Mark 12 37

Mark 12:37 kjv

David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he then his son? And the common people heard him gladly.

Mark 12:37 nkjv

Therefore David himself calls Him 'Lord'; how is He then his Son?" And the common people heard Him gladly.

Mark 12:37 niv

David himself calls him 'Lord.' How then can he be his son?" The large crowd listened to him with delight.

Mark 12:37 esv

David himself calls him Lord. So how is he his son?" And the great throng heard him gladly.

Mark 12:37 nlt

Since David himself called the Messiah 'my Lord,' how can the Messiah be his son?" The large crowd listened to him with great delight.

Mark 12 verses

Mark 12 37 Meaning

Mark 12:37 concludes Jesus' interaction with the scribes regarding the Messiah's identity. In this verse, Jesus presents a profound paradox, challenging the prevalent understanding of the Messiah solely as David's human descendant. By citing Psalm 110:1, where David himself calls the Messiah "Lord," Jesus highlights the Messiah's divine nature and pre-eminence, distinct from merely human lineage. The verse implies that the Messiah, though descending from David, must also transcend David, holding a position of superior authority, even divinity, as David's Lord. The crowd's delighted response indicates their appreciation for Jesus' profound wisdom and His ability to resolve such theological complexities.

Mark 12 37 Context

Mark 12:37 is the culmination of a series of challenging encounters Jesus faces in the Jerusalem temple just before His Passion. The preceding verses (Mk 12:1-34) describe Jesus' parables and his masterful responses to entrapment questions from the Jewish authorities: the chief priests and elders (Parable of the Tenants, 12:1-12), the Pharisees and Herodians (tax question, 12:13-17), and the Sadducees (resurrection question, 12:18-27). Having silenced His adversaries and established His authority through His wisdom (the scribe's praise in Mk 12:28-34 for Jesus' answer on the greatest commandment further solidifies this), Jesus then takes the initiative in verses 35-37. He turns the tables, posing a question to the very religious leaders who sought to discredit Him. This question about the Messiah's identity and Ps 110:1 serves not only to expose their limited understanding of scripture and the Messiah's true nature but also to assert His own unique and authoritative claim as both David's Son and David's Lord. The crowd's reaction stands in stark contrast to the increasing animosity of the religious elite, underscoring Jesus' popular appeal among the common people who were open to His deeper truths.

Mark 12 37 Word analysis

• David (Δαυὶδ - Dauid): Refers to King David, the most celebrated king of Israel, prophesied to have an eternal dynasty (2 Sam 7). His authorship of many Psalms, including Psalm 110, adds immense weight to the statement.
• himself (αὐτὸς - autos): Emphasizes that David, the revered ancestral king, and author, is personally making the declaration. This highlights the irrefutable source of the theological paradox Jesus presents.
• calls him (καλεῖ αὐτὸν - kalei auton): "Calls" implies a naming or acknowledging. "Him" refers to the Messiah, who David addresses in Psalm 110:1.
• Lord (Κύριον - Kyrios): This Greek term translates the Hebrew Adonai in Ps 110:1. When God (Yahweh) says to David's Lord (Adonai), it signifies a highly exalted, divine status. David, the King, calling anyone "Lord" demonstrates the superior rank and authority of the Messiah, beyond mere human kingship or lineage. It points towards divine sovereignty.
• so how can he be (πῶς αὐτοῦ - pōs autou): "How" presents a logical dilemma, questioning the established understanding. It demands reconciliation of seemingly contradictory truths.
• his son (υἱός ἐστιν - huios estin): Refers to the common understanding of the Messiah as the "Son of David," meaning a human descendant in the royal line. This challenges the purely human, earthly, and genetic interpretation of Messiah.
• And the great crowd (Καὶ ὁ πολὺς ὄχλος - Kai ho polys ochlos): Signifies a significant number of common people present, distinguished from the religious leaders. It indicates popular appeal and a willingness to listen.
• listened (ἤκουεν - ēkouen): Imperfect tense, suggesting a continuous action – they kept listening, captivated.
• to him (αὐτοῦ - autou): To Jesus.
• with delight (ἡδέως - hēdeōs): Gladly, pleasantly, with enjoyment or pleasure. This word denotes genuine appreciation and reception, a stark contrast to the increasing hostility of the religious authorities. It implies they found Jesus' teaching wise, compelling, and satisfying.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "David himself calls him Lord; so how can he be his son?": This entire phrase presents Jesus' masterful reinterpretation of a central Old Testament prophecy (Ps 110:1). It sets up a Christological puzzle that exposes the limits of a purely genealogical Messiahship. It implies that the Messiah is not only David's physical heir but also holds a divine, pre-eminent status over David, demanding the Messiah be divine as well as human.
• "And the great crowd listened to him with delight": This concluding part of the verse highlights Jesus' immense popular appeal and effective communication with ordinary people. It underscores the contrast between the masses, who are open to new spiritual insights, and the often hardened, resistant religious leaders. The crowd's positive response indicates that Jesus' teachings resonated with them and validated His authority.

Mark 12 37 Bonus section

The question Jesus poses in Mark 12:35-37 was a highly sophisticated challenge to the leading Jewish teachers of the day. Rabbinic tradition heavily emphasized the "Son of David" lineage. However, they generally avoided or struggled with the interpretation of Ps 110:1 that Jesus put forth, which suggested a Messiah with divine status superior even to David himself. Jesus' method was a classic example of "hekal wa-homer" (light to heavy) argument, where a point of lesser significance leads to a conclusion of greater significance. If David, the great King, revered his descendant as "Lord," how much greater must that "Lord" be? This implicitly demonstrates Jesus' supreme authority, as He resolves a major scriptural tension that their religious leaders could not. Jesus was asserting not just a reinterpretation of Scripture, but His very identity as both human Messiah and divine Lord.

Mark 12 37 Commentary

Mark 12:37 encapsulates Jesus' profound theological teaching, shifting the focus of messianic expectation. Rather than merely affirming a Messiah who is a human king from David's line, Jesus reveals a deeper truth: the Messiah is also David's Lord. By using Psalm 110:1, one of the most frequently quoted Old Testament verses in the New Testament, Jesus argues for the Messiah's divine nature and supreme authority. This divine lordship necessitates a re-evaluation of how they understood the "Son of David" title; it implies the Messiah's pre-existence and Godhood alongside His human lineage. This statement is a direct Christological declaration, implicitly asserting Jesus' own identity as the prophesied God-Man. The crowd's "delight" is significant, contrasting sharply with the scribes' growing antagonism. It indicates their openness to Jesus' unique interpretation and profound wisdom, demonstrating that His message, while challenging to the entrenched authorities, was compelling and refreshing to the common people. This public acclamation further amplified the tension between Jesus and the religious establishment.