Matthew 22:44

KJV

The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?

KJV (with Strong's)

The LORD {G2962} said {G2036} unto my {G3450} Lord {G2962}, Sit thou {G2521} on {G1537} my {G3450} right hand {G1188}, till {G2193}{G302} I make {G5087} thine {G4675} enemies {G2190} thy {G4675} footstool {G5286}{G4228}?

Complete Jewish Bible

`ADONAI said to my Lord, "Sit here at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet"'?

Berean Standard Bible

‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand until I put Your enemies under Your feet.”’

American Standard Version

The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Till I put thine enemies underneath thy feet?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 22:44 records Jesus' profound quotation of Psalm 110:1, a pivotal moment in His final debates with the Jewish religious leaders. By citing this ancient psalm, Jesus masterfully challenges their limited understanding of the Messiah, asserting His own divine identity and supreme authority as both the Son of David and David's Lord. This verse underscores the Messiah's exalted position at God's right hand and His ultimate, guaranteed triumph over all opposition.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a series of intense and escalating confrontations between Jesus and the various Jewish religious factions—the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Herodians—during His final week in Jerusalem before His crucifixion. Having successfully silenced His opponents by answering their challenging questions regarding tribute to Caesar, the resurrection, and the greatest commandment, Jesus seizes the initiative. He turns the tables by posing a question to the Pharisees about the Messiah's identity, specifically asking, "What think ye of Christ? whose son is he?" (Matthew 22:42). When they correctly identify the Messiah as "The Son of David," Jesus then quotes Psalm 110:1, recorded here in Matthew 22:44, to expose the inadequacy of their purely human and political understanding of the Messiah. His question, "If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?" (Matthew 22:45), leaves them unable to answer, effectively silencing all His adversaries and concluding this series of public debates.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Judaism held strong messianic expectations, predominantly focused on a human descendant of David who would restore Israel's political sovereignty and liberate them from Roman rule. The title "Son of David" was deeply ingrained in this expectation, signifying a royal, earthly king. However, Psalm 110:1, a highly revered messianic psalm, presented a challenge to this singular view by portraying the Messiah as "Lord" even to David himself. The concept of a divine Messiah, or one who transcended mere human lineage, was not widely embraced or understood by many Jewish leaders. The imagery of "sitting at the right hand" was a universal symbol of supreme honor, authority, and shared rule in ancient Near Eastern courts, while placing enemies as a "footstool" signified complete subjugation and absolute victory over all opposition, often associated with a conquering king's triumph.
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 22:44 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Matthew's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. It powerfully illustrates the **Messiah's Dual Nature**, presenting Him as both the human descendant of David and David's divine Lord, challenging a purely human understanding of Christ and pointing to His unique God-man identity. The phrase "Sit thou on my right hand" highlights the **Divine Authority and Exaltation** of the Messiah, signifying His co-equality and shared rule with God the Father, a theme foundational to understanding Jesus' post-resurrection status as seen in passages like [Ephesians 1:20-22](/ephesians/1-20-22 "Christ Seated at God's Right Hand"). Furthermore, "till I make thine enemies thy footstool" speaks to the **Ultimate Victory Over Enemies** that the Messiah will achieve, assuring believers of Christ's complete and final dominion over all opposition, including sin, death, and spiritual forces, a victory ultimately realized through His death and resurrection and consummated at His return (see [1 Corinthians 15:25-26](/1_corinthians/15-25-26 "Christ's Reign Until All Enemies are Subdued")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Lord (Greek, _kýrios'_):** (G2962) This term, derived from a root signifying supremacy, denotes one who is supreme in authority, a controller, or Master. In this verse, it is used twice: "The LORD" (capitalized in KJV) refers to Yahweh, God the Father, in the original Hebrew of Psalm 110:1 (YHWH); and "my Lord" refers to the Messiah (Adonai), whom David acknowledges as his superior, indicating a profound level of reverence and authority that transcends mere human kingship.
* **right hand (Greek, _dexiós'_):** (G1188) Literally meaning the right side or hand, this phrase universally symbolizes the position of highest honor, power, and authority. To be seated at the right hand of God signifies co-equality, shared rule, and ultimate sovereignty, indicating the Messiah's divine status and His rightful place of dominion alongside the Father.
* **enemies (Greek, _echthrós'_):** (G2190) Derived from a root meaning "to hate," this word describes those who are hateful, odious, or actively hostile. In this context, "thine enemies" refers to all forces that oppose God's righteous rule and the Messiah's kingdom, encompassing spiritual adversaries, human opposition, sin, and ultimately, death itself. The promise is that these will be completely subdued.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The LORD said unto my Lord":** This opening clause establishes a divine dialogue between two distinct "Lords." "The LORD" (YHWH) refers to God the Father, the ultimate sovereign, who speaks to "my Lord" (Adonai), referring to the Messiah. This distinction is crucial, as it elevates the Messiah beyond a mere human king, even one as revered as David, into a realm of divine authority and co-existence with God Himself. It is David, the author of the Psalm, who acknowledges the Messiah as his own superior.
* **"Sit thou on my right hand":** This command from God the Father to the Messiah signifies an invitation to a position of supreme honor, power, and authority. It is an enthronement, indicating the Messiah's co-regency and shared divine sovereignty with the Father. This imagery foreshadows Jesus' ascension and exaltation after His resurrection, where He takes His rightful place of ultimate dominion over all creation.
* **"till I make thine enemies thy footstool":** This concluding phrase reveals the ultimate outcome of the Messiah's reign. God the Father promises to actively subdue all of the Messiah's adversaries, making them a "footstool" – a symbol of complete subjugation, humiliation, and absolute victory. This signifies the Messiah's guaranteed triumph over all hostile forces, including sin, death, and every spiritual and earthly opposition, leading to the full establishment of His eternal kingdom.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 22:44 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological message. The most prominent is **Quotation**, as Jesus directly cites Psalm 110:1, a highly revered messianic prophecy from the Old Testament. This use of Scripture lends undeniable authority and weight to Jesus' argument, demonstrating that His claims are rooted in the divinely inspired Word. Furthermore, the entire exchange is framed as a **Rhetorical Question** posed by Jesus to the Pharisees, designed not to elicit information but to expose their theological blind spots and silence their opposition. The verse also relies heavily on **Symbolism**: "right hand" is a powerful symbol of ultimate authority, honor, and shared rule, while "footstool" symbolizes complete subjugation, victory, and dominion over enemies. These symbols communicate profound theological truths in a concise and impactful manner.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 22:44 is a cornerstone for understanding the full identity of Jesus Christ, revealing Him as far more than a mere human prophet or king. It asserts His unique status as both the Son of David—a true human descendant—and David's divine Lord, thereby affirming His dual nature as fully God and fully man. This verse speaks to Christ's supreme sovereignty and His rightful place of authority at the Father's side, a position from which He reigns over all creation and actively works towards the complete subjugation of all opposition. It assures us that His victory is not just partial but absolute, providing immense comfort and confidence to believers in the face of any spiritual or earthly challenge. The ultimate triumph over enemies signifies the final establishment of God's kingdom and Christ's undisputed reign.

* [Acts 2:34-35](/acts/2-34-35 "Peter's Sermon on Pentecost")
* [Hebrews 1:13](/hebrews/1-13 "Christ's Superiority to Angels")
* [1 Corinthians 15:25](/1_corinthians/15-25 "Christ's Reign Until All Enemies are Subdued")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 22:44 calls us to a deeper understanding and worship of Jesus Christ. If David, a king and prophet, called the Messiah his "Lord," how much more should we, who have witnessed His life, death, resurrection, and ascension, acknowledge His absolute sovereignty over our lives? This verse reminds us that Jesus is not merely a historical figure, a wise teacher, or a moral example, but the eternal Son of God, enthroned at the right hand of the Father, wielding all authority in heaven and on earth. His position assures us that He is actively ruling, and that no enemy—be it sin, death, spiritual forces, or the challenges of this world—can ultimately stand against Him. Our response should be one of humble submission to His Lordship, unwavering trust in His ultimate victory, and joyful worship of His exalted name. In a world full of chaos and uncertainty, the truth that Christ is sovereign and will subdue all His enemies offers profound peace and hope.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding Jesus' dual nature—both Son of David and David's Lord—impact your worship and perception of Him?**
* **In what ways does the truth of Jesus' enthronement "on the right hand" of God encourage you in your personal struggles or the challenges facing the world today?**
* **What "enemies" in your life—whether internal struggles, external pressures, or spiritual battles—do you need to trust Christ to place under His "footstool"?**

### FAQ
**Why is "The LORD" capitalized and "my Lord" not in the KJV translation of this verse?**

Answer: The capitalization convention in the King James Version (KJV) is a significant interpretive choice that reflects the original Hebrew of Psalm 110:1, from which Jesus quotes. "The LORD" (all caps) typically translates the divine covenant name of God, YHWH (Yahweh), indicating God the Father. "My Lord" (with a lowercase 'L') translates the Hebrew word *Adonai*, a respectful title for a master or lord. In Psalm 110:1, David uses *Adonai* to refer to the Messiah, acknowledging His superior status and authority, even over David himself. Jesus' use of this distinction highlights the Messiah's divine nature and authority that transcends mere human lineage, making Him worthy of David's worship and submission, thus challenging the Pharisees' limited understanding.

**What does "Sit thou on my right hand" signify about the Messiah?**

Answer: This phrase is a powerful symbol of ultimate honor, authority, and shared rule. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, to be seated at the right hand of a king or deity signified the highest position of power and favor. For the Messiah to be invited by God the Father to "sit on my right hand" means He is being granted co-regency and shared divine authority. It signifies His exaltation, His divine status, and His rightful place of dominion over all creation. This prophecy is fulfilled in Jesus' ascension, where He is enthroned as Lord over all (see [Acts 7:55-56](/acts/7-55-56 "Stephen's Vision of Christ at God's Right Hand")).

**How does Matthew 22:44 relate to Jesus' identity as the Messiah?**

Answer: Matthew 22:44 is a critical verse for understanding Jesus' identity because it directly confronts and expands upon the prevailing Jewish understanding of the Messiah. While the Pharisees correctly identified the Messiah as the "Son of David" (a human descendant), Jesus' quotation of Psalm 110:1 forces them to consider how David could call his own descendant "Lord." This question implies that the Messiah must be more than just a human king; He must possess a divine nature that makes Him superior even to David. Jesus uses this verse to subtly but powerfully assert His own divine identity and authority as the promised Messiah, who is both fully human (Son of David) and fully God (David's Lord). It underscores His unique position as the God-man, the only one capable of fulfilling all messianic prophecies.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 22:44 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus of Nazareth. The "Lord" whom David prophetically acknowledged as his superior is none other than Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God. His resurrection from the dead and subsequent ascension to heaven marked the definitive moment when He was exalted to the very position described in this psalm: seated "on the right hand" of the Father. This is not merely a symbolic gesture but a declaration of His supreme authority and ongoing reign over all creation, as affirmed in [Ephesians 1:20-22](/ephesians/1-20-22 "Christ Seated at God's Right Hand"), where God "raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion." Jesus' current reign ensures that all His enemies—sin, death, and every spiritual opposition—are progressively being made His "footstool." While He awaits the final consummation of His victory, as described in [Hebrews 10:12-13](/hebrews/10-12-13 "Christ's Perfect Sacrifice and Waiting"), His enthronement guarantees His ultimate triumph. This truth provides the bedrock for the Christian hope: our Lord is sovereign, He reigns supreme, and He will return in glory to complete the subjugation of all things under His feet, as foretold in [Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Christ's Exaltation and Universal Lordship") and depicted in [Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11-16 "Christ's Triumphant Return").

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.

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?

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.

1 Corinthians 15:25

For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.

Hebrews 10:12

But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

Hebrews 10:13

From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.