What was the relationship between David and Jesus?
The Gospel of Matthew begins by calling Jesus “the son of David.” David is in the genealogies of Matthew and of Luke. Matthew 1:1, 6; Luke 3:31
They are connected in 2 ways:
1. Ancestor of Jesus
What the Bible says
Matthew 1:1
The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham:
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.
Did you know?
A blind man of Jericho, Bartimaeus, cried out to Jesus to have pity on him, and called him “son of David.” Mark 10:46-47
2. The throne forever
God promised David that his throne would last forever. The angel Gabriel told Mary that God would give Jesus the throne of David. 2 Samuel 7:16; Luke 1:32-33
What the Bible says
2 Samuel 7:16
And thy house shall be faithful, and thy kingdom for ever before thy face, and thy throne shall be firm for ever.
Luke 1:32
He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the most High; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David his father; and he shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever.
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.
What the Church teaches
Many recognized in Jesus the “son of David” whom God had promised to Israel.
Catechism 439 · Catechism of the Catholic Church
Did you know?
Paul said in Antioch that, from David’s descendants, God brought Israel a savior: Jesus. Acts 13:23