But he looked at them and said, “Then what is this that is written, ‘The stone which the builders rejected was made the chief cornerstone?’
Parallel Translations
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But he looked at them and said, “Then what is this that is written, ‘The stone which the builders rejected was made the chief cornerstone?’
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And he behelde them and sayde: what meaneth this then that is wrytten: The stone that the bylders refused the same is made the heed corner stone?
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And he beheld them, and said, What meaneth this then that is written, The stone that the builders refused, that is made the head of the corner?
Cross-references (13)
Passages linked to Luke 20:17 in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, ordered by reader-vote popularity; verse text shown in World English Bible.
- Psalms 118:22 The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
- Isaiah 28:16 Therefore the Lord Yahweh says, “Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone of a sure foundation. He who believes shall not act hastily.
- Acts 4:11 He is ‘the stone which was regarded as worthless by you, the builders, which has become the head of the corner.’
- Matthew 21:42 Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures, ‘The stone which the builders rejected was made the head of the corner. This was from the Lord. It is marvelous in our eyes?’
- Mark 12:10 Haven’t you even read this Scripture: ‘The stone which the builders rejected was made the head of the corner.
- 1 Peter 2:7-8 For you who believe therefore is the honor, but for those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone,” and, “a stumbling stone and a rock of offense.” For they stumble at the word, being disobedient, to which also they were appointed.
- Zechariah 3:9 For, behold, the stone that I have set before Joshua; on one stone are seven eyes: behold, I will engrave its engraving,’ says Yahweh of Armies, ‘and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.
- Mark 3:5 When he had looked around at them with anger, being grieved at the hardening of their hearts, he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored as healthy as the other.
- Mark 10:23 Jesus looked around, and said to his disciples, “How difficult it is for those who have riches to enter into God’s Kingdom!”
- Luke 22:37 For I tell you that this which is written must still be fulfilled in me: ‘He was counted with transgressors.’ For that which concerns me has an end.”
- Luke 22:61 The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the Lord’s word, how he said to him, “Before the rooster crows you will deny me three times.”
- Luke 24:44 He said to them, “This is what I told you, while I was still with you, that all things which are written in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me must be fulfilled.”
- John 15:25 But this happened so that the word may be fulfilled which was written in their law, ‘They hated me without a cause.’
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this verse (10 sources)
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John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain 17 And he beheld them, and said, What is…
17 And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?
Ver. 17. What is this then that is written, &c.] q.d. If it be not so as I say, that you shall kill the Messiah, how is it that the Scripture saith as much? Press men with Scripture testimonies; that is the readiest way of sound conviction. It was a good speech of Augustine to Manichaeus, contesting with him for audience: Hear me, hear me, said the heretic. Nay, saith Augustine, Nec ego te, nec tu me, sed ambo audiamus apostolum dicentem, peccatum non cognovi, &c. It is not what I say, or what thou sayest, but what the Scripture saith, that we must stand to.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain And the chief priests, and the Scribes, that same…
And the chief priests, and the Scribes, that same hour,.... As soon as he had delivered the above parable, together with that of the two sons:
sought to lay hands on him; they had a good will to it, being exceedingly gravelled with the question he put to them concerning John's baptism, which confounded them, and put them to silence; and with the parables he delivered, in which they were so manifestly pointed at:
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and they feared the people; lest they should rise and stone them, as in Luk 20:6 or rescue him out of their hands;
for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them: and that they were the husbandmen that had used the servants of God so ill, and would put to death the son of God, the Messiah; and who would at length be destroyed themselves, and the kingdom of God be taken from them, though they seem to detest and deprecate it, saying in Luk 20:16 God forbid; that we should kill the heir, or that we should be destroyed, and the vineyard given to others: these things grievously nettled them, and exasperated them against him; but they knew not how to help themselves at present.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain He looked on them - To sharpen their attention.…
He looked on them - To sharpen their attention. Psalm cxviii, 22.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain written--(in Psa 118:22-23. See on Luk 19:38). The Kingdom…
written--(in Psa 118:22-23. See on Luk 19:38). The Kingdom of God is here a Temple, in the erection of which a certain stone, rejected as unsuitable by the spiritual builders, is, by the great Lord of the House, made the keystone of the whole. On that Stone the builders were now "falling" and being "broken" (Isa 8:15), "sustaining great spiritual hurt; but soon that Stone should fall upon them and grind them to powder" (Dan 2:34-35; Zac 12:3) --in their corporate capacity in the tremendous destruction of Jerusalem, but personally, as unbelievers, in a more awful sense still.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain 17. he beheld them] Rather, looking fixedly on them,…
17. he beheld them] Rather, looking fixedly on them, to add solemnity to His reference to their own Scriptures.
that is written] He here refers them to the very Psalm from which the Hosanna of the multitude had been taken.
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The stone which the builders rejected] This is a quotation from Psa_118:22, comp. Isa_28:16. The stone is regarded both as a foundation-stone, and a stone at the angle of the building, binding the two walls together. These words made a deep impression on St Peter (1Pe_2:7-8).
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain (17) And he beheld them.—Better, He looked on them.…
(17) And he beheld them.—Better, He looked on them. The Greek verb implies the gaze turned and fixed on its object, in addition to the mere act of beholding.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain Vers. 17, 18. And he beheld them, and said,…
Vers. 17, 18. And he beheld them, and said, What is this then thai; is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. In spite of the deprecating expression, the severity of the tone of Jesus increases in his next words, when, looking at them with grave anger (embleqav), he proceeds to speak of himself under the figure of the rejected stone. Quoting a well-known psalm, (Psa_118:22) and using the imagery of Isa_8:14, 15 and Dan_2:44, he describes his fortunes under the imago of a corner-stone that stone which forms the junction between the two most prominent walls of a building, and which is always laid with peculiar care and attention. In Luk_2:34 of our Gospel Simeon refers to the same well-known prophetic saying. The husbandmen who had just been described as vine-dressers are now described as builders, and the murdered son is reproduced under the image of a corner, stone tossed aside as useless. In the first part of the picture, the earthly humiliation of Messiah is portrayed when the stone is laid in the earth. In the second, the stone falling from the top of the building represents the crushing of all earthly opposition by Messiah in his glory. Woe to the builders, then, who had scornfully rejected him.
The rejection and exaltation of Christ.
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We look at
I THE REJECTION OF JESUS CHRIST. Its strangeness.
1. From an evidential point of view. How came the builders to reject that valuable Stone? How was it that all the miracles of Jesus, so wonderful, so beneficent, so simple, and so credible as they were; that the life of Jesus, so holy and so beautiful, so gracious and so winning as it was; that the truth spoken by Jesus, so profound, so original, so lofty, so satisfying to the deepest wants of man as it was; how came it to pass that all this left him the "despised and rejected of men"?
2. From a providential point of view. How do we account for it that there should have been such a long and complicated preparation for the coming of the Messiah of the Jews, and of the Redeemer of mankind, and that he should fail to be recognized when he came? Does not all that Divine arrangement of Law and ritual and prophecy, of privilege and discipline, seem to have been attended with failure? Of what use was all that elaborate preparation, when the people of God rejected the Son of God? when he to whom everything pointed, and of whom everything foretold, was not welcomed and honored, but denounced as a deceiver and slain as a criminal?
II CONSIDERATIONS WHICH ACCOUNT FOR IT; or which, if they do not account for it, lessen our surprise concerning it.
1. As to the evidential difficulty. We need not wonder that the very strongest evidence failed to convince those who were unconvinced. What evidence can prevail against bigotry (or prejudice) and selfishness combined? Our knowledge and experience of mankind must have abundantly proved that either of these can repel the clearest and weightiest proofs; much more can both of them. And surely prejudice and self-interest never found a firmer seat than they found in the minds of the "chief priests and the scribes" who led the opposition to our Lord.
2. As to the providential difficulty. We must take into our consideration
(1) the fact that God"s dealings with our race include such apparent failures as this, and oblige us to wait the issue before we judge;
(2) the fact that the long preparation of Israel was by no means wholly an apparent failure. There is evidence of much fulfillment of prophecy; there is the valuable contribution of all that is contained in Old Testament Scripture, which is a rich and precious heritage to the human race; and there is, above all, the formation of a pure and reverent people, distinguished from and raised above all surrounding nations in the supreme element of moral character, which supplied the human material for the first great missionary epoch. Moreover, the very rejection of Jesus Christ has played to be the beginning and foundation of ultimate success, and of a success far deeper and larger than any contemporary and national triumph would have been. It has led up to
III HIS EXALTATION.
1. Notwithstanding his humiliation. That Stone was rejected indeed; that Teacher was silenced, that Prophet slain, that cause covered with infamy; those hopes, cherished by a few disciples, were laid in the tomb and covered from sight; yet, notwithstanding all that apparent defeat and discomfiture, that "Stone has become the Head of the corner," that Teacher the great Teacher of Divine wisdom, that Prophet the acknowledged Savior of mankind, that cause the kingdom of God upon earth.
2. It is the reward of his humiliation. Wherefore also God hath highly exalted him". (Php_2:6-11 Heb_2:9, Heb_2:10)
3. As the result of his humiliation. "I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto me." The cross has been the great loadstone which has been attracting the world. It is to a crucified Savior, once slain for our sins, dying in mercy toward our race, that we are drawn in faith and love. It is he "who loved us, and gave himself for us" unto such shame and sorrow and death it is he whom we rejoice to make the Friend of our heart and the Sovereign of our life.
4. Learn the place of privilege. It is well for us that we stand where we do stand at a point in time where we can recognize the Corner-stone. The mountain is best seen afar off, the city or the sea is best seen from above, the character of the generation is best understood after some interval of time. We know Jesus Christ better than we should have done had we lived when he was the Stone rejected of the builders. We could not be better placed than we are by the providence of God for understanding him and rejoicing in his worth.
5. Know the day of opportunity. Recognizing the true character of that once-slighted "Stone," knowing Jesus Christ as we know him now, it is for us to accept him without delay as our personal Redeemer, and to commend him, with all devotedness, to the estimation and trust of all beholders. C.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
C. I. Scofield 1917 · Public Domain See Psa 118:22; Psa 118:23. (See Scofield "Mat 21:44").
stone
See Psa 118:22; Psa 118:23. (See Scofield "Mat 21:44").
The Scofield Reference Bible (1917 edition), notes by C. I. Scofield — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 Connecting Statement:
Connecting Statement:
Jesus continues teaching the crowd.
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But Jesus looked at them
"But Jesus stared at them" or "But he looked straight at them." He did this to hold them accountable to understand what he was saying.
What is the meaning of that which is written: 'The stone ... cornerstone'?
Jesus uses a question to teach the crowd. AT: "You should be able to understand that which is written: 'The stone ... cornerstone.'" (See: Rhetorical Question)
that which is written
"this scripture"
The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone
This is the first of three metaphors in a prophecy from the book of Psalms. This one refers to the Messiah as if he were a stone that builders chose not to use, but that God made the most important stone. (See: Metaphor)
The stone that the builders rejected
"The stone that the builders said was not good enough to use for building." In those days people used stones to build the walls of houses and other buildings.
the builders
This refers to the religious rulers who are rejecting Jesus as Messiah.
the cornerstone
"the chief stone of the building" or "the most important stone of the building"
Every one who falls ... broken to pieces
This second metaphor speaks of people who reject the Messiah as if they fall over a stone and are injured. (See: Metaphor)
will be broken to pieces
This is a result of falling onto the stone. It can be stated in active form. AT: "will break up into pieces" (See: Active or Passive)
But on whomever it falls
"But whomever that stone falls on." This third metaphor speaks about the Messiah judging those who reject him as if he were a large stone that would crush them. (See: Metaphor)
translationWords
word of God
reject
cornerstone
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 20:17 The stone . . . cornerstone: Jesus cited…
20:17 The stone . . . cornerstone: Jesus cited Ps 118:22 to predict his rejection and restoration. The cornerstone was the key part of a building, used to support and align adjoining walls. Jesus was rejected by the builders (the religious leaders), but he would become the foundation of a new building (the church).
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.