39 Then some of the scribes answered and said, “Teacher, You have spoken well.” 40 But after that they dared not question Him anymore. 41 And He said to them, “How can they say that the Christ is the Son of David? 42 Now David himself said in the Book of Psalms: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, 43 Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”‘ 44 Therefore David calls Him ‘Lord’; how is He then his Son?” 45 Then, in the hearing of all the people, He said to His disciples, 46 “Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts, 47 who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.”
20:39
Then some of the scribes answered and said, “Teacher, You have spoken well.”
The next group to challenge Jesus after the spies was the scribes. They expressed apparent appreciation for His words.
20:40
But after that they dared not question Him anymore.
The scribes, who were legal experts, decided not to ask Jesus any more questions.
20:41
And He said to them, “How can they say that the Christ is the Son of David?
Now Jesus asked the scribes a question about the nature of the Messiah. The question concerned David’s relationship with the Messiah. The quotation said that the Messiah was David’s descendant; why would David call Him “Lord”?
20:42
Now David himself said in the Book of Psalms: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand,
The Old Testament statement is “Jehovah said to my Lord.” Thus, Jehovah addressed a descendant of David. Jesus understood David as the author of the Psalms. The psalmist cited Jehovah Himself in the psalm.
Jesus’ point in quoting Psalm 110:1 (a messianic psalm) was that the Messiah is more than a simple descendant of David. The psalm referred to the Messiah as his “Lord.” It does not follow to refer to one’s descendant with such honor.
Sitting at the right hand refers to the Lord’s place of honor where He shares Jehovah’s rule (Mark 10:35-45).
20:43
Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” ’
God will make the Messiah’s enemies His footstool, indicating their defeat.
20:44
Therefore David calls Him ‘Lord’; how is He then his Son?”
Jesus’ conclusion from the Psalm 110:1 quotation was that the Messiah was more than David’s son. David’s offspring had greater authority than David (Acts 2:34-36).
The Messiah is so great that Israel’s greatest king called his son “Lord.” Thus, Jesus is the Lord God; He is both human and deity.
20:45
Then, in the hearing of all the people, He said to His disciples,
Jesus began to warn the population about the scribes.
20:46
“Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts,
Jesus denounced the scribes because their motivation was honor from men while walking around in long flowing robes. Greed and pride were their values.
20:47
who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.”
Jesus warned that the scribes took advantage of widows, incurring God’s judgment. They made lengthy prayers to parade their piety.
PRINCIPLE:
The Son of David is also David’s Lord.
APPLICATION:
Jesus as the Messiah carries surpassing greatness, much greater than King David. He is greater because He is David’s Lord. Jehovah gave Him authority to judge the world; the first of the two occurred at the resurrection (Acts 2:32-36; 5:31; 7:56), and the second will occur when He returns to reign. David’s offspring became his Lord; Jesus Christ was God Almighty as well as genuinely human.
