Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Mark 7:28

ἡ δὲ�. The ἀπεκρίθη is not mere amplification; it was an answer and a witty answer. She seizes on Christ’s repelling words and turns them into an argument in her favour: δραξαμένη τῶν τοῦ Χριστοῦ ῥημάτων, ἀπʼ αὐτῶν πλέκει συνηγορίαν ἑαυτῆς (Euthym.). The historic pres. is recognized so completely as historic that it can be combined with an aor. See on Mark 8:29 sub fin.

Ναί, κύριε· καὶ τὰ κυνάρια. Yea, Lord, and the doggies; not “yet the dogs” (A.V.), nor “even the dogs” (R.V.). She fully assents to the Lord’s utterance and carries it on to her own conclusion; “Quite so, Lord; and in that case I may have a crumb.” Mt. has καὶ γάρ, giving an additional reason for her request. Ναί = ἀμήν, but without the religious tone of the Hebrew word (2 Corinthians 1:20; Revelation 1:7; Revelation 22:20). Syr-Sin. has “the crumbs which are over from the children’s table.” The words may mean the crumbs thrown by the children to their pets. In N.T., ἐσθ. ἐκ (John 6:26; John 6:50-51; 1 Corinthians 9:7; 1 Corinthians 11:28; etc.) is more common than ἐσθ. ἀπό (Genesis 2:16; Genesis 3:1-2; Genesis 3:5).

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Mark 7:28

Old Testament

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