Jesus, Muhammad, and the Davidic Messiah

In Matthew 22, verse 45, Jesus posed a question to the Pharisees. How can the Messiah be considered David's descendant if David himself refers to him as 'Lord'?

The following is an excerpt from Willmington's Bible Handbook notes on Matthew 22, verses 42 to 45:

Jesus now asked a question of the Pharisees: They accepted Psalm 110 as a prediction of the Messiah, yet they considered that he would be a merely human descendant of David. If that were the case, asked Jesus, why did David refer to him as "Lord"? Both the deity and humanity of the Messiah are taught clearly in the Old Testament but the leaders could not see it. Jesus had finally silenced his critics once and for all.

Some Islamic scholars believe that, although Jesus was considered a messiah, he never publicly claimed to be the Davidic messiah whom the Jews were expecting. Moreover, it appears that in Matthew 22, verses 42 to 45, Jesus did not emphasize his divinity as most Christian commentators claim, but rather rejected the notion that the Messiah would be a descendant of David.

Islamic scholars argue that Jesus did not refer to himself but to someone other than him, that is Prophet Muhammad who was seated at the right hand of God. Similarly, while Jesus understood himself to be a prophet, he never publicly claimed to be the prophet mentioned in Deuteronomy 18, verse 18. How is this argument explained?

Islamic scholars present a nuanced interpretation of Jesus' role as the Messiah and his relationship to the prophecies in the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament. Their arguments often center around specific biblical passages and the broader theological context within Islam.

Jesus as the Messiah and the Davidic Lineage

In Islam, Jesus (Isa) is recognized as the Messiah (Al-Masih), but this title does not carry the same connotations as it does in Christian theology. The Quran refers to Jesus as the Messiah eleven times, emphasizing his role as a prophet and messenger of God rather than a divine figure or a political savior from the line of David. This interpretation aligns with the Islamic view that Jesus did not claim divinity or a unique messianic kingship in the way that some Jewish and Christian traditions suggest.

Interpretation of Matthew 22, verses 42 to 45

In Matthew 22, verses 42 to 45, Jesus questions the Pharisees about the Messiah's lineage, asking why David calls the Messiah "Lord" if the Messiah is his son. Some Islamic scholars have interpreted this passage as indicating that Jesus was referring to someone other than himself. Jesus was distancing himself from the traditional Jewish expectation of a Davidic Messiah. They contend that Jesus denied the future Messiah's lineage from David and instead highlighted an inconsistent interpretation of messianic prophecy by the scribes.

Some Islamic scholars extend this interpretation to suggest that Jesus was alluding to another figure who would fulfill the messianic expectations more completely. They propose that this messianic figure is Prophet Muhammad, who is considered the Seal of the Prophets in Islam and is believed to have brought the final and complete revelation from God. This perspective is supported by the belief that Jesus foretold the coming of Muhammad, aligning with the Islamic view that all prophets, including Jesus, pointed towards the final messenger.

Jesus and Deuteronomy 18, verse 18

Regarding Deuteronomy 18, verse 18, which speaks of a prophet like Moses, Islamic scholars argue that Jesus did not publicly claim to be this prophet. Instead, they believe that this prophecy refers to Muhammad, who, like Moses, brought a comprehensive law and led a community of believers. This interpretation is consistent with the Islamic view that Muhammad fulfills the role of the final prophet, bringing the last and complete message from God.

Conclusion

Islamic scholars argue that Jesus, although being a messiah like other messiahs before him, did not claim to be the Davidic Messiah in the traditional Jewish sense and that he did not see himself as the prophet mentioned in Deuteronomy 18, verse 18. Instead, they believe that these roles were fulfilled by Prophet Muhammad. This interpretation is rooted in a broader theological framework that sees Jesus as a significant prophet and messenger who foretold the coming of Muhammad, the final prophet.

What is the Jewish interpretation of the phrase "my lord" in Psalms 110? Does it refer to the Messiah, Son of David?

The interpretation of Psalms 110, particularly the phrase "my lord" found in verse 1, varies significantly within Jewish scholarship and does not uniformly refer to the Messiah, Son of David.

This psalm is one of the most debated texts when it comes to its application and implications in Jewish thought. Here's a detailed look into the interpretation:

The verse in question, Psalms 110, verse 1, reads:

"The LORD says to my lord: 'Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.'"

The key terms here are:

1. The LORD (YHWH): This is the tetragrammaton, representing the ineffable name of God in the Hebrew Bible.

2. my lord (ladoni): This is the term that causes most of the debate about the identity of the figure mentioned here.

Jewish Interpretations:

1. Not Necessarily Messianic:

In traditional Jewish interpretation, the phrase "my lord" is not automatically associated with a messianic figure. Rashi, the medieval French rabbi and commentator, interprets "my lord" as referring to Abraham, seeing the psalm as a dialog between God and David about Abraham. According to Rashi, David is calling Abraham "my lord" out of respect and reverence.

Other interpretations might consider "my lord" as referring to a contemporary king or leader, possibly even a high priest, rather than a messianic or eschatological figure.

2. Literal and Figurative Interpretations:

Some Jewish commentators might interpret the psalm figuratively, seeing "my lord" as an archetype for righteous leadership without necessarily pinpointing it as the Messiah.

The Talmud (Nedarim 32b) suggests that David is speaking to himself, using "my lord" in a poetic manner to express humility and devotion to God’s will, which can be a common technique in Hebrew poetry.

Conclusion:

In Judaism, Psalms 110, verse 1, and the phrase "my lord" is generally not interpreted as a direct reference to the Messiah, Son of David. More often, it is seen as referring to either a historical figure like Abraham or David himself, or used in a metaphorical sense for godly leadership.

The messianic interpretation is more typical of Christian exegesis, where this psalm is often cited in the New Testament as evidence of Jesus’ divine appointment and his role as the Messiah. In Jewish thought, such an interpretation is less emphasized, focusing instead on diverse and historically contextual readings.

Does the Quran mention Muhammad as the Messiah whom the Jews await?

In the Quran, Muhammad is not explicitly referred to as the Messiah whom the Jews await. However, there is an indirect mention in Surah 2, verse 89, that can be interpreted in this context.

Surah 2, verse 89, states, "And when there came to them a Book from Allah confirming that which was with them - although before they used to pray for victory against those who disbelieved - but [then] when there came to them that which they recognized, they disbelieved in it; so the curse of Allah will be upon the disbelievers."

This verse is believed by some scholars and interpreters to refer to a prophecy mentioned in Jewish scriptures about a future prophet who would come after Moses. According to this interpretation, the Jews were awaiting this promised prophet or Messiah.

Muslims believe that Muhammad is the final prophet sent by Allah and consider him as fulfilling various prophecies mentioned in previous religious texts. Therefore, some Muslims interpret Surah 2, verse 89, as indirectly referring to Muhammad as the awaited Messiah.

It's important to note that interpretations of religious texts can vary among different scholars and individuals. While some may see a connection between Muhammad and the awaited Messiah based on this verse, others may have different interpretations or understandings.