Definition: But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Matthew 15:23. It’s a really interesting one with a lot of layers! Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: Jesus is patiently and calmly ignoring someone who is constantly talking back to him. He’s not reacting with anger or frustration, he’s simply letting her speak without interrupting her. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: "But he answered her not a word." This is the key part. Jesus isn't saying anything to her – he’s completely ignoring her. It’s like he’s deliberately choosing not to respond. "And his disciples came and besought him..." The disciples, who were following Jesus, are pleading with him to stop her. They’re trying to get him to address the situation. "...saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us." This is the core of what's happening. They’re telling him that she’s constantly repeating his words – like she’s echoing him. The word "crieth" means to shout or repeat something loudly. So, they're saying she's endlessly repeating his teachings and opinions. So, what’s the point of this? This is a powerful example of Jesus’ teaching about listening. It’s a reminder that: He wants us to listen to Him , not to others. It’s more important for him to hear our words than to respond to those who aren't listening. We should be quiet and respectful when talking to Him. He doesn't want constant conversation, especially if it’s disruptive or pointless. In essence, the verse is a gentle but firm instruction to focus on what Jesus teaches and avoid getting drawn into endless chatter. --- Do you have any specific questions about this verse that you'd like me to answer? For example, would you like: A deeper explanation of the meaning behind "listening"? How this verse relates to other parts of the Bible? A simple analogy to help illustrate it?