WHOSE SON IS THE CHRIST?

Passage: Mark 12:35-40

Key verse: 37

NIV

Whose Son Is the Messiah?(A)(B)

35 While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts,(C) he asked, “Why do the teachers of the law say that the Messiah is the son of David?(D) 36 David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit,(E) declared:

“‘The Lord said to my Lord:
    “Sit at my right hand
until I put your enemies
    under your feet.”’[a](F)

37 David himself calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?”

The large crowd(G) listened to him with delight.

Warning Against the Teachers of the Law

38 As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, 39 and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets.(H) 40 They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”

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Footnotes
  1. Mark 12:36 Psalm 110:1
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Whose Son Is the Christ?

35 (A)And as (B)Jesus taught in the temple, he said, “How can the scribes say that (C)the Christ is the son of David? 36 David himself, (D)in the Holy Spirit, declared,

(E)“‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
    until I put your enemies (F)under your feet.”’

37 David himself calls him Lord. So (G)how is he his son?” And the great throng (H)heard him gladly.

Beware of the Scribes

38 (I)And in his teaching he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces 39 and have the best seats in the synagogues and (J)the places of honor at feasts, 40 (K)who devour widows' houses and (L)for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. David called him Lord (35-37)

Jesus silenced the hypocritical teachers of the law who had tried to trap him with their questions. Then he asked them a question: Whose son is the Christ? They knew that the Christ must be a descendant of King David, for this was God's promise (2Sa 7:12,16). He would be the true shepherd of his people (Eze 34:23). But he would be more. He would be God himself, coming to dwell with his people. Jesus quoted Psalm 110:1. Here, King David calls the Messiah 'Lord.' The Messiah would not be just David's descendant--he would be David's Lord. Jesus Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords.

2. Watch out for the teachers of the law (38-40)

Those who study and teach the Bible but do not welcome and obey the King of kings will be punished most severely by God. Those whose religion is only seen on a bumper sticker or in a cross on a chain, or in long, pointless prayers or in superficial Bible study reports cannot please God.

Prayer: Lord, help me to acknowledge your lordship in every area of my life.

One Word: Jesus is Christ the Lord