Matthew 15:29

Matthew 15:29, in plain English

Jesus traveled along the Sea of Galilee, went up a mountain, and sat down. He's about to receive another crowd of hurting people.

Why it's here

Jesus is always accessible. He sits down, ready to receive anyone who comes to Him. He's never too busy or too tired for the broken.

Who's speaking

Matthew describes Jesus' movement to a new location.

Where it sits in the story

After the intense encounter in Tyre and Sidon, Jesus returns to familiar territory and positions Himself to serve once again.

The scholarly reading

Jesus' return to the Sea of Galilee and ascent of a mountain (to oros) establishes a new teaching and healing locale. The seated posture (ekathēto ekei) is the traditional position of a Jewish teacher exercising authority.

Language and setting

The geographical movement from Tyre/Sidon back to Galilee transitions from the Gentile encounter back to ministry among Jewish and mixed populations along the Sea of Galilee.

Voice

The narrator describes Jesus' movement and positioning.

Significance

Jesus moves on from the encounter with the Canaanite woman and positions Himself on a mountainside, preparing for another major period of healing and teaching.

27“Yes, Lord,” she said, “even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”

28“O woman,” Jesus answered, “your faith is great! Let it be done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

29Moving on from there, Jesus went along the Sea of Galilee. Then He went up on a mountain and sat down.

30Large crowds came to Him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute, and many others, and laid them at His feet, and He healed them.

31The crowd was amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled restored, the lame walking, and the blind seeing. And they glorified the God of Israel.

Read all of Matthew 15 — Jesus dismantles the purity codes the Pharisees have built and shows that what defiles a person comes from within, not without.