Why Is Jesus Called the Son of David?
To understand why Jesus is called the Son of David, we must begin with the covenant God made with David, Israel’s greatest king. After David’s rise to the throne and his desire to build a house for God, God responds through the prophet Nathan with a promise that shapes the rest of biblical history:
“When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son… And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.” (2 Samuel 7:12-16)
This is called the Davidic Covenant and it lays out some key elements: the promise of a royal descendant from David’s line, the establishment of an everlasting kingdom, and a unique father-son relationship between God and the king. While Solomon, David’s immediate son, fulfills aspects of this promise by building the temple, the language of an eternal throne and kingdom points beyond any earthly monarch.
The Psalms and the Prophets repeatedly return to this promise, nurturing Israel’s hope for a future king from David’s line who would rule with justice, bring peace, and restore the fortunes of God’s people. Psalm 89, for example, celebrates God’s covenant with David: “I will not violate my covenant or alter the word that went forth from my lips. Once for all I have sworn by my holiness; I will not lie to David. His offspring shall endure forever, his throne as long as the sun before me” (Psalm 89:34-36).
The prophets amplify this hope. Isaiah prophesies, “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit… And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him” (Isaiah 11:1-2). Jeremiah declares, “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land” (Jeremiah 23:5).
Genealogy - Why is Jesus a Descendant of David?
The New Testament opens with a detailed and important genealogy. Matthew’s Gospel begins, “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham” (Matthew 1:1). Matthew traces Jesus’ lineage through David and Solomon, establishing Jesus’ legal right to the throne of David. Luke’s genealogy, while differing in some details, also affirms Jesus’ descent from David (Luke 3:23-38).
The connection is crucial for Jesus’ messianic proof. The Messiah had to be a descendant of David, as the prophets had foretold, and the repeated references to Jesus as “the son of David” in the Gospels are such claims to his identity as the Messiah.
The Son of David in the Gospels
Throughout the Gospels, the title “Son of David” is used by those who recognize Jesus’ authority and seek his help. Blind men cry out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” (Matthew 9:27; 20:30). A Canaanite woman pleads, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon” (Matthew 15:22). The crowds who witness Jesus’ miracles and teaching ask, “Can this be the Son of David?” (Matthew 12:23).
When Jesus enters Jerusalem, the crowds greet him with messianic acclamations: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Matthew 21:9). This public recognition of Jesus as the Son of David is a direct acknowledgment of his messianic role and a fulfillment of Zechariah’s prophecy: “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9).
But religious leaders are threatened by this rejoicing of Jesus. They understand the implications: to call Jesus the Son of David is to declare him the Messiah, the rightful king of Israel. Their opposition intensifies as Jesus’ popularity grows and as he challenges their authority.
Jesus’ Question about David’s Son
Jesus himself raises the question of what it means to be the Son of David. In Matthew 22:41-46, Jesus asks the Pharisees, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” They reply, “The son of David.” Jesus then quotes Psalm 110:1: “The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet.’” He asks, “If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?”
Jesus’ question exposes a deeper truth: the Messiah is not just a physical descendant of David but is David’s Lord. The Messiah’s identity transcends human lineage; he is both son and sovereign, revealing the dual nature of the Messiah–fully human, descended from David, yet fully divine, worthy of David’s worship.
Importance of the Title “Son of David”
The title “Son of David” affirms Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s covenant promises. God’s faithfulness to David is realized in Jesus, whose kingdom is everlasting and whose reign is marked by justice and righteousness.
The title also connects Jesus to the hopes and expectations of Israel. The people longed for a deliverer and redeemer who would restore the fortunes of Israel, defeat their enemies, and establish God’s rule. Jesus fulfills these hopes, though not always in the ways expected. His kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36), and his plan is better than our own.
“Son of David” underscores the humanity of Jesus. He enters into the story of Israel, shares in its history, and identifies with its people. He is the true heir to David’s throne, yet his reign extends beyond Israel to encompass all nations.
Finally, this title points to Jesus’ role as the merciful and compassionate king. Those who cry out to the Son of David do so in faith, seeking healing and deliverance. Jesus responds with compassion and the truest love, embodying the shepherd-king foretold by the prophets (Ezekiel 34:23-24).
The Greater Son of David
While Jesus fulfills the role of Davidic king, he also surpasses it. The New Testament writers emphasize that Jesus’ reign is not limited to an earthly throne but is cosmic and eternal. Paul writes, “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel” (2 Timothy 2:8). The resurrection is the ultimate vindication of Jesus’ claim to be the Son of David and the inauguration of his everlasting kingdom.
In the Book of Revelation, Jesus declares, “I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star” (Revelation 22:16). He is both the source and the fulfillment of the Davidic line, the one in whom all God’s promises find their “Yes” (2 Corinthians 1:20).
Conclusion - Why is Jesus Called the Son of David?
Jesus is called the Son of David because he is the promised Messiah, the fulfillment of God’s covenant with David, and the true king who brings salvation to Israel and the world. The title affirms his legitimate claim to the throne, connects him to the hopes of God’s people, and reveals his identity as both human and divine. Yet, Jesus is more than a political or national deliverer; he is David’s Lord, the Savior who conquers sin and death, and the King whose reign is everlasting. In calling Jesus the Son of David, the New Testament proclaims the faithfulness of God, the fulfillment of prophecy, and the arrival of the kingdom of God in the person of Jesus Christ. As the crowds once cried, so the church continues to rejoice: “Hosanna to the Son of David!” (Matthew 21:9).