What Does Luke 20:41 Mean in the King James?
And he said unto them, How say they that Christ is David’s son?
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
“Christ” names an anointing, while “David’s son” names a lineage, Jesus’ question asks whether the lineage can contain the title.
THE MEANING
The verse holds title and family line together: the Anointed One is named as David’s son. It asks whether ancestry alone can account for the full meaning of the title. The question stays open here, making lineage part of the identity without making it the whole of it.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
A lineage can tell the whole identity of its heir.
THE ROOT
Χριστός
Christos
GROWS FROM
χρι-
chri-
To anoint, rub with oil.
“Christ” in this verse is Christos. The title names someone as anointed; it is not a family name. The verse places that bestowed identity beside Davidic descent, leaving the relationship between title and lineage open for examination.
ALSO GROWS
chriō: To anoint, rub with oil.
χρίω
The verb reveals the action behind the title: Christ is the one marked by anointing.
chrisma: Anointing.
χρῖσμα
This noun keeps the title connected to an act and its result, rather than to ancestry alone.
דָּוִד
David
GROWS FROM
דוד
d-w-d
Beloved; the root also names a beloved one or kinsman.
David’s name carries the sense of “beloved” beneath its role as a royal lineage marker. The question joins that relational name to “the Anointed One,” making David’s identity part of the claim without reducing the title to descent.
ALSO GROWS
dod: Beloved one; also kinsman or uncle.
דּוֹד
This root sense brings a relational dimension into the name David.
dodim: Loves or caresses.
דּוֹדִים
The same root appears in language of affection, showing the beloved association carried by David’s name.
THE PATTERN
Davidic descent identifies the promised ruler’s line, while the titles around him carry a claim that lineage alone does not exhaust.
And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.THE THREAD
And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,The next verse sharpens the question: David himself calls this figure “my Lord.” Descent from David can be true, yet it does not exhaust the authority David’s own words place above him.
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