While Jesus was teaching in the temple, he said, ‘How can the scribes say that the Messiah is the son of David? David himself, by the Holy Spirit, declared,“The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet.’ ”David himself calls him Lord; so how can he be his son?’ And the large crowd was listening to him with delight. (Mark 12: 35-37)

In Judea it was commonly understood that the Messiah would be a descendent of King David. The gospel of Matthew goes to some length to demonstrate that Jesus was descended from David.

The Davidic succession was not as important outside Judea. Elsewhere, for example, others expected Moses to return. But in the City of David the return of the King had become the great symbol of national and spiritual renewal.

The national and spiritual were fully entwined. Spiritual restoration was expected to result in national success. National independence and power was seen as proof of spiritual renewal and divine blessing.

King David was remembered not so much for his psalm writing or harp playing as for his military prowess and presiding over national glory. For 1000 years the Davidic myth had grown with each year's passing.

Why do you believe this, Jesus asks. If this is true, how do you explain Psalm 110? How is your belief consistent with scripture? Matthew writes, "And no one was able to answer him a word... (Matthew 22: 46)

Above is an image of David from a medieval manuscript. Courtesy of the British Library.