Mark 12 11

Mark 12:11 kjv

This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

Mark 12:11 nkjv

This was the LORD's doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes'?"

Mark 12:11 niv

the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes' ?"

Mark 12:11 esv

this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes'?"

Mark 12:11 nlt

This is the LORD's doing,
and it is wonderful to see.' "

Mark 12 verses

Mark 12 11 Meaning

Mark 12:11, "This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes," is a direct quotation from Psalm 118:23. It serves as the conclusion to the Parable of the Wicked Tenants. The verse emphasizes the divine origin and unexpected nature of God's plan, particularly regarding the identity and destiny of the "stone rejected by the builders" becoming the "cornerstone" (Ps 118:22). It reveals that the rejection of God's Son (Jesus) by human authorities, and His subsequent exaltation, is not a failure but a preordained and wondrous work of God Himself. It challenges human perception and asserts God's ultimate sovereignty.

Mark 12 11 Context

Mark 12:11 concludes the Parable of the Wicked Tenants (Mark 12:1-12), which Jesus spoke in the temple courts during His final week in Jerusalem. This parable is directly addressed to the chief priests, scribes, and elders (Mk 11:27), who had just challenged His authority.The parable portrays God as the vineyard owner, Israel as the vineyard, the prophets as the servants, and Jesus as the owner's beloved son. The tenants (representing the Jewish religious leaders and their predecessors) repeatedly reject and kill the servants, and ultimately, the son, in order to seize the inheritance. This direct challenge foreshadows Jesus' crucifixion. The subsequent reference to Psalm 118:22-23, particularly verse 11, profoundly explains the outcome: despite human rejection and perceived failure, the son will become the crucial "cornerstone," a testament to God's marvelous and sovereign plan. This was a clear polemic against the contemporary religious authorities, revealing their rejection of God's final messenger was part of God's mysterious divine design and would lead to their own downfall.

Mark 12 11 Word analysis

• This (οὗτος, houtos): This demonstrative pronoun refers directly to the event described in Psalm 118:22 — "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone." In the immediate context of Mark, "this" points to Jesus' destiny: His rejection by the Jewish leaders (the "builders") and His subsequent vindication and exaltation by God, making Him the central and indispensable figure ("cornerstone") for God's new spiritual house. Its significance lies in applying ancient prophecy directly to the unfolding events involving Jesus.
• was (ἐγένετο, egeneto): This aorist passive indicative of γίνομαι (ginomai) signifies that this event came to pass or happened. It's not a future possibility but a declared reality within God's plan. It emphasizes the accomplished nature of God's decree, contrasting with the human will to prevent it. This underscores the irresistible power and certainty of God's work.
• the Lord’s (παρὰ Κυρίου, para Kyriou):
  • παρὰ (para): A preposition meaning "from alongside," indicating origin or agency. This clearly identifies the source of this event.
  • Κυρίου (Kyriou): Genitive of Κύριος (Kyrios), meaning "Lord" or "Master." In the context of a Septuagint quote (from Psalm 118), Kyrios stands for Yahweh, the covenant name of God. This attribution of "Lord" to God the Father, as the orchestrator of salvation history, underscores His absolute sovereignty over human actions and historical outcomes. The phrase affirms divine authorship; this particular destiny of the rejected stone is God's initiative.
• doing (τοῦτο, touto): This neuter demonstrative pronoun "this" acts as the subject, modified by "was from the Lord." In essence, the phrase means "this very thing" (the rejected stone becoming cornerstone) "was from the Lord." It points to the entirety of the action or event as God's work, emphasizing the divine operation. It signifies God's deliberate and active intervention.
• and it is (καὶ ἔστιν, kai estin): "And" serves as a connective. "Is" (ἐστιν, estin), from εἰμί (eimi), is the present indicative of "to be," asserting a current state of being. The state of being "marvelous" is a present reality, directly linked to the Lord's doing.
• marvelous (θαυμαστή, thaumastē): From θαυμαστός (thaumastos), meaning "wonderful," "astonishing," "admirable," or "extraordinary." This describes the quality of God's action. What might seem tragic or contradictory to human logic (the rejection of God's son) is, from God's perspective and when understood by faith, truly awe-inspiring. It signifies God's paradoxical and often unexpected ways of achieving His purposes, which evoke wonder and praise in those who perceive them.
• in our eyes (ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς ἡμῶν, en ophthalmīs hēmōn):
  • ἐν (en): Preposition "in."
  • ὀφθαλμοῖς (ophthalmīs): Dative plural of ὀφθαλμός (ophthalmos), "eye."
  • ἡμῶν (hēmōn): Genitive plural of "we/us." This phrase qualifies "marvelous" from a human perspective. While God's work is intrinsically marvelous, it is perceived as such by those who genuinely understand and acknowledge its divine origin and significance. It implies that for those lacking spiritual insight (like the unrepentant builders), it would not be marvelous but rather offensive or foolish (as suggested by 1 Cor 1:23).

Words-group analysis:

• "This was the Lord's doing" (οὗτος ἐγένετο παρὰ Κυρίου τοῦτο): This phrase is a powerful declaration of divine sovereignty. It asserts that the most crucial event in redemptive history—the rejection and subsequent exaltation of Jesus—is not an accident or a consequence of human failing alone, but rather a direct and deliberate act orchestrated by God Himself. This phrase directly contradicts any notion that God's plans can be thwarted by human will or malice. It establishes the theological foundation that Christ's passion and resurrection were part of a pre-determined divine purpose, echoing Acts 2:23.
• "and it is marvelous in our eyes" (καὶ ἔστιν θαυμαστὴ ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς ἡμῶν): This segment acknowledges the human experience and perception of God's sovereign work. The divine plan, particularly Christ's work, is not only effective but also evokes awe and wonder in those who truly discern it. It is "marvelous" precisely because it defies human expectations, triumphs over apparent defeat, and accomplishes the seemingly impossible through unexpected means. For those with spiritual sight, God’s vindication of the rejected stone is a cause for profound astonishment and praise, standing in stark contrast to the disbelief or rejection of others.

Mark 12 11 Bonus section

The Chief Priests and other religious leaders would have recognized the quotation from Psalm 118 immediately. The irony is poignant: Jesus uses their own Scriptures to pronounce judgment upon them for their rejection of Him, implying that their very act of rejecting Him fulfilled prophecy. Their anger and desire to seize Him (Mark 12:12) demonstrate they understood the parable's reference to themselves, yet their hardened hearts prevented them from seeing the "marvelous" divine hand at work and repenting. The concept of God's surprising, seemingly paradoxical work is also echoed throughout the Bible, where what is weak or rejected by human standards is often chosen by God to accomplish His greatest feats (e.g., God choosing David, the youngest, or Jesus dying on a cross, a symbol of shame, to bring about redemption).

Mark 12 11 Commentary

Mark 12:11 succinctly captures a profound theological truth at the heart of the gospel: God's sovereign hand directs even the most paradoxical events to achieve His purposes. The verse, a quote from Psalm 118, signifies that the rejection and suffering of Jesus Christ, which culminated in His crucifixion, was not a defeat of God's plan but rather the precise means by which He intended to establish His Kingdom. This "doing" by "the Lord" culminates in the elevation of Christ as the indispensable "cornerstone," the foundational and unifying element of His church. For human observers, especially those who had anticipated a conquering Messiah, this sequence of rejection followed by divine vindication is truly "marvelous," evoking wonder and amazement because it transcends human wisdom and power. It highlights God's unsearchable ways, transforming a seeming tragedy into the glorious instrument of salvation, displaying His power and wisdom in a way that confounds conventional understanding. This divine orchestration ensures that the true "building" (the Church) rests not on human approval but solely on God's chosen foundation.