What does Luke 20:41 mean?

David's own words become part of how Jesus counters the teachings of local religious leaders. The Pharisees (Matthew 22:41) fail to grasp the authority of the Christ over the line of Jewish kings. David was the greatest of the Jewish kings and wrote extensively about the coming Messiah—his descendant (2 Samuel 7:12–13). Given that, what does it mean that David called the Christ—the same one called his "son"— his "Lord" in Psalm 110:1? The ending point of Jesus' statement is that David refers to the Messiah as "Lord."

Matthew gives more context about the interaction: "Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question, saying, "What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?' They said to him, 'The son of David'" (Matthew 22:41–42).

Luke chapter 20 can be read as a "chiasm:" a mirrored series of themes. This short passage partners with the parable of the wicked tenants (Luke 20:9–16). Jesus teaches daily in the temple courtyard (Luke 19:47; 21:37–38). A group asked Him who gave Him the authority to clear the vendors and money changers from the Court of the Gentiles (Luke 20:1–8). Jesus told a parable to show that as the Son of God, He has authority over the religious leaders. In the parable, a landowner leased his vineyard to tenants. Rather than paying their dues, those tenants mistreated the owner's messengers. Eventually, the owner sent his son, and the tenants killed him. For that, the landowner returned, killed the tenants, and replaced them with others.

Jesus finished that story by warning His audience that if they reject the person God gave authority, they will find themselves rejected by God (Luke 20:17–18). The religious leaders understood Him: Jesus claimed He is the Son of God and the religious leaders are false teachers (Luke 20:19). Here, Jesus again speaks about the divine authority which comes through His role as the Son of God.