Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

MATTHEW 15:28KJV
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Matthew 15:28 (KJV)

What does Matthew 15:28 mean?

Matthew 15:28 describes Jesus responding to a woman by praising her faith and granting her request, resulting in her daughter being healed immediately. The verse highlights Jesus’ recognition of the woman’s trust and persistence, and shows that her faith led to a real, tangible outcome.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking to a Gentile woman who has been pleading for her daughter’s healing. Despite initial resistance, her determination and belief in Jesus’ power stand out. Jesus addresses her directly, calling her faith "great," and the healing happens at that very moment, emphasizing both his authority and the importance of faith.

The Greek behind Matthew 15:28

  • The word for "great" is μέγας (megas), here in the form μεγάλη (megalē), which means "large" or "remarkable." Jesus is not just acknowledging faith, but emphasizing its exceptional quality in this woman.
  • The Greek word for "faith" is πίστις (pistis), which often carries the sense of trust or confidence. In this context, it highlights the woman’s deep trust in Jesus’ ability and willingness to help, even though she is not from the Jewish community.
  • The phrase "be it unto thee even as thou wilt" uses the Greek θέλω (thelō), meaning "to wish" or "to desire." Jesus is granting her request exactly as she asked, underscoring the personal nature of his response.
  • The word for "made whole" is ἰάομαι (iaomai), meaning "to heal" or "to restore." The text stresses that the healing was complete and immediate.

Why Matthew 15:28 matters

  • Matthew 15:28 clears up the idea that Jesus’ compassion and power were limited only to certain groups; here, a non-Jewish woman’s faith is honored in a remarkable way.
  • The verse emphasizes that genuine faith—regardless of background—can move Jesus to act, which is a key theme in the wider passage.
  • This moment connects to the larger story by showing that persistence and trust in Jesus are recognized and rewarded, even when initial answers seem discouraging.

Where else these words appear

“O” Greek G5599 · used in 17 verses

  • Matthew 17:17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.
  • Acts 13:10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
  • Romans 9:20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?

“daughter” Greek G2364 · used in 28 verses

  • Matthew 9:18 While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.
  • Mark 6:22 And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee.
  • Luke 12:53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

“whole” Greek G2390 · used in 28 verses

  • Matthew 8:8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.
  • Luke 8:47 And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately.
  • John 12:40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.

“hour” Greek G5610 · used in 100 verses

  • Matthew 8:13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.
  • Luke 7:21 And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight.
  • John 16:32 Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.