Luke 20 42

Luke 20:42 kjv

And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

Luke 20:42 nkjv

Now David himself said in the Book of Psalms: 'The LORD said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand,

Luke 20:42 niv

David himself declares in the Book of Psalms: "?'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand

Luke 20:42 esv

For David himself says in the Book of Psalms, "'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand,

Luke 20:42 nlt

For David himself wrote in the book of Psalms: 'The LORD said to my Lord,
Sit in the place of honor at my right hand

Luke 20 verses

Luke 20 42 Meaning

Luke 20:42 records Jesus quoting from Psalm 110:1 to challenge the scribes and Pharisees concerning the true identity of the Messiah. The verse directly quotes David stating that "The Lord" (God the Father) spoke to "my Lord" (the Messiah, David's Lord) commanding Him to "Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool." This is Jesus' pivotal argument to demonstrate that the Messiah is not merely a human descendant of David, but is also David's divine Lord, highlighting His unique divine authority and future sovereignty.

Luke 20 42 Context

Luke 20:42 is part of a series of confrontations between Jesus and the religious leaders in Jerusalem during the last week of His earthly ministry. Prior to this verse, Jesus has skillfully responded to challenges from the chief priests and elders about His authority (20:1-8), told the parable of the wicked tenants (20:9-19), and countered the traps of the scribes regarding paying taxes to Caesar (20:20-26) and the Sadducees concerning the resurrection (20:27-40). Having silenced His opponents, Jesus then turns the tables, posing a question to them in Luke 20:41, "How can they say that the Christ is David’s son?" This verse (20:42) provides the scriptural foundation for His question, using Psalm 110:1, a highly respected messianic psalm, to challenge their incomplete understanding of the Messiah. He aims to demonstrate that the Messiah is not merely a political figure or David's descendant but also a divine being worthy of David's own adoration as "Lord."

Luke 20 42 Word analysis

• For David himself says (αὐτὸς γὰρ Δαυὶδ λέγει, autos gar Dauid legei): This emphasizes the direct authority and revered status of David, a figure profoundly significant to Jewish identity and messianic expectation. By beginning with "David himself," Jesus underlines that this testimony comes from a source they already honor. The word autos (himself) serves to highlight the specific person David, lending weighty endorsement to the statement.

• in the book of Psalms (ἐν βίβλῳ Ψαλμῶν, en biblō Psalmōn): Identifies the source as the collection of Psalms, acknowledged as divinely inspired Scripture. This highlights the canonical authority of the quotation and its unquestionable standing in Jewish tradition.

• ‘The Lord (Εἶπεν Κύριος, Eipen Kyrios): Refers to God the Father, in the original Hebrew of Psalm 110:1, this "Lord" is YHWH (the unutterable personal name of God). It signifies the ultimate divine authority issuing the decree.

• said (εἶπεν, eipen): Denotes a divine decree or oracle, carrying ultimate authority and certainty.

• to my Lord (τῷ Κυρίῳ μου, tō Kyriō mou): This is the critical phrase. In the Hebrew of Psalm 110:1, it is לַאדֹנִי (ladoni), "to my lord" (Adonai, a common title of respect, often applied to human superiors, but here, the context distinguishes it). David, a king himself, refers to the coming Messiah as "my Lord." This implies a status far superior to David's own. It suggests divine Lordship over even the most esteemed king of Israel, implying the Messiah's pre-eminence and divine nature, far beyond mere lineage.

• “Sit at My right hand (Κάθου ἐκ δεξιῶν μου, Kathou ek dexiōn mou)”: This imagery universally denotes a position of supreme honor, authority, and co-regency. To be at the "right hand" of a king or ruler implies shared power and a delegated but mighty rule. For the Messiah to sit at God the Father’s right hand signifies divine authority, enthronement, and immediate access to power, not merely as a servant, but as one who shares in divine prerogatives. This position is one of power and ultimate blessing.

• till I make Your enemies Your footstool (ἕως ἂν θῶ τοὺς ἐχθρούς σου ὑποπόδιον τῶν ποδῶν σου, heōs an thō tous echthrous sou hypopodion tōn podōn sou): This phrase portrays a vivid image of total and absolute subjugation. Making someone a "footstool" (a king literally putting his foot on the necks of defeated foes in ancient Near Eastern tradition) is a symbol of utter defeat, complete conquest, and dominion. The phrase implies a definitive and final victory over all opposition. The "till I make" part suggests the Father's active role in empowering the Son's triumph, ensuring His universal rule.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "The Lord said to my Lord": This specific phrase highlights a direct conversation or decree between two distinct yet intimately related "Lords." The first "Lord" (YHWH) is the ultimate Sovereign God, while the second "Lord" (Adonai) is the Messiah. David's use of "my Lord" for the Messiah is the core of Jesus' argument, demonstrating that the Messiah must be greater than David's human son.
  • "Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool": This full command encapsulates the Messiah's ascension, enthronement, shared divine authority, present reign, and future triumph over all opposition. It foretells both a session of power and a definitive conquest, affirming His ultimate cosmic sovereignty.

Luke 20 42 Bonus section

This exchange in Luke 20, by its placement, represents Jesus' final public theological discourse before His crucifixion. It is not just an argument but a final, clear self-revelation. Jesus doesn't directly say "I am this Lord," but His question and the use of this Psalm effectively force the leaders to consider the possibility, exposing their blindness and setting the stage for the New Testament's pervasive application of Psa 110:1 to Jesus. This Messianic "interrogation" by Jesus shows His authority to challenge interpretation of scripture. The failure of the leaders to answer His question demonstrated their lack of spiritual insight into their own prophetic writings regarding the Messiah’s nature, particularly His deity, despite their scholarly positions.

Luke 20 42 Commentary

In Luke 20:42, Jesus masterfully wields Scripture to expose the limitations of the Jewish leaders' messianic expectations. They primarily envisioned the Messiah as a human king, a son of David who would liberate Israel politically. By quoting Psalm 110:1, Jesus compels them to grapple with a prophecy, spoken by David himself, that clearly elevates the Messiah far beyond a mere human descendant. The crucial distinction between "The Lord" (referring to God the Father, YHWH) and "my Lord" (referring to the Messiah, whom David worships as his superior) reveals the Messiah's pre-eminence and divine nature. "Sit at My right hand" further underscores the Messiah's exaltation, divine authority, and shared rule with the Father, an imagery consistent with His subsequent ascension and enthronement in heavenly places. The promise that God will make His "enemies Your footstool" speaks to the ultimate and inevitable triumph of Christ, culminating in universal subjugation of all opposing powers. Jesus' use of this Psalm demonstrates not only His unparalleled grasp of Scripture but also subtly hints at His own divine identity as David's Lord, directly challenging the incomplete theological understanding of His questioners and pointing them toward a richer, more accurate picture of God's Anointed One.