“‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet”’?
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is highlighting that David, who is considered the ancestor of the Messiah, refers to him as "my Lord." This isn't just a clever wordplay; it's a profound clue that the Messiah, while humanly descended from David, is far greater than any mere human king, possessing a divine authority that transcends lineage. It points directly to Jesus' unique divine identity, which the religious leaders were conveniently overlooking.
“‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet”’?
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just silenced the Pharisees and Sadducees with his parables and is now turning the tables, asking them about their understanding of the Messiah. By quoting Psalm 110, Jesus challenges their limited view of the Christ as merely a descendant of David, forcing them to confront the divine nature and supreme authority of the Messiah.
Jesus turns the tables on the Pharisees with a brilliant question. What was he really trying to expose with this riddle about David?
Jesus isn't just playing a word game here. He's using a well-known Old Testament passage (Psalm 110:1) to highlight a profound truth the religious leaders were missing.
The Problem with Their Thinking
The Pharisees were fixated on the idea that the Messiah would simply be a human descendant of David, a political king who would restore Israel's earthly kingdom. They focused on his humanity and overlooked his divinity.
Jesus's Divine Challenge
Jesus asks, 'How then did David, by the Spirit, call him Lord?' (v. 43). If the Messiah were merely David's son and descendant, why would David himself call him 'Lord'? This implies a status far greater than any human son or descendant.
Jesus is essentially saying: 'You understand the Messiah is David's son, but do you understand he is also David's Lord? This points to his divine nature, a truth they were unwilling to accept.
The imagery of sitting at God's 'right hand' is powerful. What does this elevated position truly signify for Jesus and his mission?
The phrase 'Sit at my right hand' isn't just about honor; it signifies supreme authority and power.
A Shared Rule
Ask a follow-up
In ancient courts, the right hand of a ruler was reserved for the most trusted, the second-in-command. For Jesus to sit at God the Father's right hand means he shares in God's authority to rule the universe. This isn't a temporary or delegated power; it's a position of supreme governance.
The Guarantee of Victory
The phrase 'until I put your enemies under your feet' assures us of Christ's ultimate triumph. His reign isn't passive; it's actively subjugating all opposition. This includes spiritual enemies – sin, death, and Satan himself – as well as any earthly forces that stand against God's kingdom.
This promise guarantees that Christ's reign will be victorious and eternal. No opposition will ultimately succeed against him.
Understand the original words
dexios · Greek Noun/Adjective
A position of supreme authority, power, and shared rule. Sitting at God's right hand denotes the exaltation of the Messiah, signifying His participation in divine sovereignty and His triumph over all spiritual and earthly opposition.
echthros · Greek Noun
Those who oppose the purposes of God and the reign of the Messiah. In Scripture, this includes spiritual forces, sin, death, and all who reject the rule of Christ, all of whom are ultimately destined for subjugation under the Messiah's feet.
Jesus confronts the religious leaders' limited understanding of the Messiah by quoting Psalm 110, highlighting that David himself recognized the Messiah as his Lord, not merely his descendant, thus pointing to Jesus' divine nature and authority.
c. 1000 BC
Davidic Kingdom Established
King David establishes Jerusalem as the capital of a united Israel, creating a Davidic dynasty that becomes the hope for a future king from his line.
c. 970 BC
Solomon's Temple Construction Begins
David's son Solomon begins building the First Temple in Jerusalem, solidifying the religious and political center of the kingdom.
722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern kingdom of Israel, exiling its people and highlighting the vulnerability of the divided kingdoms.
586 BC
Babylonian Exile Begins
The Babylonians destroy Jerusalem and the First Temple, exiling many Judeans. This event profoundly shapes Jewish identity and expectation for a restored kingdom.
c. 400 BC
Psalm 110 Written
The psalm quoted by Jesus, Psalm 110, is written, likely by David, and speaks of a priestly king appointed by God.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Jesus' Ministry and Teaching in Jerusalem
During his final week, Jesus teaches in the Jerusalem Temple, challenging the religious leaders and debating messianic expectations.
c. 33 AD
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
Jesus is crucified and then resurrected, fulfilling prophecies and establishing the foundation for the Christian Church.
This is the direct Old Testament passage Jesus is quoting, establishing the foundational prophetic declaration of the Messiah's divine authority and victorious reign.
1 Corinthians 15:25This New Testament passage echoes the concept of Christ reigning until all enemies are put under his feet, reinforcing the theme of Christ's ultimate victory and authority over all opposition.
Hebrews 1:3This verse describes Christ as 'the radiance of the glory of God, and the exact imprint of his nature, and upholding the universe by his word of power,' which directly supports the understanding of Christ's divine nature and supreme authority as highlighted in Matthew 22:44.
Philippians 2:9-11This passage speaks of God highly exalting Jesus and giving him the name above every name, so that at his name every knee should bow, further illustrating the exaltation and dominion over enemies mentioned in the verse.
calvinMatthew 22:41-46: "While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,"
- And when the Pharisees were assembled, Jesus asked them, 42. Saying, What think you of Christ? whose son is he? They say to him, David's. 43. He saith to them, How then doth David by the Spirit call him Lord, saying, 44. The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, till I have made thy enemies thy footstool? [79] 45. If David then calleth him Lord, how is he his son? 46. And no man could make any reply to h…
henryMatthew 22:41-46: "While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,"
22:41-46 When Christ baffled his enemies, he asked what thoughts they had of the promised Messiah? How he could be the Son of David and yet his Lord? He quotes Ps 110:1. If the Christ was to be a mere man, who would not exist till many ages after David's death, how could his forefather call him Lord? The Pharisees could not answer it. Nor can any solve the difficulty except he allows the Messiah to be the Son of G…
Jesus is highlighting that David, who is considered the ancestor of the Messiah, refers to him as "my Lord." This isn't just a clever wordplay; it's a profound clue that the Messiah, while humanly descended from David, is far greater than any mere human king, possessing a divine authority that transcends lineage. It points directly to Jesus' unique divine identity, which the religious leaders were conveniently overlooking.
Jesus has just silenced the Pharisees and Sadducees with his parables and is now turning the tables, asking them about their understanding of the Messiah. By quoting Psalm 110, Jesus challenges their limited view of the Christ as merely a descendant of David, forcing them to confront the divine nature and supreme authority of the Messiah.
Jesus has just silenced the Pharisees and Sadducees with his parables and is now turning the tables, asking them about their understanding of the Messiah. By quoting Psalm 110, Jesus challenges their limited view of the Christ as merely a descendant of David, forcing them to confront the divine nature and supreme authority of the Messiah.
"“‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet”’?" — Jesus is highlighting that David, who is considered the ancestor of the Messiah, refers to him as "my Lord." This isn't just a clever wordplay; it's a profound clue that the Messiah, while humanly de…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026