Luke 20:41

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Luke 20:41, Jesus turns the theological tables on the religious leaders who have repeatedly attempted to entrap Him with difficult questions. Having masterfully silenced the Sadducees on the resurrection and the Pharisees on the greatest commandment, Jesus now poses a profound challenge to their prevailing understanding of the Messiah's identity, setting the stage for a deeper revelation of His own divine and human nature.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a series of intense confrontations between Jesus and the religious authorities in the temple courts during His final week in Jerusalem. Following His triumphal entry, Jesus' authority is challenged by the chief priests, scribes, and elders ([Luke 20:1-8](/luke/20-1-8 "Luke 20:1-8 - Jesus' Authority Questioned")). He responds with the Parable of the Wicked Tenants ([Luke 20:9-19](/luke/20-9-19 "Luke 20:9-19 - Parable of the Wicked Tenants")), exposing their rejection of God's messengers. They then try to trap Him with questions about paying taxes to Caesar ([Luke 20:20-26](/luke/20-20-26 "Luke 20:20-26 - Paying Taxes to Caesar")) and the resurrection ([Luke 20:27-40](/luke/20-27-40 "Luke 20:27-40 - The Question About the Resurrection")), all of which Jesus brilliantly counters. Having silenced His adversaries, Jesus takes the initiative in [Luke 20:41](/luke/20-41 "Luke 20:41 - Jesus Questions the Identity of the Christ"), shifting from defense to offense by posing a question that strikes at the heart of their Messianic expectations.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Jewish people in Jesus' time lived under Roman occupation, longing for the promised Messiah to deliver them. The prevailing expectation was that the Messiah would be a powerful, earthly king, a direct descendant of King David, who would restore Israel's sovereignty and usher in a golden age. This hope was deeply rooted in the [Davidic Covenant](/2_samuel/7-12 "2 Samuel 7:12 - The Davidic Covenant"), where God promised David an eternal dynasty. The title "Son of David" was a widely recognized Messianic title, signifying His legitimate claim to the throne of Israel. However, this popular understanding often overlooked or downplayed the prophetic passages that spoke of the Messiah's divine nature and suffering servant role, such as those found in [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant").

* **Key Themes:** [Luke 20:41](/luke/20-41 "Luke 20:41 - Jesus Questions the Identity of the Christ") serves as a pivotal point, contributing significantly to several key themes within Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **The Messiah's True Identity**, challenging the common, yet incomplete, understanding of the Christ. While it was true that the Messiah would be a human descendant of David, Jesus' question points to a deeper, divine aspect of His nature, which is further expounded in [Luke 20:42-44](/luke/20-42-44 "Luke 20:42-44 - David's Lord"). Secondly, the verse subtly introduces the mystery of **Christ's Dual Natures** – His full humanity (as "David's son") and His full divinity (as "David's Lord"). This paradox is central to Christian theology. Finally, Jesus' act of posing this question underscores **His Authority and Wisdom**, demonstrating His superior understanding of the Scriptures and His Messianic prerogative to reveal truths beyond the traditional interpretations held by the religious elite.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **said (Greek, _épō'_):** This verb (G2036) denotes speaking or saying, often in a definite or authoritative manner. In this context, it highlights Jesus' intentionality in initiating this discussion, shifting from merely answering questions to posing a challenging one Himself. It signifies a deliberate communication of profound truth.
* **Christ (Greek, _Christós'_):** The Greek word (G5547) for "Christ" is the equivalent of the Hebrew "Messiah," meaning "Anointed One." It is a title, not a proper name, signifying the long-awaited, divinely appointed deliverer of Israel. Jesus' use of this title here forces His audience to confront their expectations of the Anointed One.
* **David's (Greek, _Dabíd'_):** This refers to King David (G1138), the foundational king of Israel from whose lineage the Messiah was prophesied to come. The emphasis on "David's" highlights the widely accepted human, royal lineage of the Messiah, which Jesus acknowledges even as He challenges its limitations.
* **son (Greek, _huiós'_):** The term "son" (G5207) broadly denotes kinship, including direct descendants. In this context, "David's son" specifically refers to the human, genealogical connection of the Messiah to King David, fulfilling prophecies like [2 Samuel 7:12](/2_samuel/7-12 "2 Samuel 7:12 - God's Promise to David").

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said unto them,"**: This introductory phrase signals a direct address from Jesus to the religious leaders who had been questioning Him. The "and" (G1161, _dé_) serves as a transition, indicating that Jesus is now taking the offensive in the dialogue, shifting from being the one interrogated to the one interrogating. It underscores His authority and control over the conversation.
* **"How say they that Christ is David's son?"**: This is a rhetorical question that Jesus poses, challenging the common, yet incomplete, understanding of the Messiah's identity. The phrase "How say they" (G4459, _pōs_ G3004, _légō_) implies a critique of the prevailing theological consensus. While it was universally accepted that the Messiah would be a descendant of David (the "Son of David"), Jesus' question subtly implies that this title, while true, does not fully encompass the Messiah's nature. He is prompting them to consider a deeper, more profound truth about the Messiah's origin and being, beyond mere human lineage.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 20:41 employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "How say they that Christ is David's son?" Jesus does not ask this question because He lacks information, but to provoke thought, expose the limitations of His listeners' understanding, and introduce a deeper theological truth. This question also contains a subtle **Paradox** that Jesus will unpack in the subsequent verses: while the Messiah is indeed the "Son of David" (human lineage), He is also "David's Lord" (divine nature). This sets up a profound **Christological Affirmation**, as Jesus implicitly points to His own dual nature as both fully human and fully divine. Furthermore, there is an element of **Irony** in Jesus, the true Messiah, questioning the religious experts about the Messiah's identity, highlighting their spiritual blindness despite their scriptural knowledge.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 20:41 is a cornerstone for understanding the complex identity of Jesus Christ. It challenges a purely human or political understanding of the Messiah, pushing towards a recognition of His divine nature. The question forces the audience, and us, to grapple with the profound mystery of the Incarnation: how can the promised Son of David also be David's Lord? This paradox reveals that the Messiah is not merely a human king, but God Himself, taking on human flesh. It underscores the inadequacy of human wisdom and tradition when confronted with the full truth of God's revelation, demanding a re-evaluation of preconceived notions based on the entirety of Scripture.

* [Matthew 22:41-46](/matthew/22-41-46 "Matthew 22:41-46 - Jesus Questions the Pharisees About the Messiah")
* [Mark 12:35-37](/mark/12-35-37 "Mark 12:35-37 - Jesus Questions About David's Son")
* [Psalm 110:1](/psalm/110-1 "Psalm 110:1 - The Lord Says to My Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 20:41 serves as a powerful reminder that our understanding of Jesus must extend beyond superficial or traditional interpretations. Just as the religious leaders of Jesus' day held a limited view of the Messiah, we too can fall into the trap of reducing Jesus to a mere historical figure, a great moral teacher, or even just a prophet. This verse compels us to delve deeper into the Scriptures to grasp the full scope of His identity: fully human, yet fully divine; the Son of David, yet David's Lord. Acknowledging Jesus as both the promised human king and the eternal divine Lord transforms our worship, obedience, and understanding of salvation. It challenges us to critically examine our own theological assumptions, ensuring that our Christology is rooted in the comprehensive truth of God's Word, rather than human tradition or convenience. This deeper understanding leads to a more profound reverence for His authority and a richer appreciation for the mystery of His redemptive work.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What preconceived notions or limited understandings might I hold about Jesus that this passage challenges?**
* **How does acknowledging Jesus as both "Son of David" and "David's Lord" impact my worship and daily walk?**
* **In what areas of my faith or understanding am I relying more on tradition or popular opinion than on a deep study of Scripture?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus ask this question about the Messiah's identity?**

Answer: Jesus asked this question not because He was seeking information, but to expose the theological blind spot of the religious leaders and to reveal a deeper truth about His own identity. The Jewish leaders understood the Messiah as a human descendant of David, a political liberator. By quoting [Psalm 110:1](/psalm/110-1 "Psalm 110:1 - A Prophecy of the Messiah's Lordship") in the subsequent verses ([Luke 20:42-44](/luke/20-42-44 "Luke 20:42-44 - Jesus Explains David's Lord")), where David calls the Messiah "my Lord," Jesus forced them to confront the paradox: how could David's descendant also be David's Lord? This question aimed to show that the Messiah was not merely human, but also divine, thus challenging their limited, earthly expectations and pointing to His heavenly origin and authority.

**What was the common Jewish understanding of the Messiah that Jesus was challenging?**

Answer: The common Jewish understanding, particularly among the Pharisees and the general populace, was that the Messiah would be a powerful, earthly king, a direct descendant of King David, who would overthrow Roman rule and restore the independent kingdom of Israel. This expectation was based on prophecies like [2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12-16 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - The Davidic Covenant") and [Isaiah 9:6-7](/isaiah/9-6-7 "Isaiah 9:6-7 - Prophecy of the Messiah's Reign"). While true that the Messiah would be of David's line, this popular view often overlooked or downplayed the prophecies that spoke of the Messiah's divine nature (e.g., [Isaiah 7:14](/isaiah/7-14 "Isaiah 7:14 - Immanuel Prophecy")) and His suffering servant role (e.g., [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant")). Jesus' question in [Luke 20:41](/luke/20-41 "Luke 20:41 - Jesus Questions the Identity of the Christ") aimed to correct this incomplete understanding by highlighting the Messiah's pre-eminence and divinity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 20:41 is a pivotal moment in Jesus' self-revelation, profoundly contributing to the Christ-centered narrative of the Gospels. By posing the question, "How say they that Christ is David's son?", Jesus directly challenges the prevailing, yet incomplete, Messianic expectations of His day, which focused predominantly on a human, political descendant of David. He immediately follows this by quoting [Psalm 110:1](/psalm/110-1 "Psalm 110:1 - The Most Quoted Old Testament Verse in the New Testament"), where David himself calls the Messiah "my Lord," thereby revealing the Messiah's divine nature. This demonstrates that Jesus is not merely a human king in David's lineage, but simultaneously the eternal, pre-existent Lord to whom David himself bowed. This fulfillment is central to the New Testament's Christology, affirming Jesus as both fully human ("born of the seed of David according to the flesh," [Romans 1:3](/romans/1-3 "Romans 1:3 - Christ's Davidic Descent")) and fully divine ("declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead," [Romans 1:4](/romans/1-4 "Romans 1:4 - Christ's Divine Nature")). His question in [Luke 20:41](/luke/20-41 "Luke 20:41 - Jesus Questions the Identity of the Christ") thus serves as a powerful pointer to His unique identity as the God-man, the One who transcends human categories and perfectly embodies the saving purposes of God, fulfilling all Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah's dual nature and ultimate sovereignty ([Philippians 2:5-11](/philippians/2-5-11 "Philippians 2:5-11 - The Humiliation and Exaltation of Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI 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;