Matthew 22:43

What does Matthew 22:43 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 22:43 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 22:43 means

Jesus presses them further, asking, 'How then doth David in the Spirit call him Lord, saying...? ' He references Psalm 110:1, which David wrote under divine inspiration via the Holy Spirit. Jesus notes the paradox: if the Messiah is merely David's biological descendant, how could David, his ancestor, refer to him as 'Lord'? This question highlights that the coming Messiah must be more than just a man from David's lineage; He must possess a divine nature that transcends human genealogy.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

He says to them, How then does David in the Spirit give him the name of Lord, saying,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

He saith to them, `How then doth David in the Spirit call him lord, saying,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

He says to them, How then does David in Spirit call him Lord, saying,

Context

This verse directly builds upon the Pharisees' answer by introducing Psalm 110:1 and the paradox contained within it. Jesus uses David's own inspired words to challenge their limited understanding of the Messiah. This question immediately precedes the verbatim quotation of the psalm, forcing the Pharisees to grapple with the divine implications of David calling his descendant 'Lord.'

v.42saying, What think ye of the Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The son of David.

v.43This passage

v.44The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Till I put thine enemies underneath thy feet?

Cross references

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

  • Acts 1:16

    Brethren, it was needful that the scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spake before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was guide to them that took Jesus.

  • 2 Peter 1:21

    For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but men spake from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit.

  • 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;

  • Hebrews 3:7

    Wherefore, even as the Holy Spirit saith, To-day if ye shall hear his voice,

  • 2 Samuel 23:2

    The Spirit of Jehovah spake by me, And his word was upon my tongue.

  • Revelation 1:10

    I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet

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