“If
then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?” No one was able to answer him a word, neither did any man dare ask him any more questions from that day forward.
Matthew 22:45-46
Matthew 22 [44.] ‘The Lord said to my Lord,
sit on my right hand,
until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet?’
Matthew 22 [45.] “If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?”
Matthew 22 [46.] No one was able to answer him a word, neither did any man dare ask him any more questions from that day forward.
Matthew 23 [1.] Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees sat on Moses’ seat. All things therefore whatever they tell you to observe, observe and do, but don’t do their works; for they say, and don’t do. For they bind heavy burdens that are grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not lift a finger to help them. But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad, enlarge the fringes of their garments, and love the place of honor at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, the salutations in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi, Rabbi’ by men. But don’t you be called ‘Rabbi,’ for one is your teacher, the Christ, and all of you are brothers. Call no man on the earth your father, for one is your Father, he who is in heaven. Neither be called masters, for one is your master, the Christ. But he who is greatest among you will be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Meaning:
Jesus had asked the Pharisees, “What do you think of the Christ? Whose son is he?” They answered, “Of David.” Then he reminded them that David, speaking by the Spirit, called the Messiah “my Lord” (Matthew 22:41-43; Matthew 22:44). These two verses bring that conversation, and the whole series of debates in the temple, to a close. Luke gives the same question in almost the same words: “David therefore calls him Lord, so how is he his son?” (Luke 20:44).
- “If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?”
Jesus leaves the Pharisees with a puzzle that their own teaching could not solve. They expected the Messiah to be a descendant of David, a great king who would restore the kingdom, but only a man. If he were only David’s son, David would not call him Lord. The only answer is that the Messiah is more than a man. He is David’s descendant according to the flesh, and at the same time David’s Lord, who sits at God’s right hand. Jesus was standing before them as that very Messiah. At his trial he would say, “after this you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power” (Matthew 26:64).
- “No one was able to answer him a word”
The experts in the law, who had come to trap Jesus, now had nothing to say. Jesus had answered every question put to him with wisdom, and his one question silenced them all. The temple officers had earlier reported, “No man ever spoke like this man!” (John 7:46). Jesus later promised his disciples the same help: “I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to withstand or to contradict” (Luke 21:15).
- “neither did any man dare ask him any more questions from that day forward”
This marks a turning point. The leaders stopped trying to defeat Jesus in debate. Mark writes, “No one dared ask him any question after that” (Mark 12:34). Instead of open argument, they turned to secret plans. A few days later the leaders met in the court of the high priest: “They took counsel together that they might take Jesus by deceit, and kill him” (Matthew 26:4). Silence did not lead them to faith. They could not answer him, but they would not bow to him either. Jesus then turned to the crowds and his disciples and warned them about the scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 23:1-8).
The Significance of Matthew 22:45-46
- Silence is not the same as faith
The Pharisees were silenced but not changed. It is possible to lose every argument against Jesus and still refuse to follow him. God looks for humble hearts, not just closed mouths.
- Every tongue will confess
One day every voice that argued against Christ will acknowledge him: “every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:11). It is far better to confess him gladly now.
Cross-References:
Luke 20:44: “David therefore calls him Lord, so how is he his son?” Luke’s account of the question.
Mark 12:34: “No one dared ask him any question after that.” The end of the debates.
Romans 3:19: “that every mouth may be closed.” All people silenced before God.
Philippians 2:10-11: “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow.” Christ’s lordship acknowledged by all.
Conclusion: Jesus’ question about David’s son and David’s Lord left the Pharisees without an answer, because the answer was Jesus himself, the Son of David who is also the Son of God. From that day his opponents stopped questioning him and began plotting against him. Their silence is a warning: it is not enough to be silenced by Jesus; we are called to confess him as Lord.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible