Mark 12:35

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} Jesus {G2424} answered {G611} and said {G3004}, while he taught {G1321} in {G1722} the temple {G2411}, How {G4459} say {G3004} the scribes {G1122} that {G3754} Christ {G5547} is {G2076} the Son {G5207} of David {G1138}?

Complete Jewish Bible

As Yeshua was teaching in the Temple, he asked, "How is it that the Torah teachers say the Messiah is the Son of David?

Berean Standard Bible

While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, He asked, “How can the scribes say that the Christ is the Son of David?

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In this pivotal moment, Jesus, having skillfully navigated a series of challenging questions from various religious factions, takes the initiative to pose a profound question to the scribes while teaching in the temple. His query, "How say the scribes that Christ is the Son of David?", serves not as an attack on their knowledge, but as a strategic opening to reveal a deeper, more complex truth about the Messiah's identity—one that transcends mere human lineage and points to His divine nature and supreme authority.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Mark 12:35 is strategically placed within a series of intense confrontations between Jesus and the religious authorities in Jerusalem during the final week before His crucifixion. Prior to this verse, Jesus has masterfully answered traps set by the Pharisees and Herodians concerning taxes to Caesar ([Mark 12:13-17](/mark/12-13-17 "Mark 12:13-17 - Paying Taxes to Caesar")), and by the Sadducees regarding the resurrection ([Mark 12:18-27](/mark/12-18-27 "Mark 12:18-27 - The Question About the Resurrection")). He has also affirmed the greatest commandment to a scribe who genuinely sought truth ([Mark 12:28-34](/mark/12-28-34 "Mark 12:28-34 - The Greatest Commandment")). Having silenced His opponents and demonstrated His unparalleled wisdom and authority, Jesus now turns the tables, moving from defense to offense, challenging their foundational understanding of the Messiah's identity. This sets the stage for His subsequent teaching on the Messiah as David's Lord, not just his son, in [Mark 12:36-37](/mark/12-36-37 "Mark 12:36-37 - The Messiah: David's Lord").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the Temple in Jerusalem, the epicenter of Jewish religious life and teaching. It was common for rabbis and scribes to teach and engage in theological discourse in these courts. The scribes (`grammateús`), highly educated experts in the Mosaic Law and oral traditions, were the primary interpreters of scripture for the people. Their understanding of the Messiah was deeply rooted in the Old Testament prophecies, particularly those concerning a descendant of King David who would restore Israel's kingdom (e.g., [2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12-16 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - The Davidic Covenant")). The title "Son of David" was thus a universally recognized and revered messianic designation, signifying the Messiah's rightful claim to the throne of Israel. Jesus' question directly engages with this deeply ingrained expectation, preparing His audience for a revelation that would expand, rather than contradict, their understanding.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within the Gospel of Mark. Firstly, it underscores **Jesus' Divine Authority and Wisdom**, demonstrating His ability to transcend human theological debates and expose the limits of human understanding, even among the most learned. He is not merely a respondent but the ultimate authority on divine truth. Secondly, it delves into the crucial theme of **The Messiah's True Identity**, challenging the prevailing, yet incomplete, Messianic expectations. While acknowledging the Messiah's Davidic lineage, Jesus pushes His audience to consider a deeper, divine dimension of the Messiah's nature, hinting at His pre-existence and Lordship over David himself. This theme is further developed in the subsequent verses and throughout the New Testament, culminating in the understanding of Jesus as both fully human (Son of David) and fully divine (Son of God). Lastly, it highlights **Challenging Traditional Interpretations**, as Jesus consistently confronts the rigid and often superficial interpretations of the Law and prophecy by the religious elite, urging a more profound, spiritual engagement with God's truth.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **scribes (Greek, _grammateús'_):** Derived from `gramma` (a letter, writing), this term denotes a writer or secretary, but in the New Testament context, it primarily refers to a highly educated expert in the Jewish Law. Scribes were responsible for copying, interpreting, and teaching the scriptures and oral traditions. They held significant religious and social authority, often being associated with the Pharisees. Jesus' direct address to them underscores their position as the custodians of traditional Messianic understanding.
* **taught (Greek, _didáskō'_):** This verb signifies the act of teaching, instructing, or imparting knowledge. The continuous tense (imperfect participle) indicates that Jesus was "while teaching" or "as he was teaching," suggesting an ongoing public discourse. This highlights Jesus' role as a master teacher and His engagement in public theological instruction within the sacred space of the temple, asserting His authority to interpret scripture.
* **Christ (Greek, _Christós'_):** This is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew `Mashiach` (Messiah), meaning "Anointed One." It is a title, not a proper name, referring to the divinely appointed deliverer, king, and priest prophesied in the Old Testament. Its use here in conjunction with "Son of David" directly evokes the most common Jewish expectation of the Messiah as a descendant of King David who would restore the kingdom of Israel. Jesus' question challenges the adequacy of this title alone to fully encompass His identity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple,"**: This opening clause establishes the setting and Jesus' active role. Having been questioned extensively by others, Jesus now initiates the discourse, turning the tables on His interrogators. The phrase "answered and said" (a common Semitic idiom) indicates a response, but here it's a response to the broader context of Messianic expectations, not a direct prior question. His teaching "in the temple" underscores the public, authoritative, and religiously significant nature of this pronouncement.
* **"How say the scribes"**: This is a direct challenge to the scribes, who were the authoritative interpreters of scripture and tradition. Jesus questions their established theological understanding, implying that their interpretation of the Messiah's identity is incomplete or flawed. The "How" (`pōs`) is not a request for a method, but a challenge to the validity or sufficiency of their statement.
* **"that Christ is the Son of David?"**: This is the core of Jesus' challenge. The title "Son of David" was a universally accepted and biblically grounded designation for the Messiah, rooted in God's covenant with David ([2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12-16 "The Davidic Covenant")). Jesus is not denying this lineage, which He Himself fulfills, but rather probing the depth of their understanding. He is preparing to reveal that the Messiah's identity is not *only* human and Davidic, but also divine and pre-existent, as David's Lord.

#### Literary Devices
Mark employs several **literary devices** in this verse to heighten its impact. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "How say the scribes that Christ is the Son of David?" Jesus poses this question not to elicit information, but to provoke thought and expose a theological blind spot among the scribes. It serves as a powerful **discourse shift**, moving Jesus from the position of being interrogated to becoming the interrogator, thereby asserting His supreme authority in theological matters. Furthermore, there is a subtle **irony** at play: the very experts in the Law and prophets, who should have the deepest understanding of the Messiah, are shown to have an incomplete grasp of His true nature, which Jesus, the Messiah Himself, is about to reveal. This setup creates dramatic tension and anticipates the profound revelation that follows.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 12:35 serves as a crucial theological pivot, moving the discourse from external challenges to Jesus' authority to an internal challenge regarding the very nature of the Messiah. It highlights the tension between the popular, human-focused expectation of a Davidic king who would restore Israel's earthly kingdom, and the deeper, divine reality of the Messiah as the pre-existent Son of God. Jesus' question prepares His audience to consider that the Messiah's identity transcends mere lineage; He is not only David's descendant but also David's Lord, implying a divine nature that predates and supersedes human ancestry. This theological depth is essential for understanding Jesus' unique claim to both humanity and divinity, a cornerstone of Christian doctrine.

* [Psalm 110:1](/psalm/110-1 "Psalm 110:1 - The Lord's Anointed")
* [Matthew 22:41-46](/matthew/22-41-46 "Matthew 22:41-46 - Jesus Questions the Pharisees About the Messiah")
* [Romans 1:3-4](/romans/1-3-4 "Romans 1:3-4 - Jesus, Son of David and Son of God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jesus' question to the scribes in Mark 12:35 is a profound invitation for us to examine the depth of our own understanding of who He truly is. Do we, like the scribes, confine Jesus to a historical title or a limited human expectation? Are we content with merely acknowledging Him as a great teacher, a moral example, or even just the "Son of David," without grappling with the full implications of His divine Lordship? This passage challenges us to move beyond superficial or incomplete understandings of Christ, urging us to continually deepen our knowledge of His dual nature—fully human, yet fully divine. True faith calls us not just to acknowledge His lineage, but to submit to His authority as the pre-existent Lord, allowing His full identity to transform our lives, perspectives, and worship. Just as Jesus pushed the scribes to consider a more expansive truth, He invites us to allow His words to challenge our preconceived notions and lead us into a fuller, more glorious apprehension of who He is.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What preconceived notions or limited understandings might I hold about Jesus' identity or mission?**
* **How does understanding Jesus as both "Son of David" and "Lord of David" impact my worship and daily life?**
* **In what ways does my current understanding of Christ need to be deepened or expanded by Scripture?**
* **How can I allow Jesus' authority to challenge my own traditional or comfortable interpretations of faith?**

### FAQ
**Why was the title "Son of David" so important for the Messiah?**

Answer: The title "Son of David" was critically important because it directly connected the promised Messiah to the Davidic Covenant found in [2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12-16 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - The Davidic Covenant"). In this covenant, God promised King David that his "house and his kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever." This prophecy led to the expectation that the Messiah would be a direct descendant of David, a rightful heir to his throne, who would restore Israel's kingdom and rule eternally. It was a clear identifier for the coming king and deliverer.

**What was Jesus' purpose in asking this question to the scribes?**

Answer: Jesus' purpose was not to deny His own Davidic lineage, which is affirmed in the Gospels (e.g., [Matthew 1:1](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ")), but to challenge the scribes' limited and purely human understanding of the Messiah. They saw the Messiah only as a human king from David's line, overlooking His divine nature. By quoting [Psalm 110:1](/psalm/110-1 "Psalm 110:1 - The Lord's Anointed") in the subsequent verses ([Mark 12:36-37](/mark/12-36-37 "Mark 12:36-37 - The Messiah: David's Lord")), where David calls the Messiah "Lord," Jesus forces them to confront the paradox: How could David's son also be David's Lord? This question was designed to open their minds to the Messiah's pre-existence and divinity, a truth they had missed despite their scriptural expertise.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 12:35, though a question, powerfully points to the Christ-centered fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and the profound mystery of Jesus' dual nature. While the scribes correctly identified the Messiah as the "Son of David," fulfilling prophecies like [2 Samuel 7:12](/2_samuel/7-12 "2 Samuel 7:12 - The Davidic Covenant") and [Isaiah 9:6-7](/isaiah/9-6-7 "Isaiah 9:6-7 - The Prophecy of the Messiah's Reign"), their understanding was incomplete. Jesus, by quoting [Psalm 110:1](/psalm/110-1 "Psalm 110:1 - The Lord's Anointed") in the verses that follow, reveals that the Messiah is not merely David's descendant, but also David's Lord. This highlights Jesus' pre-existence and divine identity, a truth fully expounded in the New Testament. He is the one through whom "all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him" ([Colossians 1:16](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16 - Christ as Creator and Sustainer")). The question ultimately compels us to acknowledge Jesus as both the human fulfillment of the Davidic covenant and the eternal, divine Son of God, "who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men" ([Philippians 2:6-7](/philippians/2-6-7 "Philippians 2:6-7 - The Humiliation and Exaltation of Christ")). His identity as both Son of David and Lord of David is the cornerstone of the Gospel, revealing Him as the sovereign King and the sacrificial Lamb, the ultimate answer to humanity's deepest need.

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

Luke 20:41

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

Luke 20:44

David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his son?

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?

Matthew 26:55

In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.

John 7:42

Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?

Matthew 9:27

¶ And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, [Thou] Son of David, have mercy on us.