Devine Scripture

Luke 20:41

What does Luke 20:41 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 20:41 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 20:41 means

Having silenced His adversaries, Jesus now took the initiative and posed a question of His own: "How say they that the Christ is David’s son?" This question challenged the common understanding of the Messiah's identity among the Jewish leaders. While it was universally accepted that the Messiah would be a descendant of David (a "Son of David"), Jesus' question subtly suggested a deeper, more complex truth about the Messiah's nature that went beyond mere physical lineage. He aimed to expose their limited understanding of the Christ, paving the way for a revelation of His own divine pre-eminence.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he said to them, Why do they say that the Christ is the son of David?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And he said unto them, `How do they say the Christ to be son of David,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But he said to them: How say they that Christ is the son of David?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he said to them, How do they say that the Christ is David's son,

Context

This verse marks a strategic shift where Jesus, having effectively silenced all His challengers, now takes the offensive. He poses a profound question about the Messiah's identity, which immediately follows the statement that no one dared to ask Him any more questions. This question will serve to expose the superficial understanding of the religious leaders regarding the Christ, setting the stage for His own scriptural explanation.

v.40For they durst not any more ask him any question.

v.41This passage

v.42For David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 2:30

    Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins he would set one upon his throne;

  • Jeremiah 33:15

    In those days, and at that time, will I cause a Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.

  • Isaiah 11:1

    And there shall come forth a shoot out of the stock of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots shall bear fruit.

  • John 7:42

    Hath not the scripture said that the Christ cometh of the seed of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?

  • Jeremiah 33:21

    then may also my covenant be broken with David my servant, that he shall not have a son to reign upon his throne; and with the Levites the priests, my ministers.

  • Matthew 22:41

    Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question,

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