What Old Testament prophecies connect to Jesus' question in Matthew 22:41? Jesus’ exchange in Matthew 22:41–46 • “While the Pharisees were assembled, Jesus questioned them, saying, ‘What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?’ They said, ‘David’s.’ ” (22:41-42a) • By quoting Psalm 110:1, Jesus shows the Messiah is both David’s Son and David’s sovereign Lord, uniting two lines of prophecy that only the incarnate, exalted Christ can fulfill. Psalm 110:1—The prophecy Jesus cites • “The LORD said to my Lord: ‘Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.’ ” • David, “in the Spirit” (Matthew 22:43), records YHWH addressing David’s future descendant as “my Lord,” revealing that the Messiah will be divine, exalted, and share God’s throne authority. The Davidic covenant backdrop • 2 Samuel 7:12-13—“I will raise up your offspring after you … and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.” • Psalm 132:11—“The LORD has sworn to David … ‘One of your descendants I will set upon your throne.’ ” These promises make “Son of David” a rightful Messianic title. Isaiah’s royal prophecies • Isaiah 9:6-7—“For unto us a Child is born … the government will be upon His shoulders … of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David….” • Isaiah 11:1-2—“A shoot will spring up from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots will bear fruit. The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him….” Isaiah confirms both Davidic descent and Spirit-anointed rule. Jeremiah and Ezekiel on the righteous Branch • Jeremiah 23:5-6—“I will raise up for David a righteous Branch … This is the name by which He will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness.” • Ezekiel 34:23-24—“I will place over them one Shepherd, My servant David, and He will feed them….” • Ezekiel 37:24-25—“My servant David will be king over them … and David My servant will be their prince forever.” These passages match Jesus’ claim to be both Shepherd-King and everlasting Lord. Messiah’s universal dominion foretold • Psalm 2:6-8—“I have installed My King on Zion … Ask Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance.” • Daniel 7:13-14—“One like a son of man … was given authority, glory, and sovereign power; all nations … worshiped Him.” Such texts echo Psalm 110’s promise of an enthroned, victorious ruler. Micah and Amos reaffirm the Davidic hope • Micah 5:2—“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah … out of you will come forth a ruler for Me—One whose origins are from of old, from the days of eternity.” • Amos 9:11—“In that day I will restore David’s fallen tent … and rebuild it as in days of old.” Bethlehem pinpoints His birthplace; “days of eternity” hints at divinity. How the prophecies converge in Christ • Born in David’s town (Luke 2:4-11), legally Joseph’s heir yet David’s Lord (Matthew 1; Luke 3; Acts 2:34-36). • Declared Son of God with power by resurrection (Romans 1:3-4), seated at God’s right hand (Hebrews 1:3; 10:12-13), exactly as Psalm 110 promises. • Will return to subdue every enemy (1 Corinthians 15:24-27), completing the footstool imagery. Psalm 110:1 stands at the center of Jesus’ question, but the whole tapestry—2 Samuel 7, Isaiah 9 & 11, Jeremiah 23, Ezekiel 37, Psalm 2, Daniel 7, Micah 5—forms the prophetic backdrop. Together they affirm that the Messiah must be both David’s Son and David’s divine Lord, a truth fulfilled perfectly in Jesus. |
    |