The Greek Woman's Daughter (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A): Revision Note
Exam code: 8062
24 From there he set out and went away to the region of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know he was there. Yet he could not escape notice, 25 but a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately heard about him, and she came and bowed down at his feet. 26 Now the woman was a Gentile, of Syrophoenician origin. She begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. 27 He said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” 28 But she answered him, “Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” 29 Then he said to her, “For saying that, you may go—the demon has left your daughter.” 30 So she went home, found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone. (Mark 7:24–30)
Jesus and the Greek Woman
A non-Jewish or Gentile woman asked for help from Jesus
She is known as the Greek woman, and sometimes as the Syro-Phoenician woman, but we do not learn her name
The woman begged Jesus to drive the evil spirit away from her daughter
Jesus replied: “Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs”
“The children” meant the Jews
The reference to being fed meant spiritual food rather than physical food: Jesus was referring to his teachings
“The dogs” meant the Gentiles: Jesus was conscious that his first mission was to Jews before Gentiles
Although it was a common description of Gentiles, this was not generally a kind term, as dogs were regarded as unclean animals who were often found scavenging on the streets for scraps of food
The woman’s response was witty and determined: “Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs”
She was accepting the meaning of Jesus’s remark but still insisting that she was entitled to some help
For her quick-witted response and her faith in his power, Jesus told her that her daughter would be healed
Healing at a distance
This is an example of “distance healing”: Jesus healed the woman’s daughter of whatever illness she had instantly and completely, without ever meeting her
This is the only example of distance healing in Mark’s Gospel
It shows the authority of Jesus
Healing a Gentile shows that the Kingdom of God is open to everyone, not just Jews
Jesus was setting the example that people should not be discriminated against because of their race or religion
Christianity today and discrimination
The message of this healing for Christians today is to follow the example of Jesus and avoid any form of discrimination
Discrimination means treating people differently, and often negatively, because of prejudices about some of their characteristics
Examples of discrimination include race, religion, upbringing, ethnic origin, gender and sexual orientation
Christians today believe that they need to work against all instances of discrimination in society and to challenge it when they encounter examples of it
The early Christian Church followed Jesus’s example and spread the good news about the Kingdom of God to all people who would listen, both Jews and Gentiles
St Paul wrote about this in his letter to the Galatians: “There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)
As a result, today, Christianity is a truly worldwide religion
Worked Example
Why is the healing of the Greek woman’s daughter unique in Mark’s Gospel?
A. It was the first time Jesus healed in Galilee
B. It was the only time Jesus healed someone without meeting them in person
C. It was the last healing miracle before the crucifixion
D. It was the only miracle when the disciples also healed at the same time
[1 mark]
Answer:
B. It was the only time Jesus healed someone without meeting them in person
This is the only example of “distance healing” in Mark’s Gospel.
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Throughout this section, ensure you can not only relate the encounters Jesus had with those who were disregarded by society but also explain why they were important and how they set an example for Christians today.
Practise answering this 4-mark question:
Explain two ways in which the healing of the Greek woman’s daughter is important for Christians today. [4 marks]
One way is that it shows Christians that God’s love is for everyone, not just a particular group. Jesus healed a Gentile girl, so Christians today are reminded to treat all people as equal before God.
Another way is that it teaches Christians to challenge discrimination. Just as Jesus broke barriers by helping a non-Jew, Christians today work against prejudice, for example, supporting equality in the Church and wider society.
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