39 And certain of the scribes answering said, 'Teacher, thou didst say well;' 40 and no more durst they question him anything.

The Question about David's Son

41 And he said unto them, 'How do they say the Christ to be son of David, 42 and David himself saith in the Book of Psalms, The Lord said to my lord, Sit thou on my right hand, 43 till I shall make thine enemies thy footstool; 44 David, then, doth call him lord, and how is he his son?'

Jesus Denounces the Scribes

45 And, all the people hearing, he said to his disciples, 46 'Take heed of the scribes, who are wishing to walk in long robes, and are loving salutations in the markets, and first seats in the synagogues, and first couches in the suppers, 47 who devour the houses of the widows, and for a pretence make long prayers, these shall receive more abundant judgment.'

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 20:39-47

Commentary on Luke 20:39-47

(Read Luke 20:39-47)

The scribes commended the reply Christ made to the Sadducees about the resurrection, but they were silenced by a question concerning the Messiah. Christ, as God, was David's Lord; but Christ, as man, was David's son. The scribes would receive the severest judgement for defrauding the poor widows, and for their abuse of religion, particularly of prayer, which they used as a pretence for carrying on worldly and wicked plans. Dissembled piety is double sin. Then let us beg of God to keep us from pride, ambition, covetousness, and every evil thing; and to teach us to seek that honour which comes from him alone.