Reference

Matthew 15:24

Israel as Distinct Israel-Specific Promises

“But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.

But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.

But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.

But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs.

Why This Verse Was Tagged

Israel as Distinct

Keyword Match

90% relevance

This verse contains specific terms directly associated with this theme.

Israel-Specific Promises

Keyword Match

90% relevance

This verse contains specific terms directly associated with this theme.

Counter-Arguments

The strongest case that this verse does not belong in this theme.

Israel as Distinct

While this verse clearly indicates Jesus' initial mission was to Israel, other passages, such as the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) and the inclusion of Gentiles in the early church (Acts 10, Galatians 3:28), demonstrate that this distinctness was not absolute or permanent, but rather a foundational step in a broader redemptive plan that ultimately included all nations.

Israel-Specific Promises

While Jesus states his immediate mission is to Israel, this does not preclude a later, broader mission, as evidenced by the Great Commission.

Israel as Distinct

Related Verses

Matthew 15:23

“But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.”

Matthew 15:21

“Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.”

Luke 5:31

“And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.”

Matthew 9:12

“But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.”

Luke 4:26

“But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow.”

Thematic Connections

Israel as Distinct Israel-Specific Promises

Private Study Note

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