What is the meaning of Luke 20:44? Thus David calls Him ‘Lord.’ • Jesus is drawing from Psalm 110:1, where David, “speaking by the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 22:43), writes, “The LORD said to my Lord, ‘Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.’” • David, Israel’s greatest earthly king, acknowledges Someone greater than himself. In calling this future figure “Lord,” he recognizes: – Supreme authority that even a monarch must bow to (Psalm 110:1; Acts 2:34-36). – A seat at God’s right hand, a place reserved for divine honor (Hebrews 1:13). • This shows the Messiah is not merely another earthly ruler but One who shares God’s throne, highlighting His deity and eternal reign (Psalm 45:6-7; Revelation 19:16). So how can He be David’s son? • Jewish expectation held that the Messiah would descend from David’s royal line (2 Samuel 7:12-16; Jeremiah 23:5-6). Jesus affirms that truth yet presses further. • By raising this question, He reveals a two-fold identity: – According to the flesh, He is “a descendant of David” (Romans 1:3; Luke 3:31). – According to His eternal nature, He is David’s Lord, “declared to be the Son of God with power” (Romans 1:4). • The incarnation brings these strands together: – Born in Bethlehem, “the city of David” (Luke 2:11), fulfilling the promise of a physical heir. – Possessing pre-existence and divine authority that precedes David (John 1:1-14; Isaiah 9:6-7). • Jesus’ question unmasks shallow views of the Messiah and calls listeners to recognize Him as both sovereign Lord and promised Son (Revelation 22:16). summary Jesus quotes Psalm 110 to show that the Messiah is greater than David. David’s own words identify the Coming One as “Lord,” placing Him on God’s throne. Yet Scripture also testifies that the Messiah is David’s offspring. In Jesus, these truths meet: He is truly David’s son through His human lineage and eternally David’s Lord by divine nature. Luke 20:44 challenges every reader to see the Messiah not merely as a human liberator but as God-incarnate King, worthy of absolute allegiance and worship. |
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