Mark 12:35-37
David Called Him Lord
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35While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, He asked, “How can the scribes say that the Christ is the Son of David?
36Speaking by the Holy Spirit, David himself declared: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand until I put Your enemies under Your feet.”’
37David himself calls Him ‘Lord.’ So how can He be David’s son?” And the large crowd listened to Him with delight.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
David's son would be the promised King. The scribes taught that, and Jesus does not discard the promise. He asks them to consider something else David said about the Christ.
Speaking by the Holy Spirit, David calls this coming ruler his Lord. Psalm 110 pictures God inviting Him to sit at His right hand until His enemies are put under His feet. That is a place of honor and authority, with victory granted by God.
How can David's descendant also be David's Lord? A family line tells us something true about the Christ, but it does not tell us everything. Even Israel's great king speaks of Him as someone above himself.
The crowd listens with delight. Mark does not record a reply to Jesus' question here, but the Bible does not leave us with a permanent puzzle. In Acts 2, Peter returns to this psalm as he proclaims Jesus' resurrection and exaltation. The crucified Jesus has been raised to life and exalted at God's right hand. He is Lord and Christ.
We need both truths as we read about Him. Jesus entered the history of God's people and fulfilled His promise to David. He is also the Lord before whom David himself must bow. We come to Him for mercy and receive His teaching as people who belong under His good rule. His authority is greater than the expectations anyone brings to Him.
Questions
1 Does Jesus deny that the Christ is David's son?
AnswerNo. He asks how the Christ can also be David's Lord. The promised family relationship is true, but it is not the whole account of His identity.
2 What does the invitation to sit at God's right hand show?
AnswerIt gives the Christ a place of honor and authority. God promises to put His enemies beneath His feet, so His victory depends on God's action.
3 How does Peter use this psalm in Acts 2?
AnswerHe connects it to Jesus, whom God raised from the dead and exalted at His right hand. He announces that this Jesus is both Lord and Christ.
4 What difference should Jesus' lordship make when His teaching challenges us?
AnswerWe should listen with a willingness to obey, rather than accept only what suits us. We can ask for understanding and help while acknowledging that His authority is good.
What This Means for Us
It is possible to enjoy hearing about Jesus while reserving the right to ignore Him. The crowd's delight invites us to listen; His identity calls for something more than appreciation.
Recall a clear teaching of Jesus that you have found difficult to obey. Bring that difficulty to Him honestly. Ask for the help you need, then take the next faithful step. The risen Lord does not lose His authority when obedience is costly, and the One who died and rose for His people is worthy of our trust.
Prayer
Father, thank You for raising and exalting Your Son. Help us receive Jesus as our Savior and Lord, listening when His words challenge us and trusting His rule when other powers seem stronger. Amen.