David: What did Jesus say about David

Jesus’ references to King David in the New Testament highlight David’s significance in God’s plan, his role in prophecy, and his place in the lineage leading to Jesus himself. Here are some relevant Bible verses where Jesus mentions or refers to King David:

1. Matthew 22:41-45: In this passage, Jesus questions the Pharisees about the Messiah’s lineage, asking, “Whose son is he?” When they answer, “David’s,” Jesus responds with a quote from Psalm 110:1, asking how David could call his descendant Lord if the Messiah is merely David’s son. This challenges their understanding and highlights the divine nature of the Messiah. “While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, saying, ‘What think ye of Christ? whose son is he?’ They say unto him, ‘The Son of David.’ He saith unto them, ‘How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?’
2. Mark 12:35-37: Similarly, in Mark, Jesus teaches in the temple and asks, “How can the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David?” He then quotes Psalm 110:1 to argue that David himself calls the Messiah Lord, indicating the Messiah’s superiority and divine status. “And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the son of David? 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. David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he then his son?”
3. Luke 20:41-44: Luke’s account of this questioning also emphasizes Jesus’ teaching on the Messiah’s lordship over David, challenging the conventional wisdom of the time and affirming His divine authority. “And he said unto them, How say they that Christ is David’s son? And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Till I make thine enemies thy footstool. David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his son?”

Three Main Takeaways:

1. The Messiah’s Divine Nature: Jesus uses the relationship between David and the Messiah to teach about His divine nature and lordship, emphasizing that the Messiah is more than just a descendant of David but is also his Lord, pointing to Jesus’ divinity.
2. Fulfillment of Prophecy: The references to David and the use of Psalms highlight how Jesus fulfills Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah. Jesus’ lineage and actions fulfill the prophecies made about the coming Savior, reinforcing His identity as the Christ.
3. Understanding the Kingdom of God: Jesus’ discussions around David and His questions to the Pharisees challenge existing interpretations of the Scriptures, inviting a deeper understanding of the Kingdom of God. It shows that the kingdom is not merely a continuation of the earthly rule seen in David’s time but is a spiritual and eternal reign inaugurated by Christ.

These passages underscore Jesus’ role as the promised Messiah, the Son of David yet His Lord, fulfilling the prophecies and expanding the understanding of God’s Kingdom.