In this paper, I will both explain the social groups in Mark 7:24-30 and explain the metaphor of the children and the dogs to prove that the Syrophoenician woman talking to Jesus was surprising because background as a Gentile. In this paragraph I will be explaining the historical context that includes the location of where the passage takes place and the background of the womans’ faith. The passage takes place in Tyre, a Phoenician city with a Gentile population. Because of this, Jews of course did not live in Tyre so it would be very unlikely for Jesus to go there because there wouldn’t be any believers. The woman was a Gentile and Jews despised Gentiles not because of their cultural differences but because of their difference in idols and
