Mark 12:36 Meaning and Explanation
“For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jesus quotes Psalm 110: David himself said by the Holy Ghost, "The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool."
What Does Mark 12:36 Mean?
Jesus cites Psalm 110:1 and says that David spoke it "by the Holy Ghost." In the psalm David hears the LORD address someone David himself calls "my Lord," seating him at his right hand until every enemy is subdued. It became the verse most often quoted of Jesus in the New Testament (Acts 2:34-35; Hebrews 1:13).
The right hand is the place of highest honor and shared rule. David, Israel's greatest king, looks ahead and sees one greater than himself enthroned beside God. Jesus rests his whole question on a single phrase of the psalm -- "my Lord" -- trusting Scripture down to its smallest turns. Within weeks, Peter would preach this very verse over the news of the resurrection.
Mark 12:36 in the Original Language
kyrios (κύριος), 'Lord' -- master, sovereign; in this psalm, the title of the king exalted to God's right hand.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mark 12:36
What does Mark 12:36 mean?
Jesus quotes Psalm 110: David himself said by the Holy Ghost, "The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool."