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."--BOOK JACKET.