Have Mercy on Me

Matthew's gospel begins and ends with the Jewish-Gentile debate, and at the heart of both the issue and the gospel is the story of the Canaanite woman. It is a story that reveals tension between Jews and proselytes in Matthew's community and responds to the question, 'What must one do to be a member of the community'? This study focuses on the stereotype of the woman as a Canaanite as well as Matthew's sources and the form of the story. The conclusion is that the story reflects a reinforcement of Jewish law that allows gentiles to attain membership in the Matthean community, thus continuing the Jewish tradition that allows gentiles into the faith.