Matthew 22:43 - He said to them, “How then does David in the Spirit call him Lord, saying,

Generated Verse: Matthew 22:43

What does "Matthew 22:43" mean?


Matthew 22:43 is part of a larger argument Jesus is making against the Pharisees. To understand its meaning, we need to look at the verses surrounding it and the context of the passage.

Here's a breakdown:

The Setup (Matthew 22:41-42): The Pharisees are gathered, and Jesus poses a question to them: "What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?" They answer, "The son of David." This was the standard Messianic expectation. Everyone knew the Messiah was supposed to be a descendant of David.

The Question (Matthew 22:43-45): Jesus then asks them, "How then does David in the Spirit call him 'Lord,' saying, 'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet"?'" This is a quote from Psalm 110:1.

"How then does David in the Spirit call him Lord...": This is the crucial part. Jesus emphasizes that David in the Spirit (meaning inspired by the Holy Spirit) calls the Messiah "Lord." This implies that the Messiah is more than just a human descendant of David; he is also divine.
Psalm 110:1: This psalm is a messianic prophecy. "The Lord said to my Lord" is a conversation between God the Father and the Messiah (who is also called "Lord"). The Messiah is invited to sit at God's right hand, which is a position of power and authority.
"Until I put your enemies under your feet": This further emphasizes the Messiah's power and future reign.

The Implication (Matthew 22:46): The Pharisees are unable to answer Jesus' question. The verse says, "And no one could answer him a word, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions."

What Does it Mean?

Jesus is using Psalm 110:1 to challenge the Pharisees' limited understanding of the Messiah. They expected a political and military leader from the line of David, a powerful king who would restore Israel. Jesus points out that if the Messiah is only a descendant of David, how could David, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, call him "Lord"?

Here are the key takeaways:

1. The Messiah is more than just a human descendant of David. He is also divine and worthy of being called "Lord."
2. Jesus is subtly revealing his own identity. While not explicitly stating "I am the Messiah," he is planting the seed that the Messiah has a divine nature.
3. The Pharisees were unwilling or unable to grasp the full picture. Their preconceived notions about the Messiah blinded them to the truth.
4. Psalm 110:1 is a key messianic prophecy. It highlights the Messiah's divine status and future reign.

In essence, Jesus' question is a rhetorical trap. If the Messiah is only the son of David, then the psalm doesn't make sense. But if the Messiah is also divine, then the psalm makes perfect sense. The Pharisees were stuck, unable to reconcile their limited understanding with the scriptures. This silence on their part is a powerful affirmation of Jesus' argument.