Luke 20:17
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?
Luke 20:17 (KJV)
Context
Jesus speaks these words to the chief priests, scribes, and elders who challenged His authority in the temple. He has just told the parable of the wicked tenants, in which the owner sends servants and then his beloved son to collect fruit, but the tenants reject and kill them. Jesus then quotes Psalm 118:22, applying it to Himself as the stone that the builders rejected and that has become the head of the corner.
Meaning
The stone represents Jesus, and the builders symbolize the religious leaders of Israel, who were rejecting the Messiah. In ancient architecture, the cornerstone was the first and most crucial stone laid in a building; it determined the alignment, strength, and stability of the whole structure. Jesus, as the cornerstone, is the central and essential element that brings unity, support, and coherence to the people of God.
Jesus’ quotation is a direct messianic claim. Though He is rejected by those who should have received Him, God exalts Him to a position of supreme importance. The Greek phrase “head of the corner” emphasizes the stone’s foundational and pivotal role. This verse is part of a larger confrontation where Jesus’ authority is questioned, and His response turns the tables, showing that their rejection fulfills Scripture. The immediate context includes verse 18, where Jesus warns that everyone who falls on that stone will be broken, and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him, indicating both the vulnerability and the judgment associated with Him.
Biblical connections
Jesus identifies Himself as the fulfillment of the messianic prophecy found in Psalm 118:22. This verse affirms that the very stone rejected by the builders becomes the cornerstone. Although Jesus was initially rejected and crucified, God exalted Him and made Him the cornerstone of His redemptive plan. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus became the pivotal figure in God’s Kingdom, providing salvation and eternal life to all who believe in Him. The early church applied the same imagery to Christ in Acts 4:11 and 1 Peter 2:7.
Application
This verse carries important spiritual implications for believers today. It reminds us that in our own lives, we may face rejection, persecution, or be disregarded by others because of our faith in Christ. However, we can take comfort in the fact that Jesus Himself experienced rejection and overcame it through His resurrection. We can find strength in knowing that our identity and worth are found in Him, not in the acceptance of others. We are called to build our lives upon the cornerstone of Jesus Christ, allowing His teachings, example, and grace to guide us.
Luke 20:17 emphasizes the rejection of Jesus by the religious leaders and the subsequent exaltation of Him as the cornerstone.
It serves as a reminder of the fulfillment of prophecy and the significance of Jesus as the foundation of the Church.
As believers, we are called to build our lives upon the unshakable foundation of Christ, finding our identity and purpose in Him.
Reflection
The verse underscores the irony that the very One rejected by the religious establishment is the One God has made central to salvation. It also serves as a warning: rejecting Christ has serious consequences, as seen in the parable’s judgment on the tenants. The passage calls readers to recognize Jesus’ true identity and to build their lives on Him as the cornerstone.
