Mark 12:35-37
And as Jesus taught in the temple, he said, “How can the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David? David himself, in the Holy Spirit, declared, “‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet.”’ David himself calls him Lord. So how is he his son?” And the great throng heard him gladly.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jesus isn't just questioning a common belief; he's highlighting a profound theological puzzle the scribes ignored. By asking "How do the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David?", he's pointing out their selective understanding, failing to reconcile this lineage with the divine testimony of David calling the Messiah "Lord." This reveals their shallow interpretation missed the astonishing greatness of the Christ, who was both descendant and divine Lord.
After Jesus has silenced the Pharisees and Sadducees with His teachings, He poses a challenging question to the scribes, who claimed the Messiah would be the son of David. Jesus asks how they reconcile this belief with David's own words, spoken by the Holy Spirit, calling the Messiah "Lord." This sets the stage for Jesus to reveal the Messiah's divine nature, which transcends mere human lineage.
The religious leaders had a 'correct' answer about the Messiah, but it was missing a crucial piece. What did they get right, and where did they fall short?
Jesus challenges the scribes' understanding of the Messiah. They correctly identified the Messiah as the 'Son of David,' a lineage that fulfilled prophecy. However, their view was limited to his human descent and earthly role.
A Messianic Expectation
The scribes focused on the Messiah as a descendant of David, an heir to his throne. This was a significant part of God's promise, pointing to a king who would bring restoration and rule.
Missing the Divine Dimension
While the Davidic lineage was true, the scribes overlooked a critical aspect: the Messiah's divine identity. They saw him primarily as a human king, failing to grasp his higher nature and authority.
Jesus turns the tables, using an Old Testament passage to expose a profound paradox: how can David's descendant also be David's Lord?
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Jesus doesn't just question the scribes; he provides the solution by quoting Psalm 110:1. This psalm, inspired by the Holy Spirit, reveals the Messiah's identity in a way that transcends David's understanding of his own lineage.
The Testimony of Scripture
Jesus emphasizes that David himself, 'by the Spirit,' called the Messiah 'Lord.' This isn't a casual remark but a divinely inspired prophetic statement.
A Lord Greater Than His Descendant
The core of Jesus's argument is the logical impossibility of a descendant being simultaneously superior to his ancestor in the way David addresses the Messiah. If David calls this future 'Son' his 'Lord,' then this 'Son' must possess a status and authority far beyond that of a mere human king.
Pointing to Divinity
This 'Lord' whom David acknowledges is not just another king in David's line but someone to whom David himself, the king, submits. This points directly to the divine nature of the Messiah, the one true King.
Understand the original words
Christos · Greek Noun
The Greek translation of the Hebrew 'Messiah' (Anointed One); the promised deliverer from the line of David who fulfills the Old Testament covenants.
Dauid · Greek Noun
A title highlighting the Messianic descent and legal right to the throne of Israel, fulfilling God's covenantal promise to King David.
pneuma hagion · Greek Noun
The third person of the Trinity, fully divine, who inspired the prophets and indwells believers to guide, empower, and sanctify them. His presence is essential for understanding and communicating divine truth.
kyrios · Greek Noun
A title of supreme authority and sovereignty, used in the Old Testament as the personal name of God (Yahweh) and in the New Testament to signify the lordship of Jesus Christ. It denotes one who possesses ownership, mastership, and divine authority over all creation.
dexios · Greek Noun
A position of supreme authority, power, and honor at the side of a king. Sitting at the right hand of God represents the exaltation of Christ following His resurrection and ascension, signifying His shared rule and divine status.
echthros · Greek Noun
Those who oppose God, His kingdom, and His people. In a messianic context, it refers to all powers and forces—including sin, death, and spiritual wickedness—that are ultimately subjected to Christ's authority.
hyios · Greek Noun
A title for the Messiah, signifying both His human descent from the royal line of David and His unique status as the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant. The term highlights the paradox of the Messiah being both David's human descendant and his divine Lord.
Jesus is challenging the limited understanding of the scribes, who focus only on the Messiah's Davidic lineage, without grasping his divine nature as shown in Psalm 110.
c. 7th-5th century BC
Compilation of the Psalms
The Book of Psalms, including Psalm 110 which Jesus quotes, is compiled and becomes authoritative scripture for Jewish people.
c. 2nd century BC - 1st century AD
Messianic Expectations Grow
As the Jewish people face foreign occupation and political instability, expectations for a Messiah, often envisioned as a Davidic king, intensify.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus' Public Ministry Begins
Jesus begins his public ministry, performing miracles and teaching about the Kingdom of God, eventually leading to claims of him being the Messiah.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus Teaches in the Temple
Jesus is teaching in the Jerusalem Temple, a central location for religious authority and debate, in the final week of his earthly ministry.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus is Crucified
Jesus is executed by Roman authorities, an event that profoundly impacts his followers' understanding of his identity and mission.
This is the very psalm David quotes in this passage, directly referring to the Messiah as both David's 'son' (descendant) and his 'Lord,' a paradox Jesus uses to challenge the scribes' limited understanding.
Matthew 22:42This parallel account from Matthew provides the immediate context, showing Jesus posing the question about the Christ's identity to the Pharisees after they tried to trap Him.
Isaiah 9:6-7This prophetic passage describes the coming child who will be a descendant of David, yet also possesses divine titles like 'Mighty God' and 'Everlasting Father,' aligning with Jesus' argument that the Messiah is more than just a human ruler.
John 8:58Jesus echoes a similar divine claim here, stating 'Before Abraham was, I AM,' which highlights His pre-existence and divine nature, further contrasting with the scribes' purely human lineage view of the Messiah.
2 Samuel 7:12-16This passage records God's promise to David that one of his descendants would have an everlasting kingdom, setting the stage for the Davidic lineage, but Jesus pushes beyond this to reveal the Messiah's superior divine identity.
barnesMark 12:35: "And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the Son of David?"
See the notes at Matthew 22:41-46 .
expositorsMark 12:35-40: "And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the Son of David?"
CHAPTER 12:35-40 (Mark 12:35-40)DAVID'S LORD "And Jesus answered and said, as He taught in the temple, How say the scribes that the Christ is the Son of David? David himself said in the Holy Spirit,-- The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit Thou on My right hand, Till I make Thine enemies the footstool of Thy feet. David himself calleth Him Lord; and whence is He his son? An…
Jesus isn't just questioning a common belief; he's highlighting a profound theological puzzle the scribes ignored. By asking "How do the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David?", he's pointing out their selective understanding, failing to reconcile this lineage with the divine testimony of David calling the Messiah "Lord." This reveals their shallow interpretation missed the astonishing greatness of the Christ, who was both descendant and divine Lord.
After Jesus has silenced the Pharisees and Sadducees with His teachings, He poses a challenging question to the scribes, who claimed the Messiah would be the son of David. Jesus asks how they reconcile this belief with David's own words, spoken by the Holy Spirit, calling the Messiah "Lord." This sets the stage for Jesus to reveal the Messiah's divine nature, which transcends mere human lineage.
After Jesus has silenced the Pharisees and Sadducees with His teachings, He poses a challenging question to the scribes, who claimed the Messiah would be the son of David. Jesus asks how they reconcile this belief with David's own words, spoken by the Holy Spirit, calling the Messiah "Lord." This sets the stage for Jesus to reveal the Messiah's divine nature, which transcends mere human lineage.
"And as Jesus taught in the temple, he said, “How can the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David? David himself, in the Holy Spirit, declared,
“‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
until I put your ene…" — Jesus isn't just questioning a common belief; he's highlighting a profound theological puzzle the scribes ignored. By asking "How do the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David?", he's pointi…
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