Bible Commentary

Mark 12:36

The Pulpit Commentary on Mark 12:36

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

The Lord said unto my Lord. From this verse (.) our Lord shows that the Messiah, such as he was, was not a mere man, as the Pharisees thought, but that he was God, and therefore David's Lord. The meaning, therefore, is this, "The Lord God said to my Lord," that is, Christ, "Sit thou at my right hand," that is, when, after his cross, his death, and his resurrection, he will exalt him far above all principality and power, and place him next to him in heaven, that he may reign with supreme happiness and power and glory over all creatures. These words show that this is a Divine decree, fixed and irrevocable. Till I make thine enemies thy footstool ( ὑποπόδιον τῶν ποδῶν σου); literally, the footstool of thy feet; that is, reign with me in glory until the day of judgment, when I will make the wicked, all opposing powers, subject to thee. The word "till" does not imply that Christ will then cease to reign. "Of his kingdom there shall be no end." But he will then formally deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father, only that he may receive it again as the second Person of the Godhead.

These verses are a condensation of the woes recorded at length by St. Matthew (.). And he said unto them in his doctrine ( ἐν τῇ διδαχῇ αὑτοῦ)—literally, in his teaching—Beware of the scribes which desire ( τῶν θελόντων) to walk in long robes ( ἐν στολαῖς). The στόλη was a rich robe which reached down to the ankles, and was adorned with fringes. The scribes took pleasure in this kind of display. The salient points in their character were ostentation, avarice, and religious hypocrisy.

Recommended reading

More for Mark 12:36

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

The Pulpit Commentary on Mark 12:1-44Mark 12:1-44 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITIONMatthew Henry on Mark 12:35-40Mark 12:35-40 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryWhen we attend to what the Scriptures declare, as to the person and offices of Christ, we shall be led to confess him as our Lord and God; to obey him as our exalted Redeemer. If the common people hear these things glad…Christ the Son and Lord of DavidMark 12:35-40 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleCHRIST THE SON AND LORD OF DAVID. Here, I. Christ shows the people how weak and defective the scribes were in their preaching, and how unable to solve the difficulties that occurred in the scriptures of the Old Testamen…The Pulpit Commentary on Mark 12:35-37Mark 12:35-37 · The Pulpit CommentaryDavid's Son. I. David's prophetic spirit. "He was moved by the spirit of truth when he foretold that his son would rule over all, and when he owned him as Lord." The psalm had originally another bearing. But as all true…The Pulpit Commentary on Mark 12:35-37Mark 12:35-37 · The Pulpit CommentaryParallel passages: Matthew 22:41-46; Luke 20:41-44.— The counter-question of our Lord. I. QUESTION OF OUR LORD IN TURN. Our Lord had by this time been asked, and had triumphantly answered, the most perplexing, difficult…The Pulpit Commentary on Mark 12:35-40Mark 12:35-40 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe scribes. The profession of scribes, which had existed among the Jews ever since the Captivity, was in itself an honorable and useful profession. And there were members of this learned body who came into contact with…
commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Mark 12:1-44EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryMatthew Henry on Mark 12:35-40When we attend to what the Scriptures declare, as to the person and offices of Christ, we shall be led to confess him as our Lord and God; to obey him as our exalted Redeemer. If the common people hear these things glad…Matthew HenrycommentaryChrist the Son and Lord of DavidCHRIST THE SON AND LORD OF DAVID. Here, I. Christ shows the people how weak and defective the scribes were in their preaching, and how unable to solve the difficulties that occurred in the scriptures of the Old Testamen…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Mark 12:35-37David's Son. I. David's prophetic spirit. "He was moved by the spirit of truth when he foretold that his son would rule over all, and when he owned him as Lord." The psalm had originally another bearing. But as all true…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Mark 12:35-40The scribes. The profession of scribes, which had existed among the Jews ever since the Captivity, was in itself an honorable and useful profession. And there were members of this learned body who came into contact with…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Mark 12:35-37Great David's greater Son, I. UNSPIRITUAL INTERPRETERS OF SCRIPTURE ARE INVOLVED IN INCONSISTENCY AND SELF-CONTRADICTION, 1. In the present instance they proved to be so with respect to the most important truths. It is…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Mark 12:35-37Parallel passages: Matthew 22:41-46; Luke 20:41-44.— The counter-question of our Lord. I. QUESTION OF OUR LORD IN TURN. Our Lord had by this time been asked, and had triumphantly answered, the most perplexing, difficult…Joseph S. Exell and contributors