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 15:23
Verse 23 records a moment of silence from Jesus. After the woman persists, Jesus initially does not respond, and the disciples urge him to send her away. This moment tests both her faith and the disciples’ hearts. The silence is not a mere delay but a deliberate pedagogical and revelatory pause. Some interpret it as a gentle provocation to reveal deeper faith; others see it as a test of the disciples’ compassion. Jesus’ seeming silence invites the reader to consider how waiting on God is part of faith formation. The subsequent dialogue shows that even when help is sought through intercession, God’s plan may involve a path that requires faith, humility, and the conviction that mercy can be extended beyond expected recipients.
God’s silence in Scripture often functions to reveal character—not just to test but to refine. This episode foregrounds the role of faith in receiving mercy. It also critiques a posture of exclusivity among Jesus’ followers. The disciples’ petition to “send her away” reveals their own discomfort with a Gentile woman and with the scope of Jesus’ mercy. Jesus’ silence then invites a reorientation toward the woman’s growing faith and the larger mission beyond Israel. Theologically, it deepens trust that God’s plan sometimes requires us to persevere in faith, and that mercy can break through barriers when genuine faith meets persistent petition.
When prayer feels like a wait, resist rushing to conclusions or drawing negative conclusions about God. Use the pause to re-center on God’s character and purposes. If you’re facing a delay in an answer to prayer, continue to seek with humility, open to God expanding your understanding of what mercy looks like. Also examine your own heart: are you quick to dismiss those who seem outside your group? The church is called to welcome others with compassion—especially those who feel overlooked. The pause can become a rehearsal in patient faith that God hears and acts in His timing.
Cross-References: Psalm 46:10; Habakkuk 2:3; Luke 18:1-8; James 1:6-8