Luke 20:42

Luke 20:42, in plain English

Jesus quotes David's own writing: 'The Lord said to my Lord: Sit at My right hand.' David calls the Messiah 'my Lord' — which means the Messiah is greater than David himself.

Why it's here

If the Messiah were just David's descendant, David wouldn't call him Lord. The Messiah is David's son but also David's God. Jesus is revealing His own identity.

Who's speaking

Jesus quotes Psalm 110, letting David's own words make the case for the Messiah's divine nature.

Where it sits in the story

David, the greatest king of Israel, calls someone 'my Lord.' That someone is the Messiah. If the Messiah is David's Lord, He's not just a royal descendant — He's divine.

The scholarly reading

Jesus cites Psalm 110:1, where David writes: 'The Lord said to my Lord, sit at My right hand.' This is the most quoted OT text in the NT and establishes the Messiah's divine authority.

Language and setting

Psalm 110 was universally accepted as Davidic and messianic. The 'Lord' (YHWH) addresses David's 'Lord' (Adonai/the Messiah), placing the Messiah at God's right hand — the position of supreme authority and shared divine rule.

Voice

Jesus quotes David's own words from Psalm 110:1, the premier messianic psalm.

Significance

Jesus quotes David's most important messianic psalm: God invites the Messiah to sit at His right hand. If David calls the Messiah 'my Lord,' the Messiah must be greater than David — not merely his descendant.

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.”’

44Thus David calls Him ‘Lord.’ So how can He be David’s son?”

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.