Luke 20:44
New International Version
David calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?”

New Living Translation
Since David called the Messiah ‘Lord,’ how can the Messiah be his son?”

English Standard Version
David thus calls him Lord, so how is he his son?”

Berean Standard Bible
Thus David calls Him ‘Lord.’ So how can He be David’s son?”

Berean Literal Bible
David therefore calls Him ‘Lord,’ and how is He his son?”

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

New King James Version
Therefore David calls Him ‘Lord’; how is He then his Son?”

New American Standard Bible
Therefore David calls Him ‘Lord,’ and so how is He his son?”

NASB 1995
“Therefore David calls Him ‘Lord,’ and how is He his son?”

NASB 1977
“David therefore calls Him ‘Lord,’ and how is He his son?”

Legacy Standard Bible
Therefore David calls Him ‘Lord,’ so how is He his son?”

Amplified Bible
So David calls Him (the Son) ‘Lord,’ and how then is He David’s son?”

Berean Annotated Bible
Thus David (beloved) calls Him ‘Lord {Kyrion}. So how can He be David’s son?

Christian Standard Bible
David calls him ‘Lord.’ How, then, can the Messiah be his son? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
David calls Him ‘Lord; how then can the Messiah be his Son?”

American Standard Version
David therefore calleth him Lord, and how is he his son?

Contemporary English Version
David spoke of the Messiah as his Lord, so how can the Messiah be his son?"

English Revised Version
David therefore calleth him Lord, and how is he his son?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
David calls him Lord. So how can he be his son?"

Good News Translation
David called him 'Lord'; how, then, can the Messiah be David's descendant?"

International Standard Version
So David calls him 'Lord.' Then how can he be his son?"

NET Bible
If David then calls him 'Lord,' how can he be his son?"

New Heart English Bible
"David therefore calls him Lord, so how is he his son?"

Webster's Bible Translation
David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his son?

Weymouth New Testament
"David himself therefore calls Him Lord, and how can He be his son?"
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
Thus David calls Him ‘Lord.’ So how can He be David’s son?”

World English Bible
“David therefore calls him Lord, so how is he his son?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
David, then, calls Him Lord, and how is He his son?”

Berean Literal Bible
David therefore calls Him ‘Lord,’ and how is He his son?”

Young's Literal Translation
David, then, doth call him lord, and how is he his son?'

Smith's Literal Translation
David therefore calls him Lord, and how is be his son?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
David then calleth him Lord: and how is he his son?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, David calls him Lord. So how can he be his son?”

New American Bible
Now if David calls him ‘lord,’ how can he be his son?”

New Revised Standard Version
David thus calls him Lord; so how can he be his son?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
If, therefore David calls him my Lord, how then can he be his son?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
If, therefore, David called him, 'my Lord', how is he his son?”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
David, therefore, calls him Lord; and how is he his son?

Godbey New Testament
Therefore David calls Him Lord, and how is He his son?

Haweis New Testament
David then calleth him Lord, and how then is he his son?

Mace New Testament
if then David stiles the Messiah his Lord, how can he be descended from David?

Weymouth New Testament
"David himself therefore calls Him Lord, and how can He be his son?"

Worrell New Testament
David, therefore, calls Him Lord; and how is He his Son?"

Worsley New Testament
David therefore calleth Him Lord, and how is He then his son?

Additional Translations ...



Context
Whose Son is the Christ?
43until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.” ’ 44Thus David calls Him ‘Lord.’ So how can He be David’s son?” 45In the hearing of all the people, Jesus said to His disciples,…

Cross References
Thus David calls Him ‘Lord.’

Psalm 110:1
A Psalm of David. The LORD said to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”

Acts 2:34-35
For David did not ascend into heaven, but he himself says: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand / until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”’

Hebrews 1:13
Yet to which of the angels did God ever say: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet”?
So how can He be David’s son?”

Matthew 22:45
So if David calls Him ‘Lord,’ how can He be David’s son?”

Mark 12:37
David himself calls Him ‘Lord.’ So how can He be David’s son?” And the large crowd listened to Him with delight.

2 Samuel 7:12-13
And when your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. / He will build a house for My Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
Matthew 22:44
‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand until I put Your enemies under Your feet.”’

Mark 12:36
Speaking by the Holy Spirit, David himself declared: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand until I put Your enemies under Your feet.”’

1 Corinthians 15:25
For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet.

Ephesians 1:20-22
which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, / far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. / And God put everything under His feet and made Him head over everything for the church,

Colossians 3:1
Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

Hebrews 10:12-13
But when this Priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God. / Since that time, He waits for His enemies to be made a footstool for His feet,

Revelation 3:21
To the one who overcomes, I will grant the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

Romans 8:34
Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God—and He is interceding for us.

1 Peter 3:22
who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to Him.

Matthew 26:64
“You have said it yourself,” Jesus answered. “But I say to all of you, from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”


Treasury of Scripture

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

how.

Luke 1:31-35
And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS…

Luke 2:11
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

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Luke 20
1. Jesus confirms his authority by a question of John's baptism.
9. The parable of the vineyard.
19. Of giving tribute to Caesar.
27. He instructs the Sadducees, who denied the resurrection.
41. How Jesus is the Son of David.
45. He warns his disciples to beware of the scribes.












Thus David calls Him ‘Lord.’

David spoke of the coming Messiah as his Lord, placing Him above Israel’s greatest king. Though the Messiah would come through David’s royal line, He would also possess an authority David himself recognized.

Psa 110:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD said to my Lord:…
Act 2:34-35 For David did not ascend into heaven, but he himself says:…
Heb 1:13 Yet to which of the angels did God ever say:…

So how can He be David’s son?”

Jesus exposed the inadequacy of viewing the Messiah as only a human descendant of David or a political deliverer. He is truly David’s son according to His human lineage, yet He is also David’s Lord, the eternal Son who took on flesh.

Mat 22:45 So if David calls Him ‘Lord,’ how can He be David’s son?”
Mrk 12:37 David himself calls Him ‘Lord.’ So how can He be David’s son…
2Sa 7:12-13 And when your days are fulfilled and you rest…

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The second king of Israel, a man after God's own heart, and the author of many Psalms. He is a central figure in Jewish history and is revered as a model king.

2. Jesus
The central figure of the New Testament, believed by Christians to be the Messiah and the Son of God. In this passage, He is teaching in the temple courts.

3. Pharisees and Sadducees
Religious leaders of the time who often challenged Jesus' teachings. They were present during this discourse and were questioning Jesus' authority.

4. Temple in Jerusalem
The holy place where Jesus was teaching. It was the center of Jewish worship and a place of significant religious activity.

5. Psalm 110
A Psalm of David, which Jesus references to make His point about the Messiah's identity.
Teaching Points
Understanding Jesus' Dual Nature
Jesus is both fully human and fully divine. This passage challenges us to recognize His unique identity as both the Son of David and the Son of God.

The Authority of Scripture
Jesus uses Scripture to reveal truth and challenge misconceptions. We should also rely on Scripture as our ultimate authority in understanding God's will.

The Importance of Humility
The religious leaders' failure to recognize Jesus' true identity serves as a warning against pride and self-righteousness. We must approach God with humility and openness to His revelation.

Messianic Prophecies Fulfilled
Jesus' reference to Psalm 110 highlights the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies in His life and ministry, affirming the reliability of God's promises.

Engaging with Skeptics
Jesus' method of engaging with the religious leaders provides a model for how we can thoughtfully and respectfully engage with those who question our faith.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Luke 20:44?

2. How does Luke 20:44 affirm Jesus' divine authority and identity as Lord?

3. Why is it significant David calls the Messiah "Lord" in Luke 20:44?

4. How does Psalm 110:1 connect with Jesus' teaching in Luke 20:44?

5. How can recognizing Jesus as Lord influence our daily decision-making?

6. What steps can you take to deepen your understanding of Jesus' lordship?

7. How can David call his descendant "Lord" in Luke 20:44?

8. What does Luke 20:44 reveal about Jesus' divine nature?

9. Why is the relationship between David and the Messiah significant in Luke 20:44?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Luke 20?


Verse 44. - David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his Son? That Jesus was the acknowledged descendant of David during his earthly ministry, is indisputable; we need but refer to the cries of the populace on Palm Sunday, the words of the woman of Canaan, of blind Bartimaeus, and others. History bears its witness to the same fact. The Emperor Domitian, it is well known, summoned the kinsmen of Jesus, the sons of Jude, his so-called brother, to Rome as "the sons of David,"

Jesus quotes Psalm 110 to show that the Messiah is greater than David. David’s own words identify the Coming One as “Lord,” placing Him on God’s throne. Yet Scripture also testifies that the Messiah is David’s offspring. In Jesus, these truths meet: He is truly David’s son through His human lineage and eternally David’s Lord by divine nature. Luke 20:44 challenges every reader to see the Messiah not merely as a human liberator but as God-incarnate King, worthy of absolute allegiance and worship.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
So if
οὖν (oun)
Conjunction
Strong's 3767: Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.

David
Δαυὶδ (Dauid)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1138: David, King of Israel. Of Hebrew origin; Dabid, the Israelite king.

calls
καλεῖ (kalei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2564: (a) I call, summon, invite, (b) I call, name. Akin to the base of keleuo; to 'call'.

Him
αὐτὸν (auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

Lord,
Κύριον (Kyrion)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.

how
πῶς (pōs)
Adverb
Strong's 4459: Adverb from the base of pou; an interrogative particle of manner; in what way?; also as exclamation, how much!

can He be
ἐστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

[David’s]
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

son?”
υἱός (huios)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5207: A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.


Additonal Resources
Luke 20:44 Blue Letter Bible
Luke 20:44 Bible Gateway
Luke 20:44 Bible.com

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NT Gospels: Luke 20:44 David therefore calls him Lord so how (Luke Lu Lk)

Luke 20:43
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