This is an oft repeating pattern, that the common people connected Jesus with the merciful character of his father David. Like father like son, so they recognized. The experts, not so much...
Mark 12
35 And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the Son of David?
36 For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.
37 David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he then his son? And the common people heard him gladly.
38 And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,
39 And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:
40 Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.
The exploitation of widows is the quintessential antipode of mercy. It goes a long way in explaining why the religious establishment not only did not recognize the son of David, it sought to destroy him. Letting his methods spread meant 'game over' in the world of imperial status and widows as collateral damage.
A man so merciful that even David called him the master. No wonder the experts couldn't answer a simple question. Every son has a father and a mother to impart to him certain qualities. Or so it should be. Sight to the blind.
Thank you for your continued posts.
You’re welcome. I agree with what you’ve said about the Son of David although I’ve also taken it to mean one of the names given to the Messiah — ever since I first heard of that just several years ago, I should say.
And no doubt then as now, those who are closest to the god of this world tend seek positions where they run things, so I suppose it’s not surprising that wolves at the top would be devouring widows’ houses yet still put on a show of praying.