Matthew 21:44

And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

And {G2532} whosoever shall fall {G4098} on {G1909} this {G5126} stone {G3037} shall be broken {G4917}: but {G1161} on {G1909} whomsoever {G3739}{G302} it shall fall {G4098}, it will grind {G3039} him {G846} to powder {G3039}.

Whoever falls on this stone will be broken in pieces; but if it falls on him, he will be crushed to powder!"

He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed.”

And he that falleth on this stone shall be broken to pieces: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will scatter him as dust.

Commentary

Commentary on Matthew 21:44 (KJV)

Matthew 21:44 concludes a powerful parable spoken by Jesus, often referred to as the Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen (Matthew 21:33-43). This verse serves as a stark warning and a declaration of Christ's ultimate authority and the consequences of rejecting Him.

Historical and Cultural Context

Immediately after Jesus recounts the parable, which clearly depicts Himself as the Son sent by God and the Jewish leaders as the rebellious husbandmen, He quotes Psalm 118:22 in Matthew 21:42: "The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner." Matthew 21:44 builds upon this imagery, directly addressing the implications of one's response to this "stone." The audience, primarily the chief priests and Pharisees, understood the Old Testament prophetic significance of a "stone" representing God's chosen one or His kingdom.

The imagery of a stone causing someone to "fall" or "grinding to powder" draws heavily from prophetic literature. The idea of a stumbling stone and rock of offense is found in Isaiah 8:14-15, where many would stumble and be broken. The concept of a stone grinding kingdoms to powder comes from Daniel 2:34-35 and 44-45, where a stone cut without hands represents God's eternal kingdom that will utterly destroy all earthly kingdoms.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Jesus as the Divine "Stone": The central theme is Jesus Christ Himself, presented as the indispensable "stone" of God's redemptive plan. He is either the foundation upon which one builds faith or the rock upon which one stumbles.
  • Two Forms of Judgment: The verse outlines two distinct types of consequences based on one's interaction with Christ:
    • "Whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken": This refers to those who stumble over Christ, reject His teachings, or are offended by His identity. It implies a self-inflicted spiritual breaking or judgment for those who refuse to believe and submit to Him.
    • "On whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder": This signifies a far more severe and ultimate judgment. It speaks of Christ's overwhelming power and authority descending upon those who actively oppose Him, persecute His followers, or stubbornly resist God's kingdom. This is a judgment of complete destruction and utter defeat for the enemies of God.
  • The Inevitability of God's Kingdom: The verse underscores the unstoppable advance of God's kingdom. Just as the stone in Daniel 2 obliterates all other kingdoms, so too will Christ's reign ultimately prevail, bringing judgment upon all who stand against it.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "broken" (synthlasthesetai - συνθλασθήσεται) means to be crushed or shattered. It implies a severe, damaging impact. The phrase "grind him to powder" uses the Greek word likmēsei (λικμήσει), which literally means "to winnow" or "to scatter like chaff." This imagery is powerfully destructive, suggesting complete pulverization and dispersal, leaving nothing substantial behind. It evokes the finality of ultimate judgment, similar to how grain is separated from chaff and then scattered.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a profound warning and a call to humble submission to Jesus Christ. Our eternal destiny hinges on our response to Him. Do we acknowledge Him as the cornerstone, building our lives upon His truth and grace? Or do we stumble over Him in unbelief, rejecting His authority and suffering the spiritual consequences? Ultimately, for those who persistently oppose Him, the verse paints a vivid picture of the inevitable and devastating judgment that will come upon all who refuse to bend the knee to the King of Kings.

It encourages believers to stand firm on the solid foundation of Christ and warns unbelievers of the dire consequences of rejecting God's Son. The choice presented is clear: either one is broken by stumbling over Christ in unbelief, or one is utterly crushed when Christ's judgment falls upon them in His sovereign power.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 8:14

    And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

  • Isaiah 8:15

    And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.

  • 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.

  • Daniel 2:34

    Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet [that were] of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces.

  • Daniel 2:35

    Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.

  • Daniel 2:44

    And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, [but] it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

  • Daniel 2:45

    Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream [is] certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.
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