Devine Scripture

Mark 12:35

What does Mark 12:35 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 12:35 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 12:35 means

Jesus, now taking the initiative as He taught in the temple, poses a challenging question to the scribes: \"How say the scribes that the Christ is the son of David?\" This question highlights a fundamental aspect of the Messiah’s identity in Jewish theology. The scribes taught that the Messiah would be a descendant of King David, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies. Jesus isn't denying this truth but prompting them to consider a deeper, more profound aspect of the Messiah's nature, one that transcends mere human lineage.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And Jesus answered and said, as he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that the Christ is the son of David?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the Son of David?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And Jesus answered and said, as he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that the Christ is the son of David?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And Jesus, when he was teaching in the Temple, said, How do the scribes say that the Christ is the Son of David?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Jesus answering said, teaching in the temple, `How say the scribes that the Christ is son of David?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And Jesus answering, said, teaching in the temple: How do the scribes say that Christ is the son of David?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Jesus answering said [as he was] teaching in the temple, How do the scribes say that the Christ is son of David?

Context

This verse marks a shift in the narrative from Jesus answering questions to Jesus posing one, challenging the religious leaders' understanding of the Messiah. It immediately follows the silencing of all attempts to entrap Him. This question about the Christ's sonship to David sets the stage for Jesus’s profound theological insight from Psalm 110, aiming to deepen their — and our — understanding of the Messiah’s divine nature and authority.

v.34And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.

v.35This passage

v.36David himself said in the Holy Spirit, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Till I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet.

Cross references

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

  • Mark 11:27

    And they come again to Jerusalem: and as he was walking in the temple, there come to him the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders;

  • 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?

  • Luke 19:47

    And he was teaching daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of the people sought to destroy him:

  • Matthew 9:27

    And as Jesus passed by from thence, two blind men followed him, crying out, and saying, Have mercy on us, thou son of David.

  • Luke 20:41

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

  • Luke 20:1

    And it came to pass, on one of the days, as he was teaching the people in the temple, and preaching the gospel, there came upon him the chief priests and the scribes with the elders;

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