Matthew 21:42

KJV

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?

KJV (with Strong's)

Jesus {G2424} saith {G3004} unto them {G846}, Did ye {G314} never {G3763} read {G314} in {G1722} the scriptures {G1124}, The stone {G3037} which {G3739} the builders {G3618} rejected {G593}, the same {G3778} is become {G1096}{G1519} the head {G2776} of the corner {G1137}: this {G3778} is {G3844} the Lord's {G2962} doing {G1096}, and {G2532} it is {G2076} marvellous {G2298} in {G1722} our {G2257} eyes {G3788}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Yeshua said to them, "Haven't you ever read in the Tanakh, `The very rock which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone! This has come from ADONAI, and in our eyes it is amazing'?

Berean Standard Bible

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’?

American Standard Version

Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, The same was made the head of the corner; This was from the Lord, And it is marvellous in our eyes?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Jesus confronts the Jewish religious leaders with a powerful rhetorical question, quoting from Psalm 118:22-23. He reveals a profound spiritual truth: though He, the Messiah, would be rejected and disdained by those who should have recognized Him, God would sovereignly exalt Him to the most crucial position—the "head of the corner"—in His divine plan. This declaration serves as both a direct indictment of their spiritual blindness and a marvelous testament to God's unexpected and perfect work in establishing His kingdom through His Son.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within Jesus' final week in Jerusalem, a period marked by intense confrontation with the Jewish religious establishment. It immediately follows the [Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers](/matthew/21-33-41 "Matthew 21:33-41 - The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers"), where Jesus vividly portrays the history of Israel's rejection of God's prophets and, ultimately, His Son. The chief priests and Pharisees understood that Jesus was speaking about them ([Matthew 21:45](/matthew/21-45 "Matthew 21:45 - The Leaders Understand the Parable")), and this quotation from [Psalm 118](/psalm/118 "Psalm 118 - A Psalm of Thanksgiving and Messianic Prophecy") serves as Jesus' direct, undeniable application of the parable's truth to their present actions. It underscores His messianic claim and foreshadows His impending crucifixion and subsequent resurrection and exaltation. This exchange is part of a larger series of challenges to Jesus' authority in [Matthew 21](/matthew/21 "Matthew 21 - Jesus' Authority Challenged") and [Matthew 22](/matthew/22 "Matthew 22 - Jesus' Debates with Religious Leaders").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern construction, the "head of the corner" (or chief cornerstone) was the most vital stone in a building. It was often the first stone laid, setting the alignment and ensuring the stability and integrity of the entire structure. Alternatively, it could refer to the capstone, the topmost stone that united two walls at an angle, completing the edifice. The Jewish religious leaders saw themselves as the "builders" of God's people, responsible for guiding Israel in accordance with God's law. Their rejection of Jesus, therefore, was a profound spiritual failure, akin to a builder discarding the very stone essential for the structure's foundation or completion. The quotation from [Psalm 118:22-23](/psalm/118-22-23 "Psalm 118:22-23 - The Rejected Stone Prophecy") was a well-known passage, understood by many as having messianic implications, making Jesus' application of it to Himself a direct and provocative claim to be the promised Messiah.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several key theological and narrative themes. The central theme is **Rejection and Exaltation**, illustrating the paradoxical truth that what human authorities deem worthless, God exalts to supreme importance. It highlights the **Divine Sovereignty** of God, demonstrating that His plan will prevail despite human opposition and evil intent; Jesus' rejection was not an accident but part of God's predetermined will. Furthermore, it underscores Jesus' **Messianic Identity** and the **Fulfillment of Prophecy**, as Jesus explicitly identifies Himself with the "stone" of [Psalm 118](/psalm/118 "Psalm 118 - A Psalm of Thanksgiving and Messianic Prophecy"). The passage also subtly touches upon the **Authority of Scripture**, as Jesus appeals to the Old Testament as the ultimate arbiter of truth, challenging the leaders' understanding and application of their own sacred texts. Finally, it implies a theme of **Judgment** for those who reject the cornerstone, as their actions lead to their own undoing.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **stone (Greek, _líthos'_):** This term (G3037) refers to a literal stone, but here it is used metaphorically to represent a person. In the context of building, it signifies a foundational or structural element. Jesus' use of "stone" directly alludes to [Psalm 118:22](/psalm/118-22 "Psalm 118:22 - The Rejected Stone"), clearly identifying Himself as the divinely appointed, yet humanly rejected, essential component of God's spiritual edifice.
* **rejected (Greek, _apodokimázō'_):** This verb (G593) means "to disapprove" or "to repudiate." It implies a deliberate act of casting aside something deemed unfit or unworthy after examination. The "builders" (the Jewish religious leaders) consciously chose to disallow or reject Jesus, highlighting their active role in His condemnation, despite His divine credentials.
* **corner (Greek, _gōnía'_):** This noun (G1137) literally means "an angle." In architecture, the "head of the corner" (or chief cornerstone) was the most important stone in a building's foundation, laid at the corner to align and support the entire structure, or the capstone that completed and united the walls at the apex. Its significance underscores Jesus' indispensable role as the foundational and unifying element of God's new spiritual temple, the Church.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures":** Jesus initiates His statement with a rhetorical question, directly challenging the religious leaders. By asking if they "never read" the Scriptures, He exposes their spiritual blindness and hypocrisy, implying they should have known this prophecy and recognized its fulfillment in Him. It's an appeal to the very authority they claimed to uphold.
* **"The stone which the builders rejected":** This clause directly identifies Jesus with the "stone" of [Psalm 118:22](/psalm/118-22 "Psalm 118:22 - The Rejected Stone Prophecy"). The "builders" are the Jewish religious leaders—the chief priests, elders, and scribes—who, despite their responsibility to guide Israel, actively rejected and condemned Jesus, deeming Him unworthy or dangerous.
* **"the same is become the head of the corner":** This is the paradoxical fulfillment. The very one they rejected has been exalted by God to the most crucial position. The "head of the corner" signifies Jesus' supreme importance as the foundational and unifying element of God's new covenant community, the Church. His rejection by humans led to His divine exaltation.
* **"this is the Lord's doing":** This phrase emphatically declares that Jesus' rejection and subsequent exaltation are not random occurrences but are entirely orchestrated by God's sovereign will. It underscores the divine purpose behind these events, revealing God's active hand in fulfilling His redemptive plan.
* **"and it is marvellous in our eyes?":** The concluding phrase, also from [Psalm 118:23](/psalm/118-23 "Psalm 118:23 - A Marvelous Work of the Lord"), expresses the awe and wonder at God's unexpected and glorious work. What humans dismissed as worthless, God transformed into the most precious and indispensable element, a truly astonishing display of divine power, wisdom, and reversal of human judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Jesus employs several potent **literary devices** in [Matthew 21:42](/matthew/21-42 "Matthew 21:42 - The Rejected Stone") to convey His message. The most prominent is **Allusion/Quotation**, as He directly quotes from [Psalm 118:22-23](/psalm/118-22-23 "Psalm 118:22-23 - The Rejected Stone Prophecy"), a well-known messianic passage, to validate His claims and indict His listeners from their own sacred texts. This quotation functions as a powerful **Metaphor** and **Symbolism**, where "the stone" represents Jesus Himself, "the builders" symbolize the Jewish religious leaders, and "the head of the corner" signifies Jesus' ultimate, indispensable, and foundational role in God's kingdom. There is also profound **Irony** in the fact that the very individuals entrusted with building God's spiritual house reject the most essential component. Furthermore, Jesus uses a **Rhetorical Question** ("Did ye never read in the scriptures?") not to elicit information, but to challenge and expose the spiritual ignorance and willful blindness of His adversaries, forcing them to confront their own understanding of prophecy and their role in its fulfillment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 21:42 is a cornerstone (pun intended) for understanding Christology, the nature of God's sovereignty, and the foundation of the Church. It reveals Jesus' self-understanding as the divinely appointed Messiah, whose rejection by human authorities was not a defeat but a necessary step in God's redemptive plan. This paradox—that the despised and rejected would become the most vital—underscores God's ability to work through human sin and opposition to accomplish His perfect will. It speaks to the absolute centrality of Christ in salvation history and in the life of every believer, emphasizing that there is no other foundation upon which true faith or the Church can be built. The "marvelous" nature of God's doing highlights His unexpected wisdom and power, which often operates contrary to human expectations and judgments.

* [Acts 4:11](/acts/4-11 "Acts 4:11 - Peter's Sermon to the Sanhedrin")
* [1 Peter 2:7-8](/1_peter/2-7-8 "1 Peter 2:7-8 - Christ, the Living Stone")
* [Ephesians 2:20](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20 - Christ as the Chief Cornerstone of the Church")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Matthew 21:42](/matthew/21-42 "Matthew 21:42 - The Rejected Stone") calls us to profound self-examination regarding our own relationship with Jesus Christ. Just as the builders of old rejected the most vital stone, we too can, in subtle or overt ways, reject Christ's rightful place as the "head of the corner" in our lives. This might manifest as relying on our own wisdom, pursuing worldly foundations, or allowing anything other than Christ to be the ultimate authority and source of stability. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that true spiritual life and secure faith are built exclusively upon Him. For those who feel rejected or overlooked by the world, it offers immense comfort: God often chooses what the world dismisses to accomplish His greatest purposes, exalting the humble and making the seemingly insignificant indispensable. It reassures us that despite human failings or widespread opposition, God's sovereign plan for His Son and His kingdom will always prevail, a truth that should fill us with both awe and unwavering confidence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be "rejecting" Christ, perhaps by not allowing Him to be the foundational "cornerstone" of my decisions, relationships, or aspirations?**
* **How does the truth of God's sovereign plan, even amidst human rejection, bring me comfort or challenge in my current circumstances?**
* **What does it mean practically to build my life, my church, or my community upon Jesus as the "head of the corner," ensuring His centrality in all things?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "head of the corner" (or chief cornerstone)?**

Answer: In ancient architecture, the "head of the corner" (Greek: _kephalē gōnias_) was the most crucial stone in a building. It could be the foundational stone laid at the corner, which set the alignment and stability for the entire structure, ensuring that all other stones were properly placed. Alternatively, it could refer to the capstone, the topmost stone that united two walls at their apex, completing and securing the edifice. Spiritually, it signifies Jesus' indispensable and supreme role. He is the **foundation** upon which the entire spiritual building of God's kingdom and the Church is built, and He is the **unifying element** that holds all believers together. To reject Him is to reject the very possibility of a stable and complete spiritual structure.

**Why did Jesus quote Psalm 118 in this context?**

Answer: Jesus quoted [Psalm 118:22-23](/psalm/118-22-23 "Psalm 118:22-23 - The Rejected Stone Prophecy") for several profound reasons. First, it was a well-known messianic psalm, and by quoting it, Jesus was directly asserting His own messianic identity to the religious leaders. He was claiming to be the long-awaited "stone" that God would exalt. Second, it served as a direct indictment of the leaders themselves, who, as "builders" of Israel, were rejecting God's chosen Messiah, just as the psalm foretold. He was using their own sacred texts to expose their spiritual blindness and culpability. Third, it underscored the theme of divine sovereignty, emphasizing that His rejection and subsequent exaltation were not accidental but part of God's marvelous and predetermined plan, as revealed in Scripture.

**Who are "the builders" in this verse?**

Answer: In the immediate context of [Matthew 21:42](/matthew/21-42 "Matthew 21:42 - The Rejected Stone"), "the builders" primarily refer to the Jewish religious leaders of Jesus' day: the chief priests, elders, and scribes. These were the spiritual authorities and custodians of God's law and people. They were responsible for guiding Israel in accordance with God's will, effectively "building" the nation's spiritual life. However, instead of recognizing and embracing Jesus as the Messiah, they rejected Him, sought to discredit Him, and ultimately orchestrated His crucifixion. This act of rejection demonstrates their profound spiritual blindness and their failure in their God-given role.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[Matthew 21:42](/matthew/21-42 "Matthew 21:42 - The Rejected Stone") stands as a profound Christ-centered prophecy and declaration, finding its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus' entire redemptive work. His rejection by the religious leaders and the nation of Israel, culminating in His crucifixion, was the very act through which God accomplished salvation. As the "stone which the builders rejected," Jesus endured the ultimate scorn and suffering, fulfilling prophecies like that found in [Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - He was despised and rejected by men"). Yet, it was precisely through this rejection and His subsequent death that He became the "head of the corner"—exalted through His glorious resurrection and ascension, demonstrating God's sovereign reversal of human judgment. He is now the living, indispensable foundation of the Church, His body, connecting both Jew and Gentile into one spiritual temple ([Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19-22 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - Fellow Citizens with the Saints and Members of God's Household")). Every believer is a "living stone" built upon Him, the chief cornerstone ([1 Peter 2:4-5](/1_peter/2-4-5 "1 Peter 2:4-5 - Living Stones and a Spiritual House")), and it is through His perfect sacrifice and His ongoing headship that God's marvelous plan of redemption is realized and sustained for all eternity ([Colossians 1:18](/colossians/1-18 "Colossians 1:18 - Christ, the Head of the Body, the Church")).

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.

Isaiah 28:16

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner [stone], a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

Acts 4:11

This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

1 Peter 2:4

¶ To whom coming, [as unto] a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, [and] precious,

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.

Ephesians 2:20

And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone];