New Testament · Gospel

Matthew 21:42

The King Enters

Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? Matthew 21:42 · Berean Standard Bible
What It Means

Matthew 21:42, in plain English

Jesus says, 'Haven't you read in the Scriptures: The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. The Lord did this, and it's amazing.'

Why it's here

The builders are the religious leaders. The stone is Jesus. They're rejecting the very foundation God is laying.

Who's speaking

Jesus quotes a psalm that describes exactly what's happening — they're rejecting the most important piece.

Where it sits in the story

The leaders are throwing away the stone that turns out to be the most important one. God has a way of using what people reject.

A Closer Look

The scholarly reading

Jesus quotes Psalm 118:22-23: the stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone (kephalēn gōnias) — applying the psalm to Himself as the rejected-yet-vindicated Messiah.

Language and setting

Psalm 118 was already cited at the triumphal entry (v.9); now the same psalm appears in the context of rejection — the one they praised, they will also reject.

Voice

Jesus quotes Scripture to identify Himself as the rejected cornerstone.

Significance

Jesus reveals that He is the stone the builders — the religious leaders — are rejecting, but God will make Him the foundation of everything.

In context

Matthew 21:40–44

40Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard returns, what will he do to those tenants?”

41“He will bring those wretches to a wretched end,” they replied, “and will rent out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him his share of the fruit at harvest time.”

42Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?

43Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.

44He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed.”

Read all of Matthew 21 — Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey while the crowds shout hosanna. Within hours, he's overturning tables in the temple.

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