Luke 20:43
Till I make thine enemies thy footstool.
Original Language Analysis
ἕως
Till
G2193
ἕως
Till
Strong's:
G2193
Word #:
1 of 10
a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)
θῶ
I make
G5087
θῶ
I make
Strong's:
G5087
Word #:
3 of 10
to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a passive or horizontal posture, and thus different from g2476, which pr
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 10
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐχθρούς
enemies
G2190
ἐχθρούς
enemies
Strong's:
G2190
Word #:
5 of 10
hateful (passively, odious, or actively, hostile); usually as a noun, an adversary (especially satan)
ὑποπόδιον
G5286
ὑποπόδιον
Strong's:
G5286
Word #:
7 of 10
something under the feet, i.e., a foot-rest (figuratively)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 10
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
In Jesus's day, Rome seemed invincible—yet within decades, the gospel spread throughout the empire. Historical empires that opposed Christ (Rome, Nazi Germany, Soviet Communism) have all fallen, while His kingdom endures. The final fulfillment awaits Revelation 19-20's description of Christ's return and millennial reign.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Christ's patient waiting for enemies' defeat teach about God's timing and sovereignty?
- How should knowing all Christ's enemies (including death itself) will become His footstool affect your response to current opposition and suffering?
- Which enemies—personal, spiritual, or systemic—are you trusting Christ to ultimately defeat?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Till I make thine enemies thy footstool (ἕως ἂν θῶ τοὺς ἐχθρούς σου ὑποπόδιον τῶν ποδῶν σου, heōs an thō tous echthrous sou hypopodion tōn podōn sou)—This continues quoting Psalm 110:1. Heōs an (until) introduces temporal clause: Christ sits enthroned while enemies remain unconquered, but their subjugation is certain. Hypopodion (footstool) references ancient victory customs where conquering kings placed feet on defeated enemies' necks (Joshua 10:24), symbolizing total domination.
The Father (kyrios, LORD) will make (thō, aorist subjunctive of tithēmi) Christ's enemies His footstool—not Christ earning victory through struggle, but the Father granting it as coronation gift. Paul applies this to Christ's ultimate triumph: 'For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death' (1 Corinthians 15:25-26). Currently, Christ reigns; ultimately, all opposition will be publicly, permanently crushed.