And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.

MATTHEW 15:27KJV
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Matthew 15:27 (KJV)

What does Matthew 15:27 mean?

Matthew 15:27 shows a woman humbly agreeing with Jesus, saying that even dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table. She is expressing faith that even a small portion of Jesus’ mercy is enough to help her, despite not being part of Israel.

In this scene, a Gentile woman is speaking to Jesus after He compared giving help to her with giving children’s bread to dogs. She responds by accepting her outsider status but still trusting that Jesus’ kindness can reach her. Her answer shows both humility and confidence in Jesus’ power to help those who are not part of His own people.

The Greek behind Matthew 15:27

  • "κύριε" (kurie) — "Lord": The woman addresses Jesus with respect, recognizing His authority and power, which is significant since she is not Jewish.
  • "κυνάρια" (kunaria) — "dogs": This word refers to little dogs or household pets, softening the harshness of the term and highlighting her acceptance of a humble position.
  • "ψιχίων" (psichiōn) — "crumbs": The woman is not asking for the main portion, just a small leftover, showing her faith that even a little from Jesus is enough.
  • "πίπτει" (piptei) — "fall": She points out that crumbs naturally fall from the table, suggesting that mercy can overflow beyond the intended recipients.

Why Matthew 15:27 matters

  • Matthew 15:27 clears up the idea that Jesus’ compassion was only for Israel by showing a Gentile woman’s faith and His positive response.
  • The verse highlights humility and persistence, as the woman does not argue her worth but trusts in Jesus’ generosity.
  • Matthew 15:27 connects to the wider passage by setting up Jesus’ praise for her faith and His willingness to help those outside traditional boundaries.

Where else these words appear

“crumbs” Greek G5589 · used in 3 verses

  • Mark 7:28 And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs.
  • 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.

“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.
  • Mark 7:27 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 7:28 And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs.

“table” Greek G5132 · used in 14 verses

  • Matthew 21:12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,
  • Luke 19:23 Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?
  • Acts 6:2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.

“Truth” Greek G3483 · used in 29 verses

  • Matthew 5:37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
  • Luke 10:21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.
  • 2 Corinthians 1:17 When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay?