What Does Matthew 15:22 Mean in the King James?

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.

Matthew 15:22 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

THE KEY

Her daughter’s torment becomes the mother’s own plea, revealing compassion as another’s anguish carried into one’s own voice.

THE MEANING

A mother brings her daughter’s torment into the open as a direct plea to Jesus. She asks mercy for herself while carrying her daughter’s pain in her cry, and addresses him as Lord and Son of David.

THE ROOT

ἐλέησον

eleēson

GROWS FROM

ἐλεέω

eleeō

To show mercy or take pity; to respond with compassion.

She asks for mercy on herself while naming her daughter’s anguish, so compassion here reaches across another’s suffering. The related word ⁨ἐλεημοσύνη⁩ (eleēmosynē, “almsgiving”) connects this word family with mercy expressed through concrete care.

ALSO GROWS

eleos: Mercy, compassion.

ἔλεος

The related noun makes clear that her request is for compassion, not merely relief from a difficult circumstance.

eleēmosynē: Almsgiving; an act of mercy.

ἐλεημοσύνη

This branch shows the word family can extend from felt compassion to care expressed in action.

דָּוִד

David

GROWS FROM

דוד

dod

Beloved.

The title “Son of David” carries royal lineage and the resonance of David’s name, rooted in ⁨דוד⁩ (dod, “beloved”). Her plea joins an appeal to authority with an address shaped by belovedness.

ALSO GROWS

dod: Beloved; also a loved one or kinsman.

דּוֹד

This root carries the beloved resonance within David’s name.

dodi: My beloved.

דּוֹדִי

The possessive form makes the root’s language of belovedness explicit.

THE PATTERN

A cry names need directly and reaches toward mercy as a response.

Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily.

Psalm 86:3 · KJVThe speaker joins a direct plea for mercy to an ongoing cry.

And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us.

Matthew 9:27 · KJVLike the woman, these voices address Jesus as Son of David and ask him directly for mercy.

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:16 · KJVThe verse presents mercy as something approached in the very moment of need.

THE THREAD

And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.

Mark 10:47 · KJV

Both voices use the same Greek plea, ⁨ἐλέησον⁩ (eleēson, “show mercy”), and address Jesus as “Son of David.” The repeated words join a request for compassion to David’s name, rooted in ⁨דוד⁩ (dod, “beloved”).

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