Luke 20:44
David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his son?
Original Language Analysis
οὖν
therefore
G3767
οὖν
therefore
Strong's:
G3767
Word #:
2 of 10
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
κύριον
Lord
G2962
κύριον
Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
3 of 10
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 10
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καλεῖ
calleth
G2564
καλεῖ
calleth
Strong's:
G2564
Word #:
5 of 10
to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise)
καὶ
then
G2532
καὶ
then
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
6 of 10
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πῶς
how
G4459
πῶς
how
Strong's:
G4459
Word #:
7 of 10
an interrogative particle of manner; in what way? (sometimes the question is indirect, how?); also as exclamation, how much!
υἱός
son
G5207
υἱός
son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
8 of 10
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
Historical Context
No record exists of the scribes answering Jesus's question. Mark 12:37 notes 'the common people heard him gladly,' suggesting His argument resonated with ordinary listeners even if experts remained silent. This question became foundational for Christian theology: Christ's deity wasn't invented by later councils but was implicit in Jesus's own teaching and Old Testament prophecy.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the mystery of Christ being both David's son and David's Lord require faith to accept what logic alone can't fully explain?
- What other biblical paradoxes about Jesus (fully God/fully human, suffering servant/conquering king) require similar both/and rather than either/or thinking?
- How should Christ's identity as both human descendant and divine Lord shape your worship and obedience?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his son? (Δαυὶδ οὖν κύριον αὐτὸν καλεῖ, καὶ πῶς αὐτοῦ υἱός ἐστιν; Dauid oun kyrion auton kalei, kai pōs autou huios estin?)—Oun (therefore) draws the logical conclusion. Kalei (calls, names) in present tense emphasizes ongoing testimony: David continually addresses Messiah as kyrion (Lord). Pōs (how?) presents the paradox: fathers don't call sons 'Lord'—sons honor fathers (Exodus 20:12), not vice versa.
The only solution: Messiah transcends normal human categories. He is David's son by human descent (Romans 1:3), David's Lord by divine nature (Romans 1:4). The incarnation resolves the riddle: eternal Son of God assumes human nature through Davidic line. This question exposed inadequate Jewish Christology and anticipated early church's confession: 'Jesus Christ... was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power' (Romans 1:3-4). The scribes couldn't answer because their framework excluded divine Messiah.