Jesus' Question on the Messiah's Identity in Matthew 22
Jesus' Question on the Messiah's Identity in Matthew 22
In Matthew 22:41-46, Jesus poses a question to the Pharisees about the Messiah's identity, asking, "What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?" They reply, "The son of David." Jesus then quotes Psalm 110:1, where David calls the Messiah "Lord," and asks, "How is he then his son?" [1]. This passage is part of a larger section in Matthew where Jesus engages with various groups, including the Pharisees and Sadducees, in a series of debates and questions.
The context of Matthew 22 is crucial for understanding Jesus' question. The chapter is part of Jesus' final week in Jerusalem, where he is confronted by various religious leaders who attempt to trap him with their questions (Matthew 21:23-27, 22:15-22, 22:23-33) [4]. Jesus' question about the Messiah's identity follows his successful defense against the Sadducees' query about the resurrection (Matthew 22:23-33).
The key terms in this passage revolve around the concept of "Messiah" (or "Christ") and the relationship between David and the Messiah. The title "Messiah" signifies the anointed one, consecrated for a redemptive role as Prophet, Priest, and King [2]. Jesus' question hinges on understanding the Messiah's lineage and divine status.
The major exegetical decision in interpreting this passage involves understanding Jesus' argument about the Messiah being both David's son and Lord. The Pharisees' response that the Messiah is David's son is based on scriptural references such as Isaiah 9:2-7, 11:1-5, Jeremiah 23:5-6, and Ezekiel 34:23-24, which emphasize the Messiah's Davidic lineage [5]. Jesus does not deny this lineage but challenges the Pharisees to consider the Messiah's divinity as implied in Psalm 110:1.
The range of interpretations on this passage includes understanding Jesus' question as a challenge to the Pharisees' limited understanding of the Messiah. According to Calvin, Jesus is not denying the Messiah's Davidic descent but pointing out that this description is inadequate to fully capture the Messiah's nature [3]. The Tyndale House commentary on Matthew 22:41-46 suggests that Jesus is demonstrating that the Messiah is more than just a descendant of David; he is also David's Lord [4].
This passage has functioned significantly in Christian tradition, particularly in discussions about Christology. It has been used to affirm the divinity of Jesus Christ, as it suggests that the Messiah is not merely a human descendant of David but also a divine being worthy of worship. The early Christian interpretation of Psalm 110:1 as a reference to Jesus Christ is a key example of how this passage has been understood in the context of Jesus' identity [4].
The historical setting of Jesus' question is also noteworthy. The Pharisees' expectation of a Messiah who would be a son of David reflects a common Jewish understanding of the time, rooted in various Old Testament passages. Jesus' response, however, indicates that the Messiah's identity encompasses more than this lineage, pointing to a divine aspect that is central to Christian understanding of Jesus.
Sources
- Matthew “He asked them, “Whose is this image and inscription?” -- Matthew 22:20”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Christ — Anointed, the Greek translation of the Hebrew word rendered "Messiah" (q.v.), the official title of our Lord, occurring five hundred and fourteen times in the New Testament. It denotes that he was anointed or consecrated to his great redemptive work as Prophet, Priest, and King of his people. He is Jesus the Christ (Acts 17:3; 18:5; Matt. 22:42), the Anointed One. He is thus spoken of by Isaiah (61:1), and by Daniel (9:24-26), who styles him "Messiah the Prince." The Messiah is the same person as "the seed of the woman" (Gen. 3:15), "the seed of Abraham" (Ge”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 2, section 53.2: 64:7 66:24 Jeremiah 4:31 5:8 5:28 7:4 7:4 9:1 10:23 10:24 10:24 11:21 17:1 17:5 18:16 19:6 19:8 22:24 22:28 25:9 25:13 25:18 28:10 28:11 30:11 31:15 43:2 48:2 50:11 Lamentations 1:7 2:5 2:8 3:29 Ezekiel 15:3 16:26 20:11 20:24 20:25 26:2 26:14 37:1 43:15 43:15 47:11 Daniel 5:28 5:30 5:31 7:10 7:17 8:20 Hosea 1:7 6:4 8:14 9:6 13:3 Joel 1:13 2:13 2:23 2:28 Amos 1:3 3:6 4:1 4:1 5:10 5:19 8:11 Micah 1:3 1:11 2:11 7:9 7:16 Nahum 3:8 Habakkuk 2:1 2:1 2:1 2:2 3:2 3:2 3:13 Zechariah 9:14 13:4 14:3 Malachi 1:4 1:11 4:2 Matthew 2:14 3:12 3:12 3:12 3:12 ”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 22:41: 22:41-46 Having successfully defended himself against his opponents’ traps (21:23–22:40), Jesus questioned them as to how the Messiah can be called both the son of David and, at the same time, the Lord of David (Ps 110:1).”
- Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 12:35: 12:35-37 After having answered various questions, mostly from opponents, Jesus now asked a question (see 8:27; Matt 17:25; 21:31; Luke 10:36). The Messiah was considered the son of David because of such passages as Isa 9:2-7; 11:1-5; Jer 23:5-6; 33:15-16; Ezek 34:23-24; 37:24-28. With his question, Jesus did not deny that the Messiah was a descendant of David (Mark 10:47-48; 11:10; see Rom 1:3-4), but he demonstrated that this description, while correct, is inadequate. The Messiah is far more!”