Luke 20:42

And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

And {G2532} David {G1138} himself {G846} saith {G3004} in {G1722} the book {G976} of Psalms {G5568}, The LORD {G2962} said {G2036} unto my {G3450} Lord {G2962}, Sit thou {G2521} on {G1537} my {G3450} right hand {G1188},

For David himself says in the book of Psalms,

For David himself says in the book of Psalms: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand

For David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

In Luke 20:42, Jesus quotes from the Old Testament, specifically Psalm 110:1, to challenge the religious leaders of His day regarding the true identity of the Messiah. This verse is part of a series of questions Jesus poses to the scribes and Pharisees in the Temple, turning their attempts to trap Him into an opportunity to reveal profound theological truths.

Context

Leading up to this verse, Jesus has skillfully parried questions from the Jewish authorities about His authority and challenged them with parables like the Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers. Having silenced His opponents, Jesus then poses His own question: "How say they that Christ is David's son?" (Luke 20:41). He then immediately quotes Psalm 110:1, which is the focus of this verse, to highlight the paradox of the Messiah being both David's descendant and David's Lord. Parallel accounts of this teaching can be found in Matthew 22:41-46 and Mark 12:35-37.

Key Themes

  • The Divinity and Lordship of Christ: The primary message conveyed is the Messiah's divine nature and supreme authority. By quoting David calling the Messiah "my Lord," Jesus asserts that the Messiah is not merely a human king from David's lineage but someone far greater, indeed divine. This foundational truth underscores the divinity of Jesus Christ.
  • Messianic Prophecy Fulfilled: This verse highlights the prophetic nature of the Old Testament concerning the Messiah. Jesus uses a well-known Psalm to demonstrate that the Scriptures themselves point to a Messiah who transcends human limitations.
  • Davidic Sonship vs. Davidic Lordship: The core tension Jesus presents is how the Messiah can be both the biological "Son of David" (a human descendant, as commonly understood) and simultaneously David's "Lord" (a superior, authoritative figure). This paradox is resolved in Jesus, who is both fully human and fully divine.
  • Authority of Scripture: Jesus bases His argument entirely on the written Word, emphasizing the divine authority of the Psalms and, by extension, all Scripture.

Linguistic Insights

The quoted phrase, "The LORD said unto my Lord," is crucial:

  • "The LORD" (Hebrew: Yahweh or Jehovah) refers to God the Father, the covenant God of Israel.
  • "my Lord" (Hebrew: Adonai) in this context refers to the Messiah. The fact that David, a king, calls his future descendant "my Lord" signifies a relationship of profound reverence and submission, indicating the Messiah's superior status and divine nature.
  • "Sit thou on my right hand" signifies a position of supreme honor, authority, and shared rule. It implies co-regency and power with God. This imagery is frequently used in the New Testament to describe Christ's exaltation at the right hand of God after His resurrection and ascension (Acts 2:34-36, Hebrews 1:13).

Practical Application

Luke 20:42 compels believers to fully grasp the dual nature of Jesus Christ: He is truly human, a descendant of David, and truly God, the eternal Lord. This understanding is fundamental to Christian faith. It reminds us that Jesus is not just a historical figure or a great teacher, but the sovereign Lord who holds all authority. Recognizing His Lordship calls us to submit to His will and worship Him as both our Savior and our God. It also encourages us to delve into the Old Testament, seeing how it consistently points forward to Christ and His redemptive work.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 110:1

    ¶ A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

  • Acts 2:34

    For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

  • Acts 2:35

    Until I make thy foes thy footstool.

  • Hebrews 1:13

    But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?

  • Mark 12:36

    For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.

  • Mark 12:37

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

  • Matthew 22:43

    He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying,

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