Matthew 22:42

Matthew 22:42, in plain English

Jesus asks a straightforward question: whose descendant is the Messiah? The Pharisees confidently answer that He's the son of David. They're right, but they're about to find out there's more to it.

Why it's here

Everyone in Israel expected the Messiah to come from King David's family line. The Pharisees give the textbook answer without realizing Jesus is leading them somewhere deeper.

Who's speaking

Jesus asks and the Pharisees answer, walking right into a question that will leave them stunned.

Where it sits in the story

It seems like an easy question with an obvious answer. But Jesus is about to show them that the Messiah is far greater than they ever imagined.

The scholarly reading

Jesus asks whose son the Christ (Mashiach) is. The Pharisees answer 'David's' (tou Dauid), reflecting the standard Jewish expectation of a Davidic Messiah based on 2 Samuel 7 and related prophecies.

Language and setting

The Pharisees' answer is correct but incomplete. The Messiah is indeed David's descendant, but He is also much more. Jesus is about to expose this limitation.

Voice

Both Jesus and the Pharisees speak. Jesus asks; the Pharisees give the conventional, technically correct answer.

Significance

Jesus sets His trap with a simple question. The Pharisees answer correctly — the Messiah is David's son. But they don't realize they've only given half the answer.

40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

41While the Pharisees were assembled, Jesus questioned them:

42“What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is He?”

43Jesus said to them, “How then does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord’? For he says:

44‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand until I put Your enemies under Your feet.”’

Read all of Matthew 22 — A wedding banquet, a trick question about taxes, and the greatest commandment — Jesus outmaneuvers every trap set for him.