35And Jesus, answering, said as he was teaching in the temple courts, "How do the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David? [12:36] David himself said by the Holy Spirit, 'The Lord said to my Lord: Sit at my right hand until I place your enemies beneath your feet.' [12:37] David himself calls him Lord — so how is he his son?" And the large crowd was listening to him with delight.
MRK 12:35-37
Whose Son Is the Christ?
In the world it was spoken into
In the temple courts, Jesus engages in a public debate with scribes, a common practice in 1st-century Jewish settings where rabbinic teachers would discuss interpretations of Scripture. The question of the Messiah’s lineage was central to Jewish expectations, as many believed the Messiah would be a descendant of David, fulfilling prophetic promises (e.g., 2 Samuel 7:12-16). Jesus quotes Psalm 110:1, a text widely understood as Messianic, to challenge the scribes’ assumption that the Messiah is merely David’s son. By highlighting David’s acknowledgment of the Messiah as 'Lord,' Jesus shifts the focus from a purely genealogical understanding to a theological one, emphasizing the Messiah’s divine authority. The crowd’s positive reaction suggests they recognized the weight of this argument, which likely resonated with their Messianic hopes while subverting traditional expectations. This exchange reflects the tension between established religious authority and Jesus’ reinterpretation of Scripture, a recurring theme in his ministry.
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How other translations render this
MRK 12:35
- KJV
- And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the son of David?
- BSB
- While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, He asked, “How can the scribes say that the Christ is the Son of David?
- Koinōnos
- And Jesus, answering, said as he was teaching in the temple courts, "How do the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David?
MRK 12:36
- KJV
- For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.
- BSB
- 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.”’
- Koinōnos
- David himself said by the Holy Spirit, 'The Lord said to my Lord: Sit at my right hand until I place your enemies beneath your feet.
MRK 12:37
- KJV
- David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he then his son? And the common people heard him gladly.
- BSB
- David himself calls Him ‘Lord.’ So how can He be Davidʼs son?” And the large crowd listened to Him with delight.
- Koinōnos
- David himself calls him Lord — so how is he his son?" And the large crowd was listening to him with delight.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
MRK 12:35
- answering:The word translated 'answering' here implies a response that is not just a simple reply, but often a considered judgment or a counter-argument, especially in a debate or inquiry.
- teaching:The term translated 'teaching' refers to a systematic instruction or explanation, often with the authority of a master imparting knowledge to disciples, rather than just casual information sharing.
MRK 12:36
- the:The word translated 'the' here, when referring to 'Spirit,' carries the sense of a divine, animating force or presence, often associated with prophetic inspiration or divine power.
MRK 12:37
- the:The word translated 'the' here, when paired with 'crowd,' emphasizes the large number and collective nature of the people, highlighting their widespread agreement or attention.