David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his son?

LUKE 20:44KJV
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Luke 20:44 (KJV)

What does Luke 20:44 mean?

Luke 20:44 records Jesus pointing out a puzzle: King David calls the Messiah “Lord,” so how can the Messiah also be David’s son? Jesus is challenging the common idea that the Messiah would be just a human descendant of David, hinting at a greater identity.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking to religious leaders in Jerusalem who assumed the Messiah would simply be a royal heir from David’s family. Jesus quotes David’s own words from the Psalms to show that the Messiah must be more than just a descendant—someone David himself calls “Lord.” This question leaves the leaders unable to answer, highlighting the deeper mystery of who the Messiah truly is.

The Greek behind Luke 20:44

  • κύριος (kurios, “Lord”): This word means “master” or “lord,” and is used here by David to refer to the Messiah. The use of such a strong title for his own descendant suggests that the Messiah holds a higher status than David himself.
  • υἱός (huios, “son”): This word means “son” or “descendant.” The question centers on how the Messiah can be both David’s descendant and his superior, challenging simple expectations about lineage and authority.

Why Luke 20:44 matters

  • Luke 20:44 clears up the common misunderstanding that the Messiah would be only a political or earthly king descended from David, showing that the Messiah’s role and identity are much greater.
  • This verse emphasizes the authority and identity of the Messiah, inviting readers to think more deeply about who Jesus claims to be.
  • Luke 20:44 connects to the wider passage where Jesus debates with religious leaders, using their own Scriptures to challenge their assumptions and reveal deeper truths about the Messiah.

Where else these words appear

“David” Greek G1138 · used in 54 verses

  • Matthew 1:1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
  • Mark 10:48 And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.
  • Acts 2:25 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:

“how” Greek G4459 · used in 100 verses

  • Matthew 6:28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
  • Luke 11:18 If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.
  • Acts 9:27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

“calleth” Greek G2564 · used in 138 verses

  • Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
  • Luke 7:39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.
  • Romans 9:26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.