Mark 12:10

And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner:

And have ye {G314} not {G3761} read {G314} this {G5026} scripture {G1124}; The stone {G3037} which {G3739} the builders {G3618} rejected {G593} is {G3778}{G1096} become {G1519} the head {G2776} of the corner {G1137}:

Haven't you read the passage in the Tanakh that says, `The very rock which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone!

Have you never read this Scripture: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.

Have ye not read even this scripture: The stone which the builders rejected, The same was made the head of the corner;

Mark 12:10 is a pivotal verse within Jesus's Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers, delivered to the chief priests, scribes, and elders in the Temple. In this parable, Jesus allegorically describes Israel's history of rejecting God's messengers and, ultimately, His Son. After recounting how the vineyard owner's servants were abused and killed, and finally his beloved son was murdered by the tenants, Jesus then poses this rhetorical question, quoting an Old Testament scripture to highlight the ultimate outcome of their rejection.

Context

This verse directly follows Jesus's powerful Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers, where the "builders" clearly represent the religious authorities of Israel—the very chief priests, scribes, and elders who were listening to Jesus and seeking to entrap Him (see Mark 11:27). The "stone" is unequivocally Jesus Himself. By quoting Psalm 118:22, Jesus reveals His divine identity and foreshadows His crucifixion and subsequent exaltation, emphasizing that despite their rejection, He would become the most crucial element in God's redemptive plan.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Fulfillment: The verse highlights God's overarching plan that cannot be thwarted by human resistance. Even the rejection of His Son is incorporated into His sovereign design for salvation, fulfilling ancient prophecies.
  • The Centrality of Christ: Despite being rejected by the religious establishment, Jesus is declared the "head of the corner." This signifies His supreme importance as the foundational and unifying element of God's spiritual temple, the Church. He is indispensable.
  • Consequences of Rejection: Implicitly, the verse serves as a stark warning to those who reject God's chosen Son. Their actions, though intended to diminish Jesus, ultimately lead to their own undoing and His glorification.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "head of the corner" translates the Greek kephalē gōnias (κεφαλὴ γωνίας). This term refers to the most vital stone in a building's construction. It could be either:

  • The chief cornerstone, a large, perfectly shaped stone placed at the corner of a foundation, setting the alignment for the entire structure.
  • The capstone or key-stone, the topmost stone of an arch or pyramid, which locks the entire structure together and bears the weight.
In either interpretation, the "head of the corner" is the most important stone, symbolizing preeminence, stability, and the essential binding element. Jesus is presented as the indispensable foundation and culmination of God's work.

Related Scriptures

  • The original prophecy is found in Psalm 118:22-23, a messianic psalm often quoted in the New Testament.
  • The Apostle Peter powerfully applies this same verse to Jesus when addressing the Jewish leaders in Acts 4:11, declaring, "This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner."
  • Paul also references Christ as the chief corner stone upon which the church is built, with apostles and prophets as the foundation (Ephesians 2:20).
  • 1 Peter 2:7-8 further elaborates, stating that to those who believe, He is precious, but to those who are disobedient, He is "a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence."

Practical Application

Mark 12:10 serves as a powerful reminder of Christ's unparalleled importance. For believers, it affirms that our faith and lives must be built upon Him as the secure and guiding foundation. Any attempt to construct spiritual truth or personal meaning apart from Him is destined to fail. It also encourages us to recognize that God can use even rejection and opposition to further His perfect plan. For those who may be hesitant or resistant to Christ, the verse stands as a gentle warning of the consequences of neglecting or actively rejecting the one God has exalted as supreme. Our response to Jesus determines our spiritual standing.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 118:22

    The stone [which] the builders refused is become the head [stone] of the corner.

  • Psalms 118:23

    This is the LORD'S doing; it [is] marvellous in our eyes.

  • 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,

  • 1 Peter 2:8

    And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, [even to them] which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

  • 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?

  • 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 20:18

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

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