What is the context?
Jesus now asks the assembled Pharisees a question: whose son is the Christ? They answer that He is David's son. Matthew has introduced Jesus as the Son of David from the beginning of the Gospel, so the question takes up a central part of His identity.
Jesus points to Psalm 110:1, where David speaks by the Spirit and calls the one seated at God's right hand his Lord. How can the Messiah be David's descendant and also the one David acknowledges above himself? The question asks them to think further about who the promised King is.
The leaders cannot answer, and their questioning comes to an end. The passage leads into Jesus' warning to the crowds and disciples about the scribes and Pharisees in chapter 23. The One they have been testing has exposed the limits of their answer about the Messiah.
How is this passage commonly understood?
Christians commonly understand the question to show that the Messiah is greater than an ordinary descendant of David: He is also David's Lord. Wesley on 22:43–44 emphasizes His heavenly authority, and the US Catholic bishops' note on 22:45 explains that His greater identity does not cancel His place in David's family.
Where does this fit in God's plan?
God's promise to establish David's house and throne in 2 Samuel 7:12–16 provides the background. Luke 1:30–33 identifies Jesus as the Son who receives David's throne and reigns forever. The promised descendant belongs within a purpose that reaches beyond David's own lifetime.
The New Testament directly applies Psalm 110 to Jesus after His resurrection. In Acts 2:29–36, Peter connects David's promise, Jesus' resurrection, His exaltation, and the gift of the Spirit. Hebrews 1:1–13 likewise places the Son at God's right hand after His saving work and quotes the same psalm. The question in the temple points toward the risen and exalted King through whom God carries out His purpose.
What is our position?
We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.