Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Hebrews 1:13

"But of which of the angels hath he said at any time, Sit thou on my right hand, Till I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet?" — Hebrews 1:13 (ASV)

The quotation from Ps 110:1 is introduced with a formula that stresses its inapplicability to angels . This psalm is accepted by the NT writers as messianic. It is repeatedly applied to Christ; and apparently even Jesus’ opponents accepted it as messianic (Mark 12:35–37), though, of course, they would not apply it to Jesus. Since the angels stand before God (Revelation 8:2; cf. Daniel 7:10), it is a mark of superior dignity that the Son sits. And the statement that God discharges the task of a servant in preparing a footstool for the Son is a striking piece of imagery. The angels are God’s servants. How great then is he whom God deigns to serve! To make the enemies a footstool means to subject them utterly. Consequently, God will render all Christ’s enemies utterly powerless.