A discriminatory Jesus?

Contextual Bible Study

For a long time, interpreting the Bible was the domain of the church and academic elite. In recent decades, however, biblical scholarship has paid more attention to the perspectives of all Bible readers. The method of Contextual Bible Study emphasises that everyone has something to contribute to Bible interpretation. In this Bible blog, I will illustrate this using Mark 7:24–30.

Mark 7:24–30

Jesus is travelling to the region of Tyre. He stays in a house and does not want to be noticed. Yet a non-Jewish woman finds him. Her daughter is possessed by an unclean spirit. She hopes Jesus can heal her. Jesus rejects the woman. He says that the children must be fed first. The food is not meant for the dogs. The woman replies that the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from the children’s table. Jesus then says: “You have answered well. Go home; the demon has already left your daughter.”

Insights from Biblical Scholarship

Biblical scholars have studied this story for centuries. It often doesn’t fit with the image we have of Jesus. His remark about children and dogs likely refers to Jews and Gentiles. His rejection of the non-Jewish woman seems inconsistent with his earlier actions. In previous chapters of Mark, he also heals Gentiles and women. Thus, ancestry and gender do not appear to be prerequisites for healing. A recurring theme in Mark’s Gospel is that Jesus cares for those on the margins of society, such as this woman.

Scholars also puzzle over Jesus’ rejection, seeking possible interpretations. Bas van Iersel views the conversation between Jesus and the woman as playful and humorous. In Greek, Jesus uses diminutive forms that soften the statement. Van Iersel sees the woman’s reply as a sign of trust in Jesus.

Others, such as Tat-siong Benny Liew, see Jesus’ rejection as an insult. Jesus compares the woman and her daughter to dogs. The woman answers wittily, but she also accepts a lesser position. She does not say that she and her daughter actually belong among the children and have just as much right to God’s kingdom as anyone else. She settles for a small portion—whatever is left over.

According to James Dunn, this text shows that Jesus’ mission is inclusive of Gentiles. In Mark, faith or trust is a prerequisite for miraculous healings. Jesus’ response can thus be seen as a test of the woman’s faith.

“The children must be fed first…”

I conducted a Contextual Bible Study on this text with members of a Lutheran congregation in the Netherlands. Here I share the main findings. The participants also found Jesus’ response to the non-Jewish woman challenging. Jesus does not come across as sympathetic and discriminates against her. By comparing her to a dog, he seems to reduce her to something inferior. This statement doesn’t fit the image they have of Jesus. Surely, he came for all people?

Participants noted that differences between Jews and Gentiles occur more often in the Bible. One said: “It’s not as if everyone gets an equal share. Not at all. First the children must have enough. And if there’s anything left, then maybe we’ll see.”

Some participants stressed that Jesus was tired and did not want to be seen. A miraculous healing would likely draw a lot of attention. Perhaps he was in a place where he did not feel safe. Ultimately, healing the daughter would be the easiest way forward, attracting the least attention. If he refused, he might provoke the entire village.

“The dogs eat the crumbs…”

Participants viewed the woman’s reply as assertive, resilient, clever, and quick-witted. She gives Jesus a taste of his own medicine, thereby standing up for all non-Jews. At the same time, she accepts Jesus’ framing of Gentiles as dogs and thus inferior. It seems she demeans herself, making the best of an unequal situation. The dogs still only get crumbs.

While participants considered the woman assertive, resilient, and clever, they also felt she was humble. She depended on Jesus. She needed him to heal her daughter. She couldn’t just walk away when he insulted her and compared her to a dog. Some participants saw her determination as a sign of strong faith.

Participant 1: “That you have the flexibility and can be addressed by what someone else says—even if that person attacked you first.”
Participant 2: “Yes, even such a quick reply from a dog.”

Why would Jesus change his mind? Participants suggested he may have wanted to get rid of her quickly, that he was impressed by her and took her seriously, or that he rewarded her trust. In that case, Jesus’ initial rejection was a test of her faith. Some participants strongly disagreed with this last interpretation. It made Jesus seem even less sympathetic. Why would he test a woman who is desperately pleading for her sick child?

Racism Today

How can this Bible story inspire us to combat racism today? At the very least, it’s a story about exclusion and marginalisation.

While Jesus’ rejection of the woman is not very inspiring, participants were inspired by his willingness to change his mind. This, they felt, is the challenge this Bible story offers us: are we willing to change our opinions and prejudices when they prove to be wrong? Are we open to seeing things from another perspective? Jesus was—and did so quickly. In our society, where people often cling to their positions, we could learn from that.

Participants also found the woman’s assertiveness and humility inspiring. It’s about asking clear questions about what people say—not with an attitude of superiority, but with humility. Instead of opposing someone who stereotypes an entire group, you could ask: “Why do you have that image of this group?” That could lead to surprisingly open conversations.

Conclusion

Many scholarly interpretations appeared among the participants in this Contextual Bible Study. However, they placed less emphasis on the woman’s faith. They stressed Jesus’ flexibility and the woman’s humility—qualities often lacking today. In that regard, we can learn from both Jesus and the woman. An old story thus gains new meaning for our time, and Contextual Bible Study offers fresh insights that are also of interest to biblical scholarship.