People who had been to Galilee and had seen the
miracles there had returned and told the others
what had happened. Apparently, word of His
coming had gotten there before Him.

As soon as He reached the area, a woman came to
Him for help saying, "Have mercy on me, O Lord,
thou son of David; my daughter is grievously
vexed with a devil."

They must have thought that Jesus would answer
her prayer immediately. But if He had, He would
be presenting His kingdom to the Gentile world.
By birth she was a Canaanite; by position a subject
of Rome; and by culture a Greek.

"But He answered her not a word." Jesus had a
reason for delaying.