Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Matthew 15:22. It’s a really interesting and slightly unusual passage in the Bible. Here's what it means, explained simply: The Basic Story: This verse comes from a story about a woman from the land of Canaan (modern-day Israel) who was experiencing a significant problem. She was distressed because she felt like she was being tormented by a powerful and evil force – a devil. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Matthew 15:22” : This is where the verse begins. It tells us about a specific event in the Gospel of Matthew. “And, behold…” : This phrase often signals a significant turning point or a moment of revelation. “Behold” means "look" or "see." “…a woman of Canaan…” : This refers to a person from the land of Israel, specifically from the region that is now part of modern-day Lebanon. She was identified as a foreigner (an outsider) – someone not born into Jewish territory. “came out of the same coasts…” : This tells us she came from the area around the Mediterranean Sea and North Africa – essentially, from the land of Israel. “…and cried unto him…” : She was desperately pleading with Jesus. She was in distress. “…saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David…” : This is the core of the message. She's begging for forgiveness and help from Jesus. “Son of David” refers to King David, a very important figure in Jewish tradition. She's asking him to show compassion and mercy to her troubled situation. “my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.” : This is the crucial part. The word "grievous" means extremely serious or painful. She’s saying she’s being tormented by an evil force – a demon, perhaps - causing her great distress and worry. What does it mean in a nutshell? This verse highlights Jesus' power and compassion. It suggests that someone facing spiritual problems can turn to Him for help. It’s not about a simple disagreement or misunderstanding; it's about a deep, agonizing struggle with evil forces. Why is this important? Jesus’ Healing Power: The verse emphasizes Jesus’ ability to heal and comfort those who are suffering from spiritual affliction. The Importance of Faith & Trust: It suggests that belief in Jesus and trusting Him can be a powerful way to overcome these struggles. It's about turning to God, even when you feel hopeless. Important Note: This is a very ancient text, dating back to the 1st century. The language used is poetic and symbolic, and it’s not meant to be taken literally in every detail. It’s more about conveying a sense of deep distress and the possibility of divine intervention. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of this verse? Discuss what this story might symbolize? Compare it to other stories in the Bible?