Matthew 22:41–46: David’s Greater Son
Introduction
Numerous factions, pursuing varying agendas, have all had their shot at Jesus. They have challenged him with their most difficult questions, forcing him into logical, political, and theological dilemmas again and again. Any one of these challenges would have been enough to discredit him, and none of these challenges seemed to offer even a shred of hope for a reasonable answer he could give. Yet each time, Jesus gave responses that stunned his opponents at every turn. Now that those questions have concluded, Jesus has his own question to ask them. This time, Jesus does not bring up the controversial questions of the day, as the Pharisees, Herodians, and Sadducees had done. Instead, Jesus asks a question about a topic on which there were no disagreements among the Jewish people. Through this, Jesus proves something extraordinary, namely, that Jesus is David’s greater Son.
Discussion Questions
1. Read Mark 12:35 and Luke 20:41. How does Jesus broach the question about the identity of the Christ in those passages? What additional, introductory question does Matthew record that leads into that discussion? How does the framing of the identity of the Christ (“whose son?”) shape the way that we interpret Jesus’ later comments about the lordship of David’s son over David? What does it tell us that the Pharisees answered Jesus’ question without hesitation?
2. How did ancient peoples understand the relative greatness of a great man in comparison with his son? Who were some of the illustrious descendants of David? Why were none of them recognized as the Christ? What does “Christ” mean? Why was it such a shock for Jesus to point out that David calls the Christ “lord”? As you study Psalm 110, do you think that Jesus’ exegesis is a self-evident observation from the text? Why or why not?
3. What made David great? How did David’s greatness shape the expectations of the Jewish people for David’s son? What differences from David might make David’s son greater than David himself? How does Jesus’ question, “Whose son is he?” open the possibility of understanding the Christ as the son of someone other than David? Why is it important to believe that Jesus is both the son of David as well as the Son of God?
4. Do you think that modern people find this debate as important as the Jews of Jesus day did? Why or why not? What are the challenges of connecting the modern mind to questions of Old Testament promises and prophecies, types and shadows, covenants and ceremonies? Does this interaction help to show us why Jesus considers the Old Testament important? How can you grow in your faith by grappling with Jesus as David’s greater Son?
