Luke 20:41

Luke 20:41, in plain English

Now Jesus asks His own question: how can people say the Messiah is merely David's son? He's about to show that the Messiah is something much greater.

Why it's here

Everyone assumed the Messiah would be a descendant of David — and He is. But Jesus reveals He's also something more: David's Lord. The Messiah is both human and divine.

Who's speaking

Jesus takes the offensive and poses a question about His own identity that no one can answer.

Where it sits in the story

After silencing every challenger, Jesus drops a question of His own. It's about who the Messiah really is — and the answer is bigger than anyone imagined.

The scholarly reading

Jesus now takes the initiative, posing His own question about the Messiah's identity: how can the Christ (Christos) be called David's 'son' when David himself calls Him 'Lord'?

Language and setting

Having silenced all challengers, Jesus goes on the offensive with a christological question. The 'Son of David' title was the standard messianic designation, but Jesus shows it is insufficient to capture the Messiah's full identity.

Voice

Jesus poses a question about the Messiah's identity that challenges conventional understanding.

Significance

Now it's Jesus' turn to ask. He raises a question no one has considered: if the Messiah is David's descendant, why does David call Him 'Lord'? The Messiah must be more than just David's son.

39Some of the scribes answered, “Teacher, You have spoken well!”

40And they did not dare to question Him any further.

41Then Jesus declared, “How can it be said that the Christ is the Son of David?

42For David himself says in the book of Psalms: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand

43until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”’

Read all of Luke 20 — The religious leaders challenge Jesus' authority. He answers with a parable about murderous tenants that leaves them furious and afraid.