What Does Matthew 22:43 Mean in the King James?
He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying,
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
David’s “spirit” is breath, so the question turns on the king’s own voice calling another “Lord”.
THE MEANING
The question reaches you: if the anointed one is David’s son, why does David’s breath call him Lord? The verse holds descent and authority together, then turns your attention to the words that follow.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the assumption that being David’s descendant must make the anointed one subordinate to David; lineage does not settle rank.
THE ROOT
πνεύματι
pneumati
GROWS FROM
πνέω
pneō
To breathe or blow; breath in motion.
The Greek word translated spirit belongs to the family of breathing and blowing. David’s words can be heard as spoken in breath: the claim arrives as living utterance, not an abstract label.
ALSO GROWS
pneō: The verb for breathing or blowing.
πνέω
It brings the root’s physical sense into view beneath the translated word spirit.
pnoē: Breath, a blast of air.
πνοή
It shows that this word family holds breath and moving air together.
κύριον
kyrion
GROWS FROM
κυρι- (kyri-, the stem of κύριος)
Authority or mastery; one who holds standing as lord.
“Lord” in this verse is kyrion. The Greek title carries the sense of authority, not only respectful address. David’s voice assigns that standing to the one whose lineage is being questioned.
ALSO GROWS
kyriotēs: Lordship, rule, or dominion.
κυριότης
It makes the authority carried by Lord explicit.
kyrieuō: To rule over or hold mastery.
κυριεύω
It shows that the title points to a relationship of authority.
καλεῖ
kalei
GROWS FROM
καλέω
kaleō
To call, summon, or name.
“call” in this verse is kalei. The verse puts David’s act of naming at the center: he does not only think of the figure as Lord; he calls him Lord. The title is spoken aloud, carried by breath.
ALSO GROWS
klēsis: A calling, summons, or invitation.
κλῆσις
It shows the root can name an act that draws someone into a relation.
epikaleō: To call upon or invoke.
ἐπικαλέω
It extends the act of calling into direct address.
THE PATTERN
Breath carries speech through a human voice, and that speech can name authority beyond the speaker.
The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.THE THREAD
A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.The Greek text of this psalm uses κύριος (kyrios, lord or master) for both titles, the same word Matthew uses when describing David’s address in verse 43. Its Hebrew distinguishes יְהוָה (YHWH, the LORD) from אֲדֹנִי (adoni, my lord), holding a distinction inside the repeated English word Lord.
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