Jesus: Son of David

In this 4-day series, we’re exploring four divine titles of Jesus. Today, we begin with a title that may seem minor compared to “Son of God” or “Son of Man”—Son of David. Although it appears only a handful of times in the New Testament, mostly in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, it carries deep theological and historical significance.

Matthew begins his Gospel with a bold statement: “Jesus the Messiah, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham.” Right from the start, he connects Jesus to King David, anchoring Him in Israel’s royal line. But how can Jesus be called the Son of David if He was born of a virgin and not biologically from Joseph? The answer lies in Matthew 1:20–25. Joseph, who is called a “son of David,” names and adopts Jesus, giving Him legal Davidic lineage. In Jewish tradition, adoption carried legal rights just as much as biological descent. So, Jesus is the Son of David by adoption, and the Son of God by conception.

Why does this matter?

The title “Son of David” connects Jesus to the covenant God made with David in 2 Samuel 7:10–16 that David’s throne would be established forever. After the kingdoms of Israel and Judah fell, the Jewish people longed for a Messiah, a new Davidic king who would rescue them from oppression and restore God’s kingdom. Prophets like Jeremiah and Ezekiel spoke of this coming King. Even during Jesus’ time, Jewish expectations were high for a Messiah who would overthrow Rome and bring national freedom.

But Jesus defied those expectations. He did not come as a political or military leader. He came as a humble king. In Mark 10, when Bartimaeus cries out, “Son of David, have mercy on me,” Jesus responds, not with power or judgment, but with healing and compassion.

Jesus is the fulfilment of God’s promise to David. He is the King who brings not war, but peace; not control, but healing; not rebellion, but redemption.

Take a moment today to reflect:

• Is Jesus the King of your life?
• Are there places where you expect God to work one way, but He’s doing something deeper? Trust His ways. He always keeps His promises.