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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comVincent Word Studies - Matthew 21:3 - 21:3
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The Lord (ὁ κύριος)
From κῦρος, supreme power, authority. Hence κύριος, one having authority, lord, owner, ruler. In classical Greek, used of the gods, and in inscriptions applied to different gods, as Hermes, Zeus, etc.; also of the head of the family, who is lord (κύριος) of the wife and children (1 Samuel 1:8, Sept.); while to the slaves he is δεσπότης. In the Pauline writings, however, the master of slaves is called both δεσπότης (1Ti 6:1, 1Ti 6:2; Tit 2:9; 1Pe 2:18), and κύριος (Eph 6:9; Col 4:1).
In the Septuagint it is used by Sarah of her husband (Genesis 18:12; compare I Pet. Gen 3:6). Joseph is called lord of the country (Genesis 42:33), and is addressed by his brethren as my lord (42:10). It is applied to God (Gen 18:27; Exo 4:10). In the New Testament it is a name for God (Mat 1:20, Mat 1:22, Mat 1:24; Mat 2:15; Act 11:16; Act 12:11, Act 12:17; Rev 1:8). As applied to Christ, it does not express his divine nature and power. These are indicated by some accompanying word or phrase, as my God (Joh 20:28); of all (Act 10:36); to the glory of God the Father (Phi 2:11); of glory (1Co 2:8); so that, as a title of Christ, Lord is used in the sense of Master or Ruler, or in address, Sir (Mat 22:43, Mat 22:45; Luk 2:11; Luk 6:46; Joh 13:13, Joh 13:14;1Co 8:6). Ὁ κύριος, the Lord, is used of Christ by Matthew only once (Mat 21:3) until after the resurrection (Mat 28:6). In the other gospels and in the Acts it occurs far oftener. Nevertheless, in the progress of Christian thought in the New Testament, the meaning develops toward a specific designation of the divine Saviour, as may be seen in the phrases Jesus, Christ our Lord, Our Lord Jesus Christ, Our Lord, Jesus our Lord.