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Matthew 15 records our Lord’s first trip outside of Judea with his disciples into the region of Samaria. This was not friendly territory. Jews hated Samaritans and considered them half-breeds since their family tree had roots both inside and outside of Abraham.

As they traveled, a Canaanite woman came out to meet Jesus, crying to him: “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.”

When Jesus did not answer her, the disciples urged him to shoo her away because she was making a scene. Ignoring the woman and apparently seeing her nearby, Jesus told the disciple...