Luke 20:18

Luke 20:18, in plain English

Jesus warns: anyone who falls on this stone will be broken, and anyone the stone falls on will be crushed. There's no ignoring this stone — it demands a response.

Why it's here

You can stumble over Jesus in brokenness and be healed, or resist Him and be crushed. But you can't just walk past. He's the cornerstone of everything, and everyone must deal with Him.

Who's speaking

Jesus delivers a sobering warning about the consequences of rejecting the cornerstone.

Where it sits in the story

The stone isn't neutral. It either breaks you open in a way that leads to healing, or it breaks you apart in judgment. The choice is yours, but you have to choose.

The scholarly reading

Jesus adds a warning about the stone: whoever falls on it will be broken, and whoever it falls upon will be crushed (likmasēi, 'winnowed/pulverized'). This combines imagery from Isaiah 8:14-15 and Daniel 2:34-35, 44-45.

Language and setting

The stone operates in two modes: as a stumbling block for those who trip over it (Isaiah 8:14-15), and as a crushing judgment for those upon whom it falls (Daniel 2:44-45's kingdom-stone). There is no neutral relationship with this stone.

Voice

Jesus extends the stone metaphor with a warning about the consequences of opposing or being judged by it.

Significance

The stone metaphor intensifies: you can either stumble over this stone and be broken in repentance, or the stone will fall on you in judgment. There is no third option — the cornerstone demands a response.

16He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others.”

17But Jesus looked directly at them and said, “Then what is the meaning of that which is written: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’?

18Everyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed.”

19When the scribes and chief priests realized that Jesus had spoken this parable against them, they sought to arrest Him that very hour. But they were afraid of the people.

20So they watched Him closely and sent spies who pretended to be sincere. They were hoping to catch Him in His words in order to hand Him over to the rule and authority of the governor.

Read all of Luke 20 — The religious leaders challenge Jesus' authority. He answers with a parable about murderous tenants that leaves them furious and afraid.