Mark 12:10

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}:

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Mark 12:10, Jesus confronts the religious leaders with a profound rhetorical question, quoting from [Psalm 118:22](/psalms/118-22 "Psalm 118:22 - The Stone Rejected"). This verse serves as the climax of the Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers, directly identifying Jesus as the "stone" rejected by the "builders" (Israel's leadership) yet divinely exalted to become the indispensable "head of the corner" in God's redemptive plan. It powerfully asserts Christ's preeminence and the certain fulfillment of God's sovereign purposes despite human opposition.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Mark 12:10 is situated within Jesus's final week in Jerusalem, a period marked by intense conflict with the Jewish religious authorities. It immediately follows the [Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers](/mark/12-1-9 "Mark 12:1-9 - Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers"), which Jesus delivers in the Temple courts after His authority is challenged by the chief priests, scribes, and elders ([Mark 11:27-33](/mark/11-27-33 "Mark 11:27-33 - Jesus's Authority Challenged")). This parable allegorically portrays God's historical dealings with Israel, His sending of prophets (servants), and their rejection and murder, culminating in the sending of His beloved Son, whom the tenants also kill. The parable's conclusion, and specifically the quotation of [Psalm 118:22](/psalms/118-22 "Psalm 118:22 - The Stone the Builders Rejected"), directly indicts the religious leaders as the "builders" who are rejecting God's ultimate messenger, Jesus Himself. The verse acts as a direct, prophetic application of the parable, leaving no doubt about Jesus's identity and the leaders' culpability.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the Jerusalem Temple, a highly charged environment during Passover week. The religious leaders—chief priests, scribes, and elders—represented the established authority and custodians of Jewish law and tradition. They would have been intimately familiar with the Old Testament Scriptures, including [Psalm 118](/psalms/118 "Psalm 118 - A Psalm of Thanksgiving and Trust"), which was part of the Hallel psalms sung during major festivals. The imagery of "builders" and "stones" would resonate deeply within a culture where stone masonry was a fundamental craft, and the Temple itself was a monumental stone structure. The "head of the corner" (or cornerstone/capstone) was a crucial element in ancient architecture, signifying the foundational, unifying, or crowning stone that ensured the stability and alignment of the entire edifice. Jesus's use of this prophecy was a direct challenge to their spiritual authority, implying that they, as the supposed architects of Israel's spiritual house, were failing to recognize and accept the most vital component of God's design.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes in Mark's Gospel and broader biblical theology. It underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Fulfillment**, demonstrating that God's plan for salvation cannot be thwarted by human resistance; even rejection is incorporated into His ultimate design, fulfilling ancient prophecies regarding the Messiah, as seen in [Psalm 118:22-23](/psalms/118-22-23 "Psalm 118:22-23 - The Lord's Doing"). The verse also highlights the **Centrality and Indispensability of Christ**. Despite being rejected by the religious establishment, Jesus is declared the "head of the corner," signifying His supreme importance as the foundational, unifying, and crowning element of God's spiritual temple, the Church, as further explored in [Ephesians 2:20](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20 - Christ as the Chief Cornerstone"). Implicitly, it addresses the **Consequences of Rejection**, serving 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, a truth echoed in [1 Peter 2:7-8](/1_peter/2-7-8 "1 Peter 2:7-8 - Christ, a Stumbling Stone").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **scripture (Greek, _graphḗ'_):** From G1124, meaning "a document, i.e. holy Writ (or its contents or a statement in it)." Jesus's rhetorical question, "And have ye not read this scripture?", emphasizes the religious leaders' failure to comprehend or apply the very texts they were responsible for interpreting. It highlights their spiritual blindness to the prophetic fulfillment unfolding before their eyes, despite their supposed mastery of the sacred writings.
* **rejected (Greek, _apodokimázō'_):** From G593, meaning "to disapprove, i.e. (by implication) to repudiate." This word vividly describes the active, deliberate choice of the "builders" (the Jewish religious authorities) to cast aside the "stone" (Jesus). It implies a judgment of unworthiness or unsuitability, revealing their profound misunderstanding of God's chosen Messiah and their opposition to His divine authority.
* **head (Greek, _kephalḗ'_):** From G2776, meaning "the head (as the part most readily taken hold of), literally or figuratively." In the context of "head of the corner" (G1137, _gōnía_, meaning "an angle:--corner, quarter"), this term denotes the most prominent, essential, and authoritative position. It refers to the chief cornerstone or capstone—the stone that unifies and secures the entire structure, whether at the foundation or as the crowning element of an arch. This signifies Jesus's supreme preeminence, indispensability, and unifying role in God's spiritual building, the Church.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And have ye not read this scripture;"**: Jesus poses a direct, rhetorical question to the chief priests, scribes, and elders. This is not a genuine inquiry about their literacy but a pointed challenge to their spiritual understanding and intellectual honesty. He implies that the truth about His identity and destiny is plainly revealed in their own sacred texts, particularly [Psalm 118:22](/psalms/118-22 "Psalm 118:22 - The Stone the Builders Rejected"), yet they have either failed to read with understanding or deliberately ignored its implications.
* **"The stone which the builders rejected"**: This clause identifies the key players and their action. "The stone" is a clear messianic metaphor for Jesus Himself, drawing directly from the Old Testament prophecy. "The builders" represent the religious leaders of Israel—those responsible for constructing and guiding the spiritual house of God's people. Their action, "rejected," underscores their deliberate and authoritative disapproval and repudiation of Jesus, deeming Him unfit for their spiritual edifice.
* **"is become the head of the corner:"**: This final clause reveals the divine counter-action and ultimate outcome. Despite the builders' rejection, God has sovereignly exalted this "stone" to the position of supreme importance. "The head of the corner" signifies the most crucial, foundational, and unifying stone in a building, essential for its stability and alignment. This declares Jesus's ultimate vindication, exaltation, and indispensable role as the very cornerstone upon which God's true spiritual temple (the Church) is built, demonstrating God's ability to turn human rejection into divine triumph.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 12:10 powerfully employs several literary devices. **Allegory** is central, as the entire Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers, which this verse concludes, is an extended allegorical narrative representing God's relationship with Israel and their rejection of His messengers. Within this verse, **Metaphor** is prominent, with "the stone" representing Jesus and "the builders" representing the Jewish religious authorities. The phrase "head of the corner" is a rich **Symbolism**, signifying ultimate importance, foundational stability, and unifying authority, transforming an architectural term into a profound theological statement about Christ's preeminence. The verse also features **Rhetorical Question**, as Jesus's opening query, "And have ye not read this scripture?", is not asked for information but to highlight the leaders' culpability and spiritual blindness. Finally, the verse demonstrates **Prophetic Fulfillment**, as it directly quotes and applies [Psalm 118:22](/psalms/118-22 "Psalm 118:22 - The Stone the Builders Rejected"), showcasing how Old Testament prophecies find their ultimate meaning and realization in Jesus Christ.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 12:10 is a theological linchpin, asserting Christ's divine identity and sovereign exaltation despite human rejection. It underscores the profound truth that God's redemptive plan is immutable and will be accomplished, even by incorporating the very acts of opposition intended to thwart it. The verse reveals Jesus as the indispensable foundation of God's new covenant community, demonstrating that true spiritual building can only occur when Christ is recognized and embraced as the chief cornerstone. It challenges the presumption of human authority when it stands in opposition to divine revelation, highlighting the ultimate futility of resisting God's chosen Messiah.

* [Psalm 118:22-23](/psalms/118-22-23 "The Stone the Builders Rejected")
* [Acts 4:10-12](/acts/4-10-12 "Peter's Sermon on the Cornerstone")
* [Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19-22 "Christ as the Chief Cornerstone")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 12:10 serves as a timeless reminder of Christ's unparalleled importance in every aspect of life and faith. For believers, it affirms that our spiritual lives, our churches, and our understanding of God's truth must be built squarely upon Jesus Christ as the secure and guiding foundation. Any attempt to construct meaning, morality, or salvation apart from Him is destined to crumble, for He is the only true "head of the corner." This verse also offers immense encouragement, reminding us that even when we feel rejected, overlooked, or deemed insignificant by the world, God has a sovereign purpose for us, just as He did for His Son. Our value and position are determined by God's decree, not human judgment. For those who may be hesitant or resistant to Christ, the verse stands as a profound and gentle warning: neglecting or actively rejecting the one God has exalted as supreme has eternal consequences. Our response to Jesus—whether we receive Him as our cornerstone or stumble over Him—determines our spiritual standing and destiny.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be inadvertently "rejecting" Christ as the "head of the corner" by prioritizing other things or relying on my own wisdom?**
* **How does the truth that God exalts the rejected stone encourage me when I face personal rejection or feel overlooked?**
* **What does it mean practically to build my life, my family, or my community upon Jesus as the "head of the corner"?**

### FAQ
**What is the meaning of "head of the corner" in this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "head of the corner" (Greek: _kephalē gōnias_) refers to the most crucial stone in a building's construction. It can signify either the chief cornerstone, a large, precisely cut stone laid at the foundation's corner that dictates the alignment for the entire structure, or the capstone (or keystone), the topmost stone of an arch or pyramid that locks the entire structure together and bears its weight. In either interpretation, it symbolizes the most important, indispensable, and unifying element. Jesus, by quoting [Psalm 118:22](/psalms/118-22 "Psalm 118:22 - The Stone the Builders Rejected"), is declaring Himself to be this essential stone, the one whom the religious authorities ("the builders") rejected but whom God exalted to the position of ultimate preeminence and necessity for His spiritual temple, the Church.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 12:10 stands as a powerful Christ-centered declaration, revealing Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and the indispensable cornerstone of God's redemptive plan. The "stone which the builders rejected" is none other than Jesus, who, despite being crucified by the very religious leaders who should have recognized Him, was raised from the dead and exalted by God to the highest place. This rejection and subsequent exaltation perfectly align with the divine necessity of Christ's suffering and glory, as foretold in passages like [Luke 24:26-27](/luke/24-26-27 "Luke 24:26-27 - Christ's Suffering and Glory"). The New Testament consistently applies this "cornerstone" imagery to Jesus, emphasizing His foundational role in the Church, which is depicted as God's spiritual house built upon the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone ([Ephesians 2:20](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20 - Christ as the Chief Cornerstone")). He is not merely a part of the building; He is the one who gives it coherence, stability, and purpose. Furthermore, while He is precious to those who believe, He becomes a "stone of stumbling and a rock of offense" to those who reject Him, demonstrating that one's response to Jesus determines their eternal destiny ([1 Peter 2:7-8](/1_peter/2-7-8 "1 Peter 2:7-8 - Christ, a Stumbling Stone")). Thus, Mark 12:10 is a profound testament to Christ's sovereign authority, His redemptive work through suffering, and His ultimate position as the Head of the Church and the Lord of all creation, upon whom all true faith and salvation securely rest.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.