Matthew 22:42

saying, What think ye of Christ? Whose son is He? They say unto Him, The Son of David.

The attack of the Pharisees had failed; their very spokesman had been obliged to admit the truth of Christ's answer, Mark 12:32. But now Christ turns to the attack by proposing a question which would impale His adversaries on the horns of a real dilemma. His question concerns the sonship of Christ, of the Messiah; from what family is He to spring? It is the most momentous subject of investigation before the world, not only at the time of Christ, but at all times. According to the way in which men decide in their estimate of Christ will their fate be decided. A mere head knowledge and lip confession, such as was made here by the Pharisees, who could answer in a mechanical manner glibly enough, is not sufficient for the true believer, as the Lord proceeds to point out in this instance.