Jewish religious leaders, on the Sunday before Jesus' death, decided to launch what would become their last and greatest effort to entrap him. As the day progressed the chief priests, elders, Sadducees and Pharisees each failed to trip up Jesus and have him say something worthy of condemnation. It then came time for them to be asked a question to see how they would respond!
"While the Pharisees were assembled together, Jesus questioned them, saying, 'What do you think concerning the Christ? Whose Son is He?' They said to Him, "The Son of David."" (Matthew 22:41 - 42).
Note that Jesus first asked the Pharisees regarding whose son was the Christ without directly referencing himself. Their answer, that the Messiah was a human descendant of David (Isaiah 9:7, 11:1, Psalm 89:3 - 4), was known by most Jews. Jesus then presented his antagonists with a paradox that took them completely by surprise!
* The Puzzling Paradox *
"He (Jesus) said to them, "How then does David in spirit call Him Lord, saying, 'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet" ' "?
"Therefore, if David calls Him Lord, how is He his Son?" (Matthew 22:43 - 45).
The question so baffled the self-righteous leaders, who took great pride in their perceived understanding of Scripture, that they were speechless! The paradox they couldn't answer so shocked them that they decide to permanently stop their efforts to entrap Christ (Matthew 22:46).
* The Answer *
What is the clue that helps answer the paradox regarding how David's Lord is also his Son?
David's use of the phrase "The Lord said to my Lord" indicates that there are TWO divine Beings he is referencing. The first "Lord" is God the Father and the second is the Christ (Jesus) who, after his resurrection, sat at the right hand of power (Mark 16:19, Hebrews 1:13).
Jesus, as a member of the Godhead, was the Being who interacted with all the Old Testament patriarchs including David. He is the "my Lord" referenced in Matthew 22:44 which quotes Psalm 110:1. He is also the member of the Godhead who willingly chose to be miraculously born as a physical descendant of David in order to save humans from their sins.
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