PrevLuke 20:17Next

Luke 20

And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders,

And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?

And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me:

The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?

And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not?

But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet.

And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was.

And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time.

And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty.

And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty.

And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast him out.

Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him.

But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.

So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them?

He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid.

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?

Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.

And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.

And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly:

Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?

But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me?

Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar's.

And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's.

And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.

Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him,

Saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If any man's brother die, having a wife, and he die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.

There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without children.

And the second took her to wife, and he died childless.

And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died.

Last of all the woman died also.

Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife.

And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage:

But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:

Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.

Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.

For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.

Then certain of the scribes answering said, Master, thou hast well said.

And after that they durst not ask him any question at all.

And he said unto them, How say they that Christ is David's son?

And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

Till I make thine enemies thy footstool.

David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his son?

Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples,

Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts;

Which devour widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.

What does Luke 20:17 mean?

Explanation

Luke 20:17 features Jesus referencing Psalm 118:22 to illustrate a profound spiritual truth.

The verse captures Jesus speaking to the religious leaders of His time, who had been questioning His authority.

He uses this illustration to explain that although they, the 'builders' or the spiritual leaders of Israel, have rejected Him as the Messiah, He will nevertheless become the 'chief cornerstone'.

This metaphorical language describes the essential role of Jesus in God's plan of salvation and the establishment of His kingdom.

The builders' rejection of the stone that becomes the cornerstone suggests that the very thing they dismissed as inconsequential is, in fact, central to God's purposes.

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

When Jesus quotes this verse in Luke 20:17, He is engaging with a common practice of His time: applying Hebrew scripture to contemporary situations.

The original context of Psalm 118 is a liturgical song of thanksgiving traditionally used during Passover.

By Jesus' time, it had messianic connotations and was part of the Hallel, a Jewish prayer recited on festivals.

The cornerstone in ancient construction was the principal stone, often placed at the corner, which aligned and bonded the structure's walls.

Jesus applies this imagery to Himself to convey His pivotal role in the spiritual edifice of God's kingdom and connects His rejection and eventual exaltation to the scripture familiar to His audience.

Theological Insights

Theological interpretations of this passage vary among Christian denominations but generally agree on its Christological significance.

In traditional Christian theology, Jesus is seen as the cornerstone of the Church.

Despite being rejected by the religious leaders, His crucifixion and resurrection become the foundation of the faith.

Protestant theologians often emphasize the accountability of the religious leaders for not recognizing Jesus as the Messiah.

Catholic tradition might highlight the verse as an affirmation of Peter's role and the apostolic succession.

In contrast, Orthodox theology might focus on the mystical and cosmic implications of Christ as the cornerstone.

Practical Applications

This verse encourages believers to recognize and embrace what God is doing, even when it defies expectations or societal norms. As a practical application, individuals are reminded to be open to the ways God might work through what is undervalued or rejected by the world.

Additionally, Christians are invited to consider their own foundations and whether their lives are built on the teachings of Jesus, who is regarded as the true cornerstone.

In a broader sense, it serves as a call to re-examine rejected ideas or individuals who may bear significance in God's eyes.

Cross-References

Psalm 118:22: "The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner."
Matthew 21:42: "Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?"
Mark 12:10: "And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner:"
1 Peter 2:7: "Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,"

Language Study

The original Greek words used in Luke 20:17 are critical to understanding this verse. The key terms are:

"stone" (λίθος, lithos): Often used metaphorically in ancient Greek literature and in this context, representing Christ.
"builders" (οἰκοδομέω, oikodomeō): Meaning to build a house, and metaphorically, those responsible for spiritual leadership and guidance.
"rejected" (ἀποδοκιμάζω, apodokimazō): Meaning to disapprove, disdain, or consider unworthy.
"head of the corner" / "cornerstone" (κεφαλὴ γωνίας, kephalē gōnias): Referring to the principal, guiding stone in a building's construction - literally the "head" of the corner.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In ancient cultures, cornerstones had a symbolic significance as they were pivotal for the integrity of a structure.

Various ancient mythologies contain ideas of foundational stones or beings – for example, the Greek myth of the world’s center stone, Omphalos, representing the earth's stability.

Within Judaism, which is the direct cultural background of this verse, the use of stone metaphors can be found in several texts to convey ideas of strength, permanence, and foundational truths.

The interpretation of Jesus as the cornerstone reflects the early Christian reinterpretation of Jewish messianic expectations.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientifically, the verse does not directly relate to physical or empirical knowledge.

However, understanding the physical properties and importance of a cornerstone in architecture could provide some insight into the metaphor Jesus uses.

The cornerstone is vital for the stability and alignment of a structure, which resonates with the claim that Jesus is essential for spiritual stability and direction.

Scientifically, this highlights the way metaphors derived from physical realities can convey profound abstract concepts.

Commentaries

Commentaries on Luke 20:17 offer varied insights.

Many agree on the messianic prophecy fulfillment aspect; scholars like Joseph A.

Fitzmyer note the use of the verse in the context of Jesus' polemic with the Jewish authorities.

Craig S.

Keener points out the irony that Jesus, who is rejected by religious leaders, is accepted by God and takes on the role they had thought to reject.

John Nolland interprets Jesus' citation as a warning to the leaders of Israel.

More conservative commentators like Matthew Henry offer a view of the verse as a prediction of the exaltation of Christ after His death and resurrection.

Luke 20

Luke 20

What does Luke 20:17 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Luke 20:17 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?