Luke 20:43

KJV

Till I make thine enemies thy footstool.

KJV (with Strong's)

Till {G2193}{G302} I make {G5087} thine {G4675} enemies {G2190} thy {G4675} footstool {G4228}{G5286}.

Complete Jewish Bible

‘Adonai said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand
until I make your enemies your footstool.” ’

Berean Standard Bible

until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”’

American Standard Version

Till I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 20:43 captures a pivotal moment in Jesus' public ministry within the temple, where He quotes Psalm 110:1 to challenge the religious leaders regarding the Messiah's true identity. This verse, "Till I make thine enemies thy footstool," serves as a powerful declaration of God the Father's sovereign commitment to establish the absolute dominion of the Son, the Messiah, over all opposition, culminating in His complete and undeniable triumph.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within a series of intense theological confrontations between Jesus and various Jewish religious factions—the chief priests, scribes, elders, Sadducees, and Pharisees—in the days leading up to His crucifixion. After silencing the Sadducees on the resurrection (Luke 20:27-40) and responding to a scribe about the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:34-40, Mark 12:28-34), Jesus takes the offensive. He poses a question to them in [Luke 20:41-42](/luke/20-41-42 "Luke 20:41-42 - Jesus Questions the Messiah's Sonship") about how the Messiah can be both David's son and David's Lord, directly quoting the first part of [Psalm 110:1](/psalm/110-1 "Psalm 110:1 - The Lord's Oracle to His Anointed"). Luke 20:43 completes this quotation, emphasizing the divine decree for the Messiah's ultimate victory. By doing so, Jesus implicitly asserts His own divine authority and pre-existence, challenging the prevailing human-centric messianic expectations and revealing a deeper, spiritual kingship.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of placing one's foot on the neck or back of a defeated enemy, or using them as a footstool, was a potent symbol of absolute conquest and humiliation in the ancient Near East. This practice is depicted in ancient Egyptian and Mesopotamian art, where victorious kings are shown literally treading on their vanquished foes. A footstool, therefore, was not merely a piece of furniture but a powerful emblem of dominion and complete subjugation. When Jesus quotes [Psalm 110:1](/psalm/110-1 "Psalm 110:1 - A Royal Messianic Psalm"), He taps into this deeply understood cultural idiom, signifying the total and irreversible defeat of all who oppose the Messiah's reign. The Jewish leaders of Jesus' day would have immediately grasped the profound implications of such imagery, especially in the context of messianic prophecies that spoke of a conquering king.

* **Key Themes:** Luke 20:43 contributes significantly to several major themes within Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Messianic Authority and Lordship**. Jesus' use of [Psalm 110:1](/psalm/110-1 "Psalm 110:1 - David's Lord") is a direct claim to be the divine Messiah, not merely a human descendant of David, but the "Lord" to whom David himself paid homage. This highlights His unique relationship with God the Father and His supreme authority over all creation. Secondly, the verse speaks to **Divine Sovereignty and Triumph**. The phrase "Till I make thine enemies thy footstool" reveals God the Father's active and certain role in establishing the Son's kingdom. It signifies the inevitable and complete subjugation of all spiritual and physical opposition, including sin, death, and Satan, assuring the Messiah's ultimate victory. Lastly, it reinforces the theme of **Prophetic Fulfillment**. Jesus presents Himself as the direct fulfillment of ancient Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah's identity and ultimate triumph, validating His claims and the divine plan for redemption that unfolds throughout the scriptures, from [Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "Genesis 3:15 - The Protoevangelium") to the culmination in [Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11-16 "Revelation 19:11-16 - The Rider on the White Horse").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **enemies (Greek, _echthrós'_):** From a primary root meaning "to hate," this word describes someone who is hateful (passively, odious) or actively hostile. As a noun, it refers to an adversary, particularly Satan. In the context of Luke 20:43, "enemies" encompasses all forces, visible and invisible, that oppose God's rule and the Messiah's kingdom, including spiritual powers, human resistance, sin, and death.
* **make (Greek, _títhēmi'_):** This verb means "to place" or "to set," implying an active, intentional act of appointment, ordaining, or establishing. It denotes a deliberate action by God to bring about a specific state or condition. Here, it emphasizes God the Father's active and sovereign role in subjugating the Messiah's enemies, not merely a passive allowance but a purposeful divine work.
* **footstool (Greek, _hypopódion'_):** A neuter noun formed from "under" (hypo) and "foot" (pous), literally meaning "something under the feet" or a foot-rest. Figuratively, as used in this verse, it carries the profound cultural weight of absolute dominion, complete subjugation, and utter humiliation of a conquered foe. It signifies the Messiah's total victory and uncontested reign.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Till I make":** This opening phrase emphasizes divine agency and a specific timeline. The "I" refers to God the Father, indicating that it is His sovereign work to bring about the subjugation of the Messiah's enemies. The word "till" (Greek, _heos_) denotes a period of continuance leading up to a decisive event, implying that while Christ is already seated at God's right hand, the full and visible manifestation of His enemies' complete subjugation is a process initiated and completed by the Father.
* **"thine enemies":** The "thine" refers to the Messiah, Jesus Christ. As discussed in the key word analysis, these "enemies" are not merely human adversaries but encompass all forms of opposition to God's reign and the Messiah's kingdom, including sin, death, the devil, and all rebellious spiritual and human powers. It signifies a comprehensive victory over every opposing force.
* **"thy footstool":** This powerful imagery, as explained in the cultural context, symbolizes absolute dominion, complete subjugation, and utter humiliation. To make one's enemies a "footstool" means to bring them into a position of total defeat and subservience, where they are utterly powerless and beneath the authority of the conqueror. This signifies the Messiah's ultimate and undeniable triumph over all His foes.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 20:43 is rich with **Allusion**, directly quoting [Psalm 110:1](/psalm/110-1 "Psalm 110:1 - A Messianic Prophecy"), a pivotal Old Testament messianic prophecy. This allusion serves to establish Jesus' identity as the long-awaited Messiah, grounding His claims in the sacred scriptures revered by His audience. The verse also employs profound **Symbolism**, particularly in the image of "thy footstool." This symbol, deeply rooted in ancient Near Eastern conquest rituals, powerfully conveys the concept of absolute dominion and complete subjugation. It is a visual metaphor for the Messiah's total victory over all His adversaries, transforming them from active threats into a mere foundation for His authority. Furthermore, the phrase "Till I make" implies a **Divine Decree** or **Divine Fiat**, highlighting God the Father's active and sovereign will in bringing about the Messiah's ultimate triumph, underscoring the certainty and inevitability of this victory.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 20:43 is a profound theological statement affirming the absolute sovereignty of God the Father in establishing the complete and irreversible dominion of His Son, Jesus Christ, over all creation. It underscores that Christ's current enthronement at the right hand of God is not merely a position of honor but one of active authority, awaiting the full manifestation of His enemies' subjugation. This verse speaks to the ultimate victory of God's kingdom over all forces of evil, sin, and death, assuring believers that despite present struggles, Christ's reign is certain and His triumph is complete. It provides a foundational truth for understanding the nature of Christ's present reign and the future consummation of His kingdom.

* [Psalm 8:6](/psalm/8-6 "Psalm 8:6 - Man's Dominion Under God")
* [1 Corinthians 15:25](/1_corinthians/15-25 "1 Corinthians 15:25 - Christ's Reign Until All Enemies Are Subdued")
* [Hebrews 10:12-13](/hebrews/10-12-13 "Hebrews 10:12-13 - Christ's Sacrifice and Exaltation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 20:43 offers immense comfort and a powerful call to faith for believers today. It reminds us that our Lord Jesus Christ is not merely a historical figure or a distant deity, but the reigning King, seated at the right hand of God, with all authority in heaven and on earth. This truth provides unwavering assurance that no enemy—be it sin, suffering, spiritual oppression, or even death itself—can ultimately prevail against Him or His people. We are called to live with confidence in Christ's certain victory, knowing that the "till I make" implies a divine timeline and a sovereign process that God the Father is actively overseeing. This should inspire patience in the face of injustice, perseverance in spiritual warfare, and unwavering hope in the ultimate triumph of righteousness. Our struggles are real, but they are fought under the banner of a King who has already secured the decisive victory, and whose final, visible subjugation of all enemies is guaranteed.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the certainty of Christ's ultimate victory over all His enemies impact your perspective on present difficulties or opposition in your life?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need to more fully submit to Christ's Lordship, recognizing that all things are being brought under His feet?**
* **How does the "till I make" phrase encourage patience and trust in God's perfect timing for the full manifestation of His kingdom?**

### FAQ

**What does the imagery of "footstool" signify in this verse?**

Answer: The imagery of a "footstool" in [Luke 20:43](/luke/20-43 "Luke 20:43 - Enemies as a Footstool") is a powerful symbol from ancient Near Eastern culture. It signifies absolute dominion, complete subjugation, and utter humiliation of a defeated enemy. Ancient conquerors would often place their foot on the necks or backs of vanquished kings or foes to demonstrate their total victory and control. Therefore, when God the Father declares He will make the Messiah's enemies His footstool, it means that all opposition to Christ's reign will be decisively and irreversibly defeated, brought into a state of powerlessness and subservience under His authority. It assures a comprehensive and undeniable triumph for the Messiah.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 20:43 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus of Nazareth. The "Lord" to whom God the Father speaks in [Psalm 110:1](/psalm/110-1 "Psalm 110:1 - The Messiah's Enthronement") is none other than Jesus, who, through His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension, has been exalted to the right hand of God. This verse, quoted by Jesus Himself, points to His present reign and the ongoing process of His enemies being progressively subdued. While the decisive victory over sin and death was achieved at the cross and resurrection (e.g., [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities")), the full and visible subjugation of all His enemies, including death itself, awaits His glorious return (e.g., [1 Corinthians 15:25-26](/1_corinthians/15-25-26 "1 Corinthians 15:25-26 - The Last Enemy, Death")). Thus, [Luke 20:43](/luke/20-43 "Luke 20:43 - Christ's Ultimate Victory") foreshadows Christ's ultimate and universal dominion, where "every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" ([Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10-11 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow")). It is a promise of His final, undisputed reign, where all opposition is utterly vanquished, and His kingdom is fully established.

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

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.

Luke 19:27

But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay [them] before me.

Revelation 19:14

And the armies [which were] in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

Revelation 19:21

And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which [sword] proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

Psalms 110:5

¶ The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath.

Psalms 110:6

He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill [the places] with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.

Psalms 2:1

¶ Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?