Jesus addressed the religious leaders who had been questioning Him. Matthew has Jesus asking the question of the Pharisees ( Matthew 22:41). Mark has Him asking generally how the scribes could say that Messiah was David"s son ( Mark 12:35). Luke has Jesus alluding even more generally to those who taught that Messiah was David"s son. Luke"s wording focuses on the question more directly by playing down the identity of the teachers. The people listening to the discussion were those whom Jesus addressed as well as His critics ( Luke 20:45). The question itself was, in what sense could Israel"s teachers say that Messiah would be David"s son. [source][source][source]
"People who used the title "Son of David" ( Luke 18:38-39; Matthew 21:9) clearly envisaged the Messiah as someone who would defeat all Israel"s foes and bring in a new kingdom of David. They thought of David"s son as similar to David in being, outlook and achievement. There are not wanting Jewish writings of the period which speak of the Son of David in terms of a narrow nationalism that looked for Israel"s triumph over all its foes (e.g. the Psalm of Solomon). Jesus means us to see that the Messiah was not David"s son in that petty sense. He was Lord, Lord of men"s hearts and lives. To call Him Lord meaningfully is to see Him as greater by far than merely another David." [1][source]
Context Summary
Luke 20:41-47 - David's Lord Testing Men And Women
It was the Master's turn to question. As man, He was David's descendant and son; as the Son of God, He was his Lord. Though it sealed His doom, our Lord tore the veil from before these hypocrites, that when He had passed, His followers might be warned against these sunken rocks, Judges 1:12.
We note the difference between the false teachers, who devoured widows' houses, and the true Leader and Teacher, who set so high a value on a widow's gift. Our gifts to God should cost us something, else they are not reckoned in the accounts of eternity. The real value of a gift is to be estimated by what is left behind. Remember that the fragrance and beauty of this act have lasted, while the stones of the Temple have crumbled to dust. Holy deeds are imperishable! Jesus is still sitting by the treasury, watching and estimating our gifts. [source]
Chapter Summary: Luke 20
1Jesus confirms his authority by a question of John's baptism 9The parable of the vineyard 19Of giving tribute to Caesar 27He instructs the Sadducees, who denied the resurrection 41How Jesus is the Son of David 45He warns his disciples to beware of the scribes
Greek Commentary for Luke 20:41
How say they? [Πως λεγουσιν] The Pharisees had rallied in glee and one of their number, a lawyer, had made a feeble contribution to the controversy which resulted in his agreement with Jesus and in praise from Jesus (Mark 12:28-34; Matthew 27:34-40). Luke does not give this incident which makes it plain that by “they say” The construction with λεγουσιν legousin is the usual infinitive and the accusative in indirect discourse. By “the Christ” (τον Χριστον ton Christon) “the Messiah” is meant. [source]
What do the individual words in Luke 20:41 mean?
He saidthentothemHowdo they declaretheChristto beof DavidSon
Greek Commentary for Luke 20:41
The Pharisees had rallied in glee and one of their number, a lawyer, had made a feeble contribution to the controversy which resulted in his agreement with Jesus and in praise from Jesus (Mark 12:28-34; Matthew 27:34-40). Luke does not give this incident which makes it plain that by “they say” The construction with λεγουσιν legousin is the usual infinitive and the accusative in indirect discourse. By “the Christ” (τον Χριστον ton Christon) “the Messiah” is meant. [source]