In the course of his teaching he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, 39 seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets. 40 They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext, recite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation.” 41 He sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. 43 Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, “Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. 44 For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.” While teaching in the temple area, Jesus has answered questions from religious leaders and has shown the people the deeper meaning of God’s law. Now He turns to a serious warn...
As Jesus was teaching in the temple area he said, “How do the scribes claim that the Messiah is the son of David? 36 David himself, inspired by the holy Spirit, said: ‘The Lord said to my lord, “Sit at my right hand until I place your enemies under your feet.”’ 37 David himself calls him ‘lord’; so how is he his son?” [The] great crowd heard this with delight. After the earlier challenges in the temple, Jesus now takes the initiative. Others had questioned Him about His authority, taxes, the resurrection, and the greatest commandment. Now He asks a question that leads the people deeper into the identity of the Messiah. The scribes, who were teachers and interpreters of the Law, taught that the Messiah would be the son of David (v. 35). God had promised David that his royal line would endure, and that one of his descendants would have a kingdom established by God (2 Sam. 7:12-14). Matthew begins his Gospel by identifying Jesus as “ the son of David, the son of Abraham ” (Mt. 1:1), and P...