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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
See at any rate how worthy this woman is of every benefit. For she durst not even come to Jerusalem, fearing, and accounting herself unworthy. For were it not for this, she would have come there, as is evident both from her present earnestness, and from her coming out of her own coasts. The evangelist speaks against the woman, that he may show forth her marvellous act, and celebrate her praise the more. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
The woman said, "Have mercy, not on my daughter, who is unconscious, but on me who am suffering and experiencing these terrible things." And she did not say, "Come and heal," but "Have mercy."
Western Saints
Hilary of Poitiers
To grasp the inner motive of the Canaanite woman for obtaining what came to pass, we must reflect on the impact of her words. There is a firm belief that there was and still is in Israel a community of proselytes who passed over from the Gentiles into the works of the law. They had left behind their previous life and were bonded by the religion of a foreign and dominating law as though from home. The Canaanites were inhabiting the lands of present-day Judea. …
Thomas Aquinas
And behold a woman. Here the insistence of the woman is presented. In her petition three things are signified. First, piety; second, faith; third, humility; and these are necessary for obtaining what one asks. The second begins at but she came and adored him; the third at but she said: yes, Lord. First, her entreaty is presented; second, the support of the disciples, at and his disciples came and besought him. …
Glossa Ordinaria
The great faith of this Chananæan woman is herein shewed. She believes Him to be God, in that she calls Him Lord; and man, in that she calls Him Son of David. She claims nothing of her own desert, but craves only God's mercy. And she says not, Have mercy on my daughter, but Have mercy on me; because the affliction of the daughter is the affliction of the mother. …
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