Matthew 22:44 kjv
The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?
Matthew 22:44 nkjv
'The LORD said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool" '?
Matthew 22:44 niv
"?'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet."?'
Matthew 22:44 esv
"'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet"'?
Matthew 22:44 nlt
'The LORD said to my Lord,
Sit in the place of honor at my right hand
until I humble your enemies beneath your feet.'
Matthew 22 44 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 110:1 | The LORD says to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand, till I make your enemies a footstool for your feet." | Original prophecy about Messiah's authority. |
| Mk 12:36 | For David himself, in the Holy Spirit, declared, "'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand...'" | Parallel account of Jesus' question. |
| Lk 20:42-43 | For David himself says in the Book of Psalms, "'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand...'" | Parallel account, quoting Psa 110:1. |
| Acts 2:33 | Being therefore exalted to the right hand of God, and having received... | Peter links Christ's resurrection/ascension to the right hand of God. |
| Acts 2:34-35 | For David did not ascend into the heavens; but he himself says, "'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet."'" | Peter directly applies Psa 110:1 to Jesus. |
| Acts 7:55-56 | But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. | Stephen's vision of Jesus' exalted position. |
| Rom 8:34 | Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. | Christ's intercessory role at God's right hand. |
| 1 Cor 15:25 | For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. | Direct parallel to the "enemies under feet" aspect. |
| Eph 1:20-22 | ...seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion... | Christ's supreme authority and power over all. |
| Col 3:1 | If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. | Call to heavenly focus due to Christ's position. |
| Heb 1:3 | After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. | Christ's completed work and exalted status. |
| Heb 1:13 | And to which of the angels has he ever said, "Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet"? | Christ's superiority over angels, using Psa 110:1. |
| Heb 10:12-13 | But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting for that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. | Christ's completed work, session, and awaiting ultimate victory. |
| 1 Pet 3:22 | who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him. | Christ's reign over all spiritual powers. |
| Phil 2:9-11 | Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow... | Christ's supreme exaltation and universal Lordship. |
| Rev 5:1 | Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll... | The Father's authority is depicted with His right hand. |
| Rev 19:11-16 | Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. | The triumphant Christ returning to fully conquer His enemies. |
| Isa 9:6 | For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. | Prophecy of Messiah's divine nature, foreshadowing Him as David's Lord. |
| 2 Sam 7:12-14 | When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you... | God's promise of an eternal dynasty through David, which Ps 110:1 expounds. |
| Psa 2:6-7 | "As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill." I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, "You are my Son; today I have begotten you." | Messianic Psalm showing the divine sonship and royal decree. |
| Gen 3:15 | I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel. | The earliest promise of ultimate victory over evil, fulfilled in Christ's triumph. |
| Lk 1:32-33 | He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever... | Mary's prophecy reinforcing Jesus' dual nature as David's heir and God's Son. |
Matthew 22 verses
Matthew 22 44 Meaning
Matthew 22:44 presents a pivotal quote from Psalm 110:1, used by Jesus to challenge the prevailing understanding of the Messiah. It signifies the divine authority and supreme position of the Messiah, asserting that He is not merely David's human son but also David's Lord. The verse proclaims the Messiah's exaltation to a position of unparalleled power and honor at the right hand of God the Father, and foretells His ultimate and complete triumph over all adversaries, signifying the complete subjugation of every opposing force.
Matthew 22 44 Context
Matthew 22:44 is part of a series of confrontations between Jesus and various religious factions in Jerusalem during His final week before His crucifixion. Prior to this, Jesus has cleverly silenced the Sadducees regarding the resurrection (vv. 23-33) and the Pharisees on the greatest commandment (vv. 34-40). Having thus addressed and effectively answered His interrogators, Jesus takes the initiative (v. 41) and poses His own question to the Pharisees. He challenges their traditional, limited understanding of the Messiah as merely a human descendant of David (v. 42). By quoting Psalm 110:1, which David himself refers to the Messiah as "my Lord," Jesus introduces the crucial concept of the Messiah's divine nature and supreme authority, beyond simple lineage. The historical context includes the fervent expectation of a conquering Messiah among Jewish people, primarily interpreted as a political figure to liberate them from Roman rule, descended from David. Jesus here aims to correct this narrow view, pushing them to consider a Messiah with divine Lordship. The scene concludes with the Pharisees unable to answer, and no one daring to question Him further, underscoring Jesus' authority and wisdom.
Matthew 22 44 Word analysis
- The LORD: (Greek: Ho Kyrios, transliteration of the Hebrew YHWH). In Psalm 110:1, the first "LORD" unequivocally refers to Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel, the Father. In the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament), YHWH is consistently translated as Kyrios. This signifies the ultimate, sovereign authority of God.
- said: (Greek: eipan). Indicating a divine utterance, a prophetic declaration directly from God the Father.
- to my Lord: (Greek: tō Kyriō mou). This is critical. In the original Hebrew of Psalm 110:1, it's lāʾḏōnî (לַאדֹנִי), meaning "to my Lord." This term, 'adoni, while often used for human masters, when used by King David in the context of Yahweh's direct address, elevates its subject to a unique and supreme status above any ordinary man. Jesus emphasizes that David, Israel's greatest king, referred to the Messiah not merely as "son" but as "Lord," implying a superiority that transcends genealogical lineage alone. This directly points to the Messiah's pre-existence and divine nature.
- Sit: (Greek: Kathou). An imperative, signifying a command. This is not merely an invitation to rest, but an authoritative decree for the Messiah to take a specific, exalted position.
- at My right hand: (Greek: ek dexiōn mou). This is a metaphorical, anthropomorphic phrase signifying the highest possible place of honor, power, authority, and shared rule with God the Father. In ancient cultures, sitting at the king's right hand was reserved for the most favored, powerful, and entrusted individual. For God to invite someone to sit at His right hand indicates divine investiture of power and majesty.
- till I put Your enemies: (Greek: heōs an thō tous echthrous sou). The word "till" (ἕως, heōs) denotes a duration, a process that culminates. It does not imply that the Messiah will cease to be at God's right hand after the enemies are subjugated. Rather, it defines the period leading up to and including the full demonstration of the Messiah's victory. This signifies the active, ongoing, and eventual complete subjection of all hostile powers.
- Your enemies: Refers to all forces opposing the Messiah's righteous rule: spiritual wickedness, death, sin, human adversaries, and ultimately, Satan himself.
- under Your feet: (Greek: hypoposion tōn podōn sou, literally "footstool of your feet"). A powerful ancient idiom symbolizing complete conquest, utter subjugation, and decisive victory. To put someone "under one's feet" meant to trample them down, to have them utterly defeated and subdued. It paints a picture of irreversible and comprehensive triumph.
Words-group analysis:
- "The LORD said to my Lord": This phrase highlights the divine dialogue and relationship between God the Father (YHWH) and God the Son (the Messiah). It establishes the Messiah's divine identity and co-equality with God, even though He is distinct. The tension of David calling his "son" his "Lord" challenges the common understanding and points to a Messiah who is both fully human (son of David) and fully divine (David's Lord).
- "Sit at My right hand": This signifies the Messiah's divine investiture of authority and His session as King. It speaks to Christ's present reign in glory after His resurrection and ascension. It's a statement of permanent royal enthronement and participation in the divine sovereignty.
- "till I put Your enemies under Your feet": This expresses the ongoing process and ultimate triumph of Christ. It assures believers of the future, complete victory over all evil, aligning with Christ's already established Lordship. The "until" implies a period of active warfare and subduing that culminates in total victory, after which His reign continues unchallenged. This speaks to both historical (through His earthly ministry) and eschatological (His second coming) defeat of His adversaries.
Matthew 22 44 Bonus section
- The question Jesus asks is a classic example of rabbinic kal vahomer (light and heavy) or argument from the greater to the lesser, where if David himself, inspired by the Holy Spirit, calls his descendant "Lord," how can he just be David's son? This forces the Pharisees to consider the Messiah's divine identity beyond mere human lineage.
- Psalm 110:1 is the most quoted Old Testament verse in the New Testament. Its frequent citation underscores its fundamental importance to early Christian understanding of Jesus Christ's identity, work, and eternal reign. This demonstrates that Jesus' application of this Psalm was not novel but formed a key theological building block for the apostles.
- The "right hand of God" imagery conveys not just proximity but absolute identity of purpose and authority. In Revelation, Jesus is seen in this position of power, confirming His ongoing governance and judgment over all things.
- The concept of placing "enemies under feet" has roots in ancient Near Eastern monarchies where a victorious king would literally place his foot on the necks of his vanquished foes. This physical act symbolized utter defeat and subservience. Applied to the Messiah, it portrays total, non-negotiable dominion over every opposing force.
Matthew 22 44 Commentary
Matthew 22:44 is Jesus' climactic counter-question to the Pharisees, rooted in Psalm 110:1, a universally recognized Messianic psalm. By highlighting that David referred to the Messiah as "my Lord," Jesus deftly introduces the Messiah's pre-existence, divine nature, and co-equality with the Father, which was missing from the Pharisees' limited human-descendant concept. This verse, therefore, affirms Christ's true identity as both David's son and David's Lord (God).
The phrase "Sit at My right hand" speaks directly to Christ's ascension and enthronement in heavenly authority (session), a post-resurrection reality where He reigns alongside the Father. This is not merely a position of honor but one of active, supreme power and intercession. The "till I put Your enemies under Your feet" clarifies that His reign is purposeful: to conquer all opposing forces. This subjection of enemies is a process, not a singular event. It encompasses the spiritual victory at the cross over sin, death, and Satan; the ongoing defeat of hostile spiritual forces through the Church; and the final, ultimate judgment at His return. This ultimate victory is certain, a decree of the Almighty. The verse underscores Christ's current dominion and His assured, complete triumph, offering a cornerstone for understanding Christology and eschatology. It encourages believers to live under the sovereignty of their enthroned King, knowing His victory is assured.