Adam Clarke on Matthew 15:22

A woman of Canaan - Matthew gives her this name because of the people from whom she sprung - the descendants of Canaan, Jdg 1:31, Jdg 1:32; but Mark calls her a Syrophenician, because of the country where she dwelt. The Canaanites and Phoenicians have been often confounded. This is frequently the case in the Septuagint. Compare Gen 46:10, with Exo 6:15, where the same person is called a Phoenician in the one place, and a Canaanite in the other. See also the same version in Exo 16:35; Jos 5:12.

The state of this woman is a proper emblem of the state of a sinner, deeply conscious of the misery of his soul.

Have mercy on me, etc. - How proper is this prayer for a penitent! There are many excellencies contained in it;

1. It is short;

2. humble;

3. full of faith;

4. fervent;

5. modest;

6. respectful;

7. rational;

8. relying only on the mercy of God;

9. persevering.

Can one who sees himself a slave of the devil, beg with too much earnestness to be delivered from his thraldom?

Son of David - An essential character of the true Messiah.