Leaving that place
This phrase indicates a transition in Jesus' ministry. The Greek word for "leaving" is "ἐξελθών" (exelthōn), which implies a deliberate departure. Jesus often moved from one location to another to fulfill His mission, avoiding confrontation with the Pharisees and seeking solitude for prayer and teaching. This movement reflects His strategic approach to ministry, ensuring that His message reached diverse audiences.

Jesus withdrew
The Greek word "ἀνεχώρησεν" (anechōrēsen) suggests a purposeful retreat. Jesus often withdrew to avoid escalating tensions with religious leaders or to find rest and solitude. This withdrawal is not an act of fear but a strategic decision to continue His work without unnecessary conflict. It also highlights His humanity, needing time away from the crowds to recharge and commune with the Father.

to the district of Tyre and Sidon
Tyre and Sidon were ancient Phoenician cities located in what is now modern-day Lebanon. These cities were known for their wealth and commerce, often associated with pagan practices. By entering this Gentile region, Jesus demonstrates the universality of His mission. The Greek term "μέρη" (merē) for "district" indicates a broader area, suggesting that Jesus was not confined to Jewish territories. This movement foreshadows the Great Commission, where the Gospel would be preached to all nations, breaking ethnic and cultural barriers. Historically, Tyre and Sidon had complex relationships with Israel, often seen as adversaries, yet Jesus' presence there signifies the breaking down of enmity and the extension of grace beyond Israel.

(21) Into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.--St. Mark (Mark 7:31) says (in the best MSS.) our Lord passed, after the miracle, "through Sidon," and so we have the one recorded exception to that self-imposed law of His ministry which kept Him within the limits of the land of Israel. To the disciples it might seem that He was simply withdrawing from conflict with the excited hostility of His Pharisee opponents. We may see a relation between the two acts not unlike that which afterwards connected the vision of Peter at Joppa with his entry into the house of Cornelius at Caesarea. He was showing in act, as before in word (Matthew 11:21), that He regarded Tyre and Sidon as standing on the same level as Chorazin and Bethsaida. The dust of the heathen cities was not more defiling than that of Capernaum. The journey from Capernaum to Tyre was one which might be made in one long day of active walking.

Verses 21-28. - Healing of the daughter of the Canaanitish woman. (Mark 7:24-30.) Verse 21. - Went thence. Jesus left the place, probably Capernaum, where the above discourse had been held, and where it was no longer safe for him to remain. He had grievously offended the dominant party by his outspoken words concerning purity and defilement; therefore, to escape any premature violence, he departed to a more secure quarter. Into the coasts (ta\ me/rh, "the parts") of Tyre and Sidon. The word "coasts" here, ver. 22, and elsewhere, does not mean "seacoasts," but "borders." The Authorized Version conveys a wrong impression by its use of the word. These two cities lay on the coast of Galilee, and had never been really conquered by the Israelites, though allotted to the tribe of Asher. There was no very exact limitation of territory between Phoenician (of which they were the capitals) and Jewish land, but there was a great moral distinction. The Phoenicians were sunk in the grossest idolatry; the worship of Baal and Ashtaroth reigned among them with all its depravity and pollution. Whether our Lord actually entered this district, or only approached its confines, is a matter of dispute. The language in the two extant accounts is ambiguous, and might be taken to imply either proceeding. But we cannot suppose that Christ betook himself to the close neighbourhood of those evil towns. His injunction to the apostles, when he sent them on their missionary tour, to abstain from going into any way of the Gentiles or entering any Samaritan city (Matthew 10:5), and his own declaration which shortly follows, that he was sent to the house of Israel, alike preclude the idea that he ever passed beyond the boundaries of the Holy Land. The woman, too, who appealed to him is said to have "come out away from those borders" - an expression which could hardly have been used if Christ had at this time been within them. And that he did no mighty work in these Phoenician cities may be gathered from his denunciation of Chorazin and Bethsaida for not showing the appreciation of his power and mercy which these centres of heathendom would have exhibited had they been equally favoured (see Matthew 11:21; Luke 10:13). If, as Chrysostom suggests, Jesus, by going to these partly Gentile districts, wished to give a practical commentary on the abrogation of the distinction between clean and unclean (breaking down the wall of partition between Jew and Gentile), this lesson was given equally well by the acceptance and commendation of the Gentile woman's faith, even though Christ himself was outside of pagan territory.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Leaving
ἐξελθὼν (exelthōn)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1831: To go out, come out. From ek and erchomai; to issue.

that place,
ἐκεῖθεν (ekeithen)
Adverb
Strong's 1564: Thence, from that place. From ekei; thence.

Jesus
Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.

withdrew
ἀνεχώρησεν (anechōrēsen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 402: From ana and choreo; to retire.

to
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

the
τὰ (ta)
Article - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

district
μέρη (merē)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3313: A part, portion, share. From an obsolete but more primary form of meiromai; a division or share.

of Tyre
Τύρου (Tyrou)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 5184: Tyre, an ancient city, the capital of Phoenicia. Of Hebrew origin: Tyrus, a place in Palestine.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

Sidon.
Σιδῶνος (Sidōnos)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 4605: Sidon, a great coast city of Phoenicia. Of Hebrew origin; Sidon, a place in Palestine.


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NT Gospels: Matthew 15:21 Jesus went out from there and withdrew (Matt. Mat Mt)