Matthew 22:43

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

He saith {G3004} unto them {G846}, How {G4459} then {G3767} doth David {G1138} in {G1722} spirit {G4151} call {G2564} him {G846} Lord {G2962}, saying {G3004},

"Then how is it," he asked them, "that David, inspired by the Spirit, calls him `Lord,' when he says,

Jesus said to them, “How then does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord’? For he says:

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

Commentary

Context

Matthew 22:43 is part of a pivotal series of encounters between Jesus and the religious leaders in Jerusalem, specifically the Pharisees, during the final week before His crucifixion. Following failed attempts by the Sadducees and Herodians to trap Him with difficult questions, the Pharisees gathered to challenge Jesus on the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:37-40). Having eloquently answered and silenced them, Jesus then turns the tables and poses a profound question to them about the identity of the Messiah, beginning in Matthew 22:41. This verse sets up Jesus' challenge to their conventional understanding of the Christ.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Messiah's Divine Nature: Jesus' question directly challenges the prevailing Jewish understanding that the Messiah would be merely a human descendant of David, a political king. By referencing Psalm 110:1, where David calls the Messiah "Lord," Jesus subtly points to the Messiah's pre-eminence and divine status. This implies that the Messiah is not just David's son by lineage but also David's sovereign Lord, a crucial aspect of the incarnation of Christ.
  • Jesus' Superior Wisdom and Authority: This exchange powerfully showcases Jesus' profound theological insight and His ability to expose the limitations of the Pharisees' understanding of their own sacred texts. He uses a revered Psalm, traditionally attributed to David, to reveal a deeper, more complex truth about the Messiah's identity, effectively silencing His opponents (Matthew 22:46).
  • Understanding Prophecy: The verse highlights the need for a Spirit-led understanding of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah. The Pharisees, despite their extensive knowledge of the Law and Prophets, missed the divine implications of key texts that pointed to Christ's dual nature.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "in spirit" (Greek: en pneumati) signifies that David spoke under the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit. This was not merely David's personal reflection but a divinely inspired prophetic utterance, lending absolute authority to the Psalm. When David calls the Messiah "Lord" (Hebrew: Adonai in the original context of Psalm 110:1, and Greek: Kyrios in the Septuagint and New Testament), it denotes a relationship of supreme authority and reverence, far exceeding that of a mere earthly son or descendant. The use of "Lord" here points to the Messiah's elevated status, indicating His divine nature and co-equality with God.

Practical Application

Matthew 22:43 challenges believers today to fully grasp and acknowledge the complete identity of Jesus Christ. He is not merely a historical figure, a wise teacher, or a prophet, but the Son of God, truly human and truly divine. Jesus' question to the Pharisees remains relevant for us: Do we truly understand who He is? Recognizing Jesus as both "Son of David" (fully human, relatable) and "Lord" (fully divine, worthy of worship and obedience) is foundational to Christian faith. It calls us to submit to His supreme Lordship in every aspect of our lives, acknowledging His unparalleled authority derived from His divine nature.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Samuel 23:2

    The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word [was] in my tongue.

  • Revelation 4:2

    And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and [one] sat on the throne.

  • Luke 2:26

    And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

  • Luke 2:27

    And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,

  • 2 Peter 1:21

    For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake [as they were] moved by the Holy Ghost.

  • 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.

  • Acts 1:16

    Men [and] brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.
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