David's Quotation of Psalm 110 in Matthew 22
In Matthew 22:41-46, Jesus challenges the Pharisees by quoting Psalm 110:1 to demonstrate the Messiah's true identity as both David's son and David's Lord. The passage reads:
While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question: “What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?” “The son of David,” they replied. He said to them, “How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him ‘Lord’? For he says, “‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.”’ If then David calls him ‘Lord,’ how can he merely be his son?” No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions [Matthew 22:41-46, NIV].
This exchange occurs in Jerusalem during Jesus' final week, following several confrontations with religious leaders who sought to trap him with questions [4]. Jesus turns the tables by posing a question about the Messiah, a central figure in Jewish expectation. The Pharisees correctly identify the Messiah as the "son of David," a common understanding rooted in prophetic tradition [7].
Jesus then cites Psalm 110:1, a psalm explicitly attributed to David [2, 5]. This verse states, "The Lord said to my Lord, 'Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.'" The first "Lord" (Hebrew: Yahweh) refers to God, while the second "Lord" (Hebrew: ’adoni) signifies "my master" or "my superior" [7]. David, speaking "in spirit" (Matthew 22:43), acknowledges the Messiah as his Lord, even though the Messiah is also his descendant [5]. This paradox—how David's son could also be his Lord—highlights the Messiah's divine nature and unique status [4].
Psalm 110:1 is the most frequently quoted Old Testament verse in the New Testament, appearing in various contexts to describe Jesus' ministry and status [3, 4]. It is cited in Acts 2:34-35, 1 Corinthians 15:25, Hebrews 1:13, and Revelation 3:21, among other places, to affirm Jesus' exaltation to God's right hand and his ultimate triumph over all enemies [3, 7]. The early church understood this psalm as a direct prophecy of Christ, confirming his messianic identity and divine authority [6, 7]. The "right hand" signifies a position of supreme authority and honor [1]. By quoting this psalm, Jesus silences his opponents, demonstrating that the Messiah is more than just a human king descended from David; he is also divine, worthy of David's worship as Lord [4].
Sources
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Psalms 110:1 cross-references: 1 Chronicles 28:2, Psalms 2:6, Psalms 8:1, Psalms 8:6, Psalms 45:6, Psalms 109:20, Zechariah 6:13, Matthew 22:42, Matthew 26:64, Mark 12:35, Mark 16:19, Luke 20:42, Luke 22:41, Acts 2:34, 1 Corinthians 15:25, Ephesians 1:20, Colossians 3:1, Hebrews 1:3, Hebrews 1:13, Hebrews 8:1, Hebrews 10:12, Hebrews 12:2, 1 Peter 3:22”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 110 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 110 A Psalm of David. This psalm was written by David, as the title shows, and which is confirmed by our Lord Jesus Christ, Mat 22:43 and by the Apostle Peter, Act 2:34 and was not written by anyone of the singers concerning him, as Aben Ezra and Kimchi; nor by Melchizedek, nor by Eliezer the servant of Abraham, concerning him, as Jarchi and others: for the former could not call Abraham his lord, since he was greater than he, Heb 7:7 and though the latter might, yet he could not assign his master a place at the right hand of God; ”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 22:44: 22:44 The quotation is from Ps 110:1, which is frequently cited by New Testament authors to describe Jesus (see Acts 2:34-35; 1 Cor 15:25; Heb 1:13; 2:8; 10:12-13; Rev 3:21).”
- Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 12:36: 12:36-37 Psalm 110:1 is the Old Testament verse most quoted in the New Testament. Since David authored the psalm, the statement “The Lord [God] said to my [David’s] Lord [the Messiah]” indicates that the Messiah is David’s Lord. Thus, the Messiah could not simply be David’s son. He is the Son of God who sits at God’s right hand (Mark 14:62) and will come to judge the world (8:38; 13:24-27, 32-37).”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 110:1: Some have called this psalm David's creed, almost all the articles of the Christian faith being found in it; the title calls it David's psalm, for in the believing foresight of the Messiah he both praised God and solaced himself, much more may we, in singing it, to whom that is fulfilled, and therefore more clearly revealed, which is here foretold. Glorious things are here spoken of Christ, and such as oblige us to consider how great he is. I. That he is David's Lord. We must take special notice of this because he himself does. Mat 22:43, David, in spirit, calls ”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 110 (introduction): This psalm is pure gospel; it is only, and wholly, concerning Christ, the Messiah promised to the fathers and expected by them. It is plain that the Jews of old, even the worst of them, so understood it, however the modern Jews have endeavoured to pervert it and to rob us of it; for when the Lord Jesus proposed a question to the Pharisees upon the first words of this psalm, where he takes it for granted that David, in spirit, calls Christ his Lord though he was his Son, they chose rather to say nothing, and to own themselves gravelled, than to make i”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 110:1: Ps 110 Jesus and the apostles cite this psalm to explain Jesus’ unique ministry and status as the Messiah (Matt 22:43-45; Acts 2:32-36). It reaffirms God’s covenant with David and gives hope for the future (see 2 Sam 7:8-16). 110:1 The king of Israel had the great privilege of being the Lord’s adopted son (Ps 2; 1 Chr 22:10), but he fell (Ps 89). This decree restores and heightens his position. • The Lord: Hebrew Yahweh, the name of God (see Exod 3:6-14; 6:2-8; 20:2). • my Lord (Hebrew ’adoni) means “my master” or “my superior.” The psalmist viewed God’s messiani”