Matthew 22:42

KJV

Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, [The Son] of David.

KJV (with Strong's)

Saying {G3004}, What {G5101} think {G1380} ye {G5213} of {G4012} Christ {G5547}? whose {G5101} son {G5207} is he {G2076}? They say {G3004} unto him {G846}, The Son of David {G1138}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Tell me your view concerning the Messiah: whose son is he?" They said to him, "David's."

Berean Standard Bible

“What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is He?” “David’s,” they answered.

American Standard Version

saying, What think ye of the Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The son of David.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 22:42 encapsulates a pivotal moment in Jesus's public ministry, where, having deftly silenced his religious adversaries, he turns the tables by posing a profound question about the identity of the Messiah. This verse records Jesus's direct inquiry to the Pharisees, "What think ye of Christ? whose son is he?" and their immediate, yet incomplete, response, "The Son of David." This exchange serves to highlight the prevailing Messianic expectations of the time while simultaneously setting the stage for Jesus to reveal a deeper, more complex truth about his divine and human nature, challenging the limited understanding of the Jewish leaders.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Matthew 22:42 is strategically placed at the climax of a series of intense interrogations Jesus endures from the Jewish religious authorities in Jerusalem during his final week. Beginning in [Matthew 21:23](/matthew/21-23 "Matthew 21:23 - Authority Challenged"), the chief priests and elders question his authority. This is followed by the Pharisees' attempt to trap him with a question about tribute to Caesar in [Matthew 22:15-22](/matthew/22-15-22 "Matthew 22:15-22 - Tribute to Caesar"), and the Sadducees' challenge regarding the resurrection and marriage in [Matthew 22:23-33](/matthew/22-23-33 "Matthew 22:23-33 - The Resurrection"). Finally, a lawyer among the Pharisees tests him on the greatest commandment in [Matthew 22:34-40](/matthew/22-34-40 "Matthew 22:34-40 - The Greatest Commandment"). Having answered every challenge with unparalleled wisdom and authority, Jesus now takes the initiative, shifting from the interrogated to the interrogator. His question in [Matthew 22:42](/matthew/22-42 "Matthew 22:42 - Jesus Questions the Pharisees") is not a trap, but a profound theological inquiry designed to expose the limitations of their Messianic understanding and to reveal his true identity. The subsequent verses ([Matthew 22:43-46](/matthew/22-43-46 "Matthew 22:43-46 - David's Lord")) further elaborate on this point, demonstrating how the Messiah must be both David's son and David's Lord.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of Jesus's ministry was marked by fervent Messianic expectation among the Jewish people, largely fueled by centuries of Roman occupation and the longing for a deliverer who would restore Israel's sovereignty. The title "Son of David" was a deeply significant and widely accepted designation for the Messiah, rooted in Old Testament prophecies, particularly the [Davidic Covenant](/2_samuel/7-12-16 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - The Davidic Covenant") which promised an eternal kingdom through David's lineage. The Pharisees, a prominent religious sect, meticulously studied the Law and Prophets, holding to the belief in a personal Messiah who would be a political and military leader, restoring the Davidic kingdom. While they correctly identified the Messiah's Davidic lineage, their understanding often lacked the spiritual and divine dimensions of his identity. Jesus's question therefore probes their core theological framework, challenging them to reconcile the human lineage of the Messiah with his divine pre-existence and authority, a concept crucial for understanding his true nature.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within Matthew's Gospel and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it directly addresses the **identity of the Messiah**, forcing the religious leaders to articulate their understanding of the "Christ" (Greek for "Anointed One," equivalent to Hebrew "Messiah"). Their response, "The Son of David," highlights the widely accepted Messianic expectation of a royal descendant of King David, a theme Matthew emphasizes from the very beginning of his Gospel (e.g., [Matthew 1:1](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ")). Secondly, Jesus's follow-up question in [Matthew 22:43-45](/matthew/22-43-45 "Matthew 22:43-45 - David Calls Him Lord") introduces the theme of **challenging limited understanding**, pushing beyond a purely human, earthly understanding of the Messiah to consider his divine nature and pre-existence, as foreshadowed in [Psalm 110:1](/psalm/110-1 "Psalm 110:1 - A Psalm of David"). This reveals that the Christ must be both David's son and David's Lord. Finally, the entire exchange underscores **Jesus's supreme authority and wisdom**, demonstrating his ability not only to defend himself against theological traps but also to proactively teach profound truths about his own person and mission, exposing the theological blind spots of his adversaries.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **think (Greek, _dokéō'_):** This verb, stemming from a primary verb meaning "to think," extends to imply "to seem" (truthfully or uncertainly). In [Matthew 22:42](/matthew/22-42 "Matthew 22:42 - Jesus Questions the Pharisees"), Jesus's use of "What think ye" is not merely asking for an opinion, but probing their settled theological conviction and understanding regarding the Messiah. It challenges them to articulate their deepest beliefs, revealing whether their perception aligns with divine truth or remains superficial.
* **Christ (Greek, _Christós'_):** Derived from the verb "to anoint," this term means "anointed" and is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew "Messiah." It is an epithet of Jesus, signifying his divinely appointed role as the long-awaited King, Priest, and Prophet who would deliver Israel and establish God's kingdom. Jesus's question about "Christ" directly addresses the central figure of Jewish prophecy and the core of their eschatological hope.
* **son (Greek, _huiós'_):** Apparently a primary word, "son" is used broadly to denote immediate, remote, or figurative kinship. In this context, it refers to the direct lineage and descendant. The Pharisees' immediate response, "The Son of David," correctly identifies the Messiah's human lineage as prophesied, emphasizing his royal heritage and legitimacy as a successor to King David.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Saying, 'What think ye of Christ?'":** Jesus initiates the conversation, shifting from being the one questioned to the one posing a profound theological inquiry. His question is direct and personal ("What think ye?"), demanding not just a factual answer but an articulation of their understanding and conviction regarding the Messiah. The term "Christ" (Messiah) immediately centers the discussion on the most significant figure in Jewish expectation.
* **"whose son is he?":** This follow-up question clarifies the specific aspect of the Messiah's identity Jesus wishes to probe: his lineage. It directs the Pharisees to consider the widely accepted prophecies concerning the Messiah's human ancestry, particularly his connection to King David. This part of the question is designed to elicit the common understanding of the Messiah's human origin.
* **"They say unto him, The Son of David.":** The Pharisees' immediate and unanimous response reflects the prevailing and correct Jewish understanding of the Messiah's lineage. This title, "Son of David," was a deeply revered and widely recognized designation for the Messiah, affirming his royal descent and rightful claim to the throne of Israel, fulfilling prophecies such as [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 - The Child Born to Us"). While factually accurate, this answer sets the stage for Jesus to reveal the inadequacy of a merely human understanding of the Messiah.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 22:42 employs several significant literary devices. The primary device is **Interrogation**, as Jesus poses a direct question to the Pharisees. This is not merely a request for information but a **Rhetorical Question** designed to prompt deeper reflection and expose the limitations of their understanding. Jesus's question, "What think ye of Christ? whose son is he?", serves to highlight the gap between the Pharisees' correct but incomplete knowledge of the Messiah's human lineage and the profound truth of his divine nature. There is also an element of **Irony**, as the very religious leaders who claim to be authorities on the Law and Prophets are shown to have a superficial grasp of the Messiah's full identity. Furthermore, this verse acts as a form of **Foreshadowing**, setting the stage for Jesus's subsequent teaching in [Matthew 22:43-45](/matthew/22-43-45 "Matthew 22:43-45 - David Calls Him Lord") where he quotes [Psalm 110:1](/psalm/110-1 "Psalm 110:1 - David's Lord") to reveal the Messiah's dual nature as both David's son and David's Lord, thereby challenging the Pharisees' limited theological framework.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 22:42 is a theological linchpin, revealing the crucial tension between the human and divine natures of the Messiah. The Pharisees correctly identify the Messiah as the "Son of David," a truth deeply rooted in Old Testament prophecy and essential for establishing Jesus's legitimate claim to Israel's throne. However, Jesus's subsequent question (in [Matthew 22:43](/matthew/22-43 "Matthew 22:43 - David in the Spirit")) about how David could call his own descendant "Lord" (quoting [Psalm 110:1](/psalm/110-1 "Psalm 110:1 - A Psalm of David")) exposes the inadequacy of a purely human understanding of the Messiah. This exchange underscores the profound theological truth that the Messiah is not merely a human king from David's lineage but also the pre-existent, divine Lord. This dual nature—fully human and fully divine—is central to Christian doctrine and the very possibility of salvation, as only a God-man could bridge the gap between humanity and God.
* [Psalm 110:1](/psalm/110-1 "Psalm 110:1 - David's Lord")
* [Romans 1:3-4](/romans/1-3-4 "Romans 1:3-4 - Son of David, Son of God")
* [Revelation 22:16](/revelation/22-16 "Revelation 22:16 - Root and Offspring of David")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The profound question Jesus poses in [Matthew 22:42](/matthew/22-42 "Matthew 22:42 - Jesus Questions the Pharisees") transcends its original context and remains deeply relevant for every person today. "What think ye of Christ?" compels us to move beyond superficial or inherited understandings of Jesus and to personally grapple with his identity. Is he merely a historical figure, a wise teacher, or truly the divine Son of God, the promised Messiah, the Lord and Savior? Our answer to this fundamental question shapes not only our theological framework but also the entire trajectory of our lives, our values, and our eternal destiny. Like the Pharisees, we can hold correct theological facts (e.g., Jesus's lineage) yet miss the deeper, transformative truth of his full identity—that he is both fully human, born of David's line, and fully divine, David's eternal Lord. This passage challenges us to seek a comprehensive understanding of Christ, one that embraces both his humanity and his divinity, leading to genuine faith and worship. It invites us to delve into Scripture with an open heart, allowing the Holy Spirit to illuminate the multifaceted nature of Jesus, leading us into a deeper, more intimate relationship with the One who is both Son of David and Lord of all.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What is your personal, deeply held conviction about the identity of Jesus Christ?**
* **In what ways might your current understanding of Jesus be incomplete or superficial, similar to the Pharisees' limited view?**
* **How does understanding Jesus as both "Son of David" and "Lord" impact your worship and daily life?**
* **What steps can you take to deepen your knowledge and experience of Christ's full identity?**

### FAQ

**Why was "Son of David" such an important title for the Messiah?**

Answer: The title "Son of David" was crucial because it directly connected the Messiah to the [Davidic Covenant](/2_samuel/7-12-16 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - The Davidic Covenant") found in [2 Samuel 7](/2_samuel/7 "2 Samuel 7 - The Davidic Covenant"), where God promised King David that his house and his kingdom would endure forever, and that a descendant would sit on his throne eternally. For the Jewish people, this meant the Messiah would be a legitimate king from David's royal line, restoring Israel's glory and sovereignty. It affirmed his rightful claim to the throne and fulfilled numerous Old Testament prophecies, such as [Isaiah 9:6-7](/isaiah/9-6-7 "Isaiah 9:6-7 - The Child Born to Us") and [Jeremiah 23:5](/jeremiah/23-5 "Jeremiah 23:5 - A Righteous Branch of David"). Jesus's genealogy in [Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-1-17 "Matthew 1:1-17 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ") intentionally highlights this lineage, establishing his credentials as the promised "Son of David."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 22:42, with its inquiry into the Messiah's identity, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus's dual nature as both the promised "Son of David" and the eternal "Lord." While the Pharisees correctly identify Jesus's human lineage, fulfilling the prophecies of a king from David's royal line (e.g., [Romans 1:3](/romans/1-3 "Romans 1:3 - Descendant of David")), Jesus immediately pushes them to consider the deeper truth of his divine pre-existence and authority. By quoting [Psalm 110:1](/psalm/110-1 "Psalm 110:1 - David's Lord"), where David calls the Messiah "Lord," Jesus reveals that the Christ is not merely a human descendant but also the divine sovereign to whom David himself paid homage. This profound truth is central to the New Testament's understanding of Jesus, who is both fully human, born of a woman ([Galatians 4:4](/galatians/4-4 "Galatians 4:4 - Born of a Woman")), and fully God, existing before all things ([Colossians 1:15-17](/colossians/1-15-17 "Colossians 1:15-17 - Supremacy of Christ")). He is the true King who fulfills the [Davidic Covenant](/2_samuel/7-12-16 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - The Davidic Covenant") not through an earthly kingdom, but through his spiritual reign established by his death and resurrection ([Acts 2:30-36](/acts/2-30-36 "Acts 2:30-36 - David's Prophecy Fulfilled")). Thus, Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of the Messianic hope, the one who perfectly embodies both the human lineage of David and the divine authority of God, establishing an eternal kingdom that transcends earthly limitations ([Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Kingdom of the World Becomes the Kingdom of Our Lord")).

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

Matthew 16:13

¶ When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

Matthew 16:17

And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed [it] unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

Jeremiah 23:5

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.

Jeremiah 23:6

In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this [is] his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

John 6:68

Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

John 6:69

And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

Ezekiel 34:23

And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, [even] my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd.