Mark 12:35

The Question about the Messiah

35 So Jesus asked this question as He taught in the temple complex, "How can the scribes say that the Messiah is the Son of David?

Mark 12:35 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 12:35

And Jesus answered and said
To the Pharisees that were gathered together about him; (See Gill on Matthew 22:41).

While he taught in the temple;
Whilst he was in the temple, and as he was teaching the people there; among other things in his doctrine, he put this question,

how say the Scribes, that Christ is the son of David?
Not that Christ meant to deny or invalidate the truth of this; for the Messiah was certainly to be the son of David, and was; but he wanted to know, inasmuch as they commonly said, and instructed the people to believe, and it was in general believed by them, that he was David's son, how they could reconcile this to his being the Lord of David: or how they could give out, that he was only and merely the Son of David, when he was David's Lord. Matthew relates the matter thus; that Christ first put these questions to them, what they thought of the Messiah, and whose son he was; and that they immediately replied, he was the son of David: wherefore this question seems to be put upon that, with another along with it,

how then doth David in spirit call him Lord?
(See Gill on Matthew 22:42), (See Gill on Matthew 22:43).

Mark 12:35 In-Context

33 And to love Him with all your heart, with all your understanding, and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself, is far more [important] than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices."

34 When Jesus saw that he answered intelligently, He said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And no one dared to question Him any longer.

35 So Jesus asked this question as He taught in the temple complex, "How can the scribes say that the Messiah is the Son of David?

36 David himself says by the Holy Spirit: The Lord declared to my Lord, 'Sit at My right hand until I put Your enemies under Your feet.'

37 David himself calls Him 'Lord'; how then can the Messiah be his Son?" And the large crowd was listening to Him with delight.