνάρια (kynaria, “dogs”): The Greek word used here is a diminutive, often understood as “little dogs” or “household dogs,” which softens the image compared to wild or scavenging dogs. This suggests a less harsh tone than might be assumed from the English.
  • πρῶτον (proton, “first”): This word means “first” in order or priority, making clear that Jesus is talking about sequence, not exclusion.
  • χορτασθῆναι (chortasthēnai, “be filled”): This word means “to be satisfied” or “to have enough,” showing that Jesus is talking about the children (Israel) receiving what they need before others.

Why Mark 7:27 matters

  • Mark 7:27 helps clear up the idea that Jesus was being cruel or dismissive; the Greek wording shows a softer, more nuanced exchange that leaves room for the woman’s faith to shine.
  • The verse highlights the historical order of Jesus’ mission: first to Israel, then to the Gentiles, which is a key theme in the Gospels and the early church.
  • Understanding this verse in context helps make sense of the woman’s remarkable reply in the next verse, and why Jesus praises her faith and grants her request.

Where else these words appear

“dogs” Greek G2952 · used in 4 verses

  • Matthew 15:26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.
  • Matthew 15:27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.
  • Mark 7:28 And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs.

“filled” Greek G5526 · used in 15 verses

  • Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
  • Mark 6:42 And they did all eat, and were filled.
  • Luke 16:21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

“first” Greek G4412 · used in 61 verses

  • Matthew 5:24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
  • Luke 11:38 And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner.
  • Romans 2:9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;

“children” Greek G5043 · used in 91 verses

  • Matthew 2:18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
  • Luke 19:44 And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.
  • Philippians 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;