The story of the Canaanite woman reflects a unique emphasis on inclusion of Gentiles, indicating intent on Matthew’s part to establish Jesus as the interpreter of the “New Law” and establish a model by which Jews interact with proselytes. Ehrman (2016) argues that Matthew continuously attempts to show that Jesus provides the true understanding of the Jewish Law – one that is based on a love of God and a love of one’s neighbor. Jesus in Matthew does not stand in opposition to Jewish Law and traditions, rather, he fulfills and intensities them. This story serves not just as a reinforcement of Jewish priority – the woman must become a Jew before she was be given a Jewish miracle – but as an assertion of the New Law – that help and salvation will
