Messiah is Melchizedek

Jesus is standing surrounded by the leading religious authorities of His day—the Pharisees. Among them is a lawyer, a man highly skilled and deeply versed in the Law. In front of everyone, this lawyer sets the stage like a court case. He poses a question to Jesus, and Jesus answers correctly. There is no rebuttal, no denial, no correction from any of them. His answer is perfect.

Then Jesus turns the tables. In this public courtroom moment, He fires back with a question of His own—one designed to challenge their beliefs at the deepest level. And the question He asks is massive. He is baiting them, while at the same time giving every legal expert present—and every future generation—the biblical definition of The Messiah.

In essence, Jesus is asking in this public court of law: What is the role of THE MESSIAH? What is He? What office does He hold, and by what authority is the Messiah given? The office of Messiah—what is it? 

Let me reiterate the scene. Jesus is standing before the religious leaders of the day, before lawyers and leading scholars, surrounded by witnesses overhearing this legal exchange between them. Jesus trumps their question and then lays down two legally binding, defining questions of His own. What He is actually saying is this: “According to Scripture, define Messiah.”

Jesus’ first question is: “What do you think about (define) the Messiah?” (Matthew 22:42).

In other words: “What is Messiah? What role is Messiah? What office is Messiah? Tell me—what is the definition and position of the Messiah?”

Then Jesus asks His second question, “Whose Son is He?” (Matthew 22:42).

We often get caught up in the second question and completely overlook the first! We already know the answer to question two. Whose Son is He? Everyone understood that the Messiah would come from the line of David and from the tribe of Judah.

Jesus then presses the issue: If Messiah is David’s son, why does David call Him “Lord” (Adoni)? The Pharisees get tripped up here. They cannot reconcile how the Messiah can be both David’s descendant and David’s Lord.

They also know—from Daniel 7:13—that Messiah is eternal, present with God from the beginning. We understand that. Yet they cannot answer Jesus’ question since it goes against their theology.

The Pharisees had a great theological divide between themselves and the Jewish Essene sect. The Pharisees believed Messiah would indeed come from the line of David, but in their view He would be nothing more than a political king—just a man raised up to wage war against the nations, and, in their minds, to overthrow Rome. They did not believe the Messiah held any priestly role.

However, Jesus not only clarifies that the role and office of Messiah is more than just a man. He is Adoni—Lord of all! He is with the Father. He existed before the beginning of time.

And in doing this, Jesus is validating the Essenes’ interpretations of the Scriptures: that the Messiah is both King and Priest. At the same time, He corrects the Pharisees’ narrow interpretation of Scripture—in this public exchange for all to hear.

Let’s clearly understand what Jesus is doing here. This is a huge declaration. Out of all the Scriptures in the Bible—out of all the legal foundational laws—Jesus chose just one single chapter to define Messiah. One chapter to establish the legal foundation of this entire courtroom exchange. He is literally giving the court a legally binding definition of Messiah, and not one lawyer or religious leader can challenge it. They cannot dispute it.

This is a mic-drop moment. Or one might say, “Case closed!”

So what Bible verse did Jesus drop on them that caused this response? “And no one was able to answer Him a word, nor from that day on did anyone dare question Him anymore.” (Matthew 22:46)

The God-inspired verse Jesus quoted came from the very hand of David—Psalm 110. In that chapter, David is hearing a conversation between God the Father and Messiah the Son. The Father declares to the Messiah: “You are according to the order of Melchizedek!”

The Father also states that this is an oath—an oath He will not revoke. It is an eternal decree. Jesus, the Messiah, is a Priest, and not just any priest—He is a Kingly Priest: “The LORD has sworn and will not relent, ‘You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.’” (Psalms 110:4)

Think about what Jesus just said. Think about what He just did. This is not a small thing—this is massive!!! He is declaring Himself to be a priest higher than Aaron and higher than all his sons. Jesus the Messiah is both King and Priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

This is what Jesus just gave the court in public display—and it was not refuted, debated, or even questioned. Once Jesus established the legal Scripture: “No one was able to answer Him a word, nor from that day on did anyone dare question Him anymore.” (Matthew 22:46)

Jesus just defined His role. This moment helps explain why John the Baptist said he was not even worthy to loosen His sandals. John understood exactly what office Jesus was stepping into. When John baptized Jesus to begin His service as Melchizedek—the King of Righteousness—John was openly validating that Jesus was far above him in authority, calling, and office.

Then we have the account of the Father speaking from the heavens: “And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, "You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:22)

In that moment, heaven, earth, and Scripture all agree: Jesus is the Messiah, the Son, the Lord, the eternal Priest-King in the order of Melchizedek.

To be continued…

Coming Next: Jesus Prepares the Disciples for Melchizedek Service