Luke 20:41

And he said unto them, How say they that Christ is David's son?

And {G1161} he said {G2036} unto {G4314} them {G846}, How {G4459} say {G3004} they that Christ {G5547} is {G1511} David's {G1138} son {G5207}?

But he said to them, “How is it that people say the Messiah is David’s son?”

Then Jesus declared, “How can it be said that the Christ is the Son of David?

And he said unto them, How say they that the Christ is David’s son?

Commentary

In Luke 20:41, Jesus turns the tables on the religious leaders who have been attempting to trap Him with questions. Having successfully silenced the Sadducees on the resurrection and the Pharisees on the greatest commandment, Jesus now poses a challenge to their understanding of the Messiah's identity. This verse sets the stage for a profound theological discussion about the nature of the Christ.

Context

This question from Jesus comes within a series of confrontations with the chief priests, scribes, and elders in the temple, shortly before His crucifixion. They had challenged His authority, and He had responded with parables and direct answers that exposed their hypocrisy and limited understanding. The prevailing Jewish expectation of the Messiah was that He would be a human king, a powerful descendant of King David, who would liberate Israel from Roman rule and restore their earthly kingdom. This understanding was deeply rooted in the Davidic Covenant, which promised an eternal throne to David's lineage.

Key Themes

  • The Messiah's True Identity: Jesus challenges the common, yet incomplete, understanding of the Messiah. While it was true that the Christ would be a descendant of David (His human lineage), Jesus' question hints at a deeper, divine aspect of His nature.
  • Divine and Human Natures of Christ: This verse subtly introduces the mystery of Christ's dual nature. He is indeed the "Son of David" (fully human, of David's line), but He is also "David's Lord" (fully divine), as explored in the subsequent verses (Luke 20:42-44).
  • Jesus' Authority and Wisdom: By asking this question, Jesus demonstrates His superior understanding of the Scriptures and His Messianic authority, forcing His opponents to consider truths beyond their traditional interpretations.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Christ": The Greek word Christos (Χριστός) means "Anointed One," which is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew "Messiah." It is a title, not merely a name, signifying the long-awaited deliverer chosen and appointed by God.
  • "David's son": This refers to the prophesied human lineage of the Messiah, emphasizing His royal claim to the throne of Israel through His descent from King David. It was a widely accepted Messianic title.

Related Scriptures

This passage has direct parallels in other Gospels, highlighting its importance in understanding Jesus' identity:

The answer to Jesus' question, which follows in the next verses, comes from Psalm 110:1, where David calls the Messiah "my Lord." This is crucial for understanding Jesus' full identity, drawing from His subsequent explanation in Luke 20:42-44. The duality of Christ's nature is also affirmed in Romans 1:3-4.

Practical Application

Luke 20:41 challenges us to move beyond superficial understandings of Jesus. It encourages us to:

  • Seek a Deeper Understanding of Christ: Like the religious leaders, we might have preconceived notions about who Jesus is. This verse prompts us to delve into Scripture to grasp His full deity and humanity.
  • Acknowledge Jesus' Lordship: Understanding that Jesus is not just a historical figure or a great teacher, but truly God incarnate, demands our worship and obedience. He is not only David's son but also David's Lord, and our Lord.
  • Question Our Assumptions: Jesus' method here teaches us to critically examine our own beliefs and traditions in light of God's revealed truth, ensuring our understanding aligns with the whole counsel of Scripture.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Mark 12:35

    ¶ And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the Son of David?

  • Mark 12:37

    David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he [then] his son? And the common people heard him gladly.

  • Matthew 1:1

    ¶ The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

  • Matthew 22:41

    ¶ While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,

  • Matthew 22:45

    If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?

  • Isaiah 11:1

    ¶ And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:

  • Isaiah 11:2

    And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;
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