Attributed commentary excerpt
Barnes' Notes on Matthew 22:41
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Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · 19th-century historical commentary
Source: BibleWord.ai's local reference edition of this named work.
Jesus proposes a question concerning the Messiah - See also Mark 12:35-37; Luke 20:41-44. Matthew 22:41 While the Pharisees ... - Jesus, having confounded the great sects of the Jews, proceeds, in his turn, to propose to them a question for their solution. This was done, not for the purpose of vain parade and triumph, but: 1.To show them how ignorant they were of their prophecies. 2.To humble them in view of their ignorance. 3.To bring to their attention the true doctrine respecting the Messiah - his being possessed of a character superior to that of David, the most mighty king of Israel - being his Lord, at the same time that he was his descendant. Matthew 22:42 What think ye of Christ? - What are your views respecting the Messiah, or “the Christ,” especially respecting his “genealogy?” He did not ask them their mews respecting him in general, but only respecting his ancestry. The article should have been retained in the translation - the Christ or the Messiah. He did not ask them their opinion respecting himself, his person, and work, as would seem in our translation, but their views respecting the Messiah whom they expected. Whose son is he? - Whose “descendant?” See the notes at Matthew 1:1. The son of David - The descendant of David, according to the promise. Matthew 22:43 How then ... - How is this doctrine that he is “descended” from David consistent with what David says when he calls him “lord?” How can your opinion be reconciled with that? That declaration of David is recorded in Psalms 110:1. A “lord” or master is a superior. The word here does not necessarily imply divinity, but only superiority. David calls him his superior, his lord, his master, his lawgiver, and expresses his willingness to obey him. If the Messiah was to be merely a descendant of David, as other men descended from parents if he was to have a human nature only if he did not exist when David wrote - with what propriety could he, then, call him his lord? In spirit - By the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. As a prophet, Acts 2:30; Acts 1:16; 2 Samuel 23:2. Matthew 22:44 The Lord said ... - This is the language of David. “Yahweh said to “my” lord “the Messiah” - sit thou,” etc. This was a prediction respecting the exaltation of Christ. To be raised to the right hand of a king was significant of favor, trust, and power. See the notes at Matthew 20:21. This was done respecting Christ, Mark 16:19; Acts 7:55; Romans 8:34; Ephesians 1:20; Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 8:1; Hebrews 10:12. “Thine enemies thy footstool.” A footstool is that which is under the feet when we are sitting implying that we have it under subjection, or at our control. So, Christ shall put all enemies under his feet - all his spiritual foes - all that rise up against him, Psalms 2:9, Psalms 2:12; Hebrews 10:13; 1 Corinthians 15:25. Matthew 22:45 If David ... - If he was then David’s lord if he was his superior - if he had an existence at that time how could he be descended from him? They could not answer him. Nor is there any way of answering the question but by the admission that the Messiah was divine as well as human; that he had an existence at the time of David, and was his lord and master, his God I and king, and that as man he was descended from him. Remarks On Matthew 22:0 1. Multitudes of people, who are invited to be saved, reject the gospel and perish in their sins, Matthew 22:3. 2. If they perish, they only will be to blame. The offer was freely made, the salvation was provided, and the…
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