Matthew 21 42

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?

Matthew 21:42 nkjv

Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: 'The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the LORD's doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes'?

Matthew 21:42 niv

Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: "?'The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes' ?

Matthew 21:42 esv

Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: "'The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes'?

Matthew 21:42 nlt

Then Jesus asked them, "Didn't you ever read this in the Scriptures? 'The stone that the builders rejected
has now become the cornerstone.
This is the LORD's doing,
and it is wonderful to see.'

Matthew 21 verses

Matthew 21 42 Meaning

Matthew 21:42 presents Jesus's direct confrontation with the Jewish religious leaders, quoting Psalm 118:22-23. In this verse, Jesus identifies Himself as the "stone"—the promised Messiah—whom the "builders"—the very spiritual leaders entrusted with Israel's spiritual construction—rejected and cast aside. Despite their rejection, God exalted Him to be the "cornerstone," the most essential and foundational stone in a new spiritual edifice. This divine reversal demonstrates God's sovereign power and marvelous plan for salvation, revealing that what humans discard, God elevates for His glory and for the true building of His kingdom.

Matthew 21 42 Context

Matthew 21:42 is situated immediately after Jesus tells the Parable of the Wicked Tenants (Matthew 21:33-41). In this parable, a landowner (God) leases his vineyard (Israel) to tenants (Jewish leaders) and repeatedly sends servants (prophets) to collect fruit, but they are mistreated or killed. Finally, he sends his beloved son (Jesus), whom the tenants also kill, hoping to seize his inheritance. Jesus then asks the chief priests and elders (His immediate audience) what should be done to these wicked tenants, and they unknowingly condemn themselves, declaring that the wicked tenants should be put to a miserable end and the vineyard leased to others who will produce its fruits. Verse 42 serves as Jesus's direct, conclusive explanation and application of the parable, explicitly identifying Himself as the rejected "stone" and confirming the transfer of the kingdom's stewardship from them. This confrontation occurs during Holy Week, intensifying the conflict between Jesus and the religious authorities as He publicly asserts His messianic claims.

Matthew 21 42 Word analysis

• Jesus said to them: Highlights Jesus's authority in delivering this decisive message directly to the chief priests and elders (Matt 21:23).
• Have you never read (οὐδέποτε ἀνέγνωτε - oudepote anegnōte): A rhetorical question appealing to their own presumed knowledge of Scripture. It implies either ignorance, willful blindness, or a failure to grasp the true meaning of the texts they supposedly upheld. This phrase signifies a strong rebuke.
• in the Scriptures (ἐν ταῖς γραφαῖς - en tais graphais): Refers specifically to the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), which was the undisputed sacred text for the Jewish leaders. Jesus holds them accountable to their own foundational religious writings.
• ‘The stone (λίθον - lithon): A foundational or building stone. Initially generic, but the subsequent phrase reveals its profound, unique identity.
• that the builders (οἰκοδομοῦντες - oikodomountes): Refers to those responsible for constructing or establishing the people of God, Israel. In the immediate context, this clearly points to the Jewish religious leaders (chief priests, elders, Pharisees, scribes) who were perceived as the spiritual architects and guardians of God's house (Israel).
• rejected (ἀπεδοκίμασαν - apedokimasan): Literally "disapproved after testing," or "cast away as unfit/unacceptable." This Greek term implies a careful examination or assessment, followed by a deliberate and formal rejection. It signifies their conscious decision to discredit and cast aside Jesus as the Messiah, despite His signs and teachings.
• has become the cornerstone (κεφαλὴν γωνίας - kephalēn gōnias): A critically important phrase. Kephalēn (head) and gōnias (corner) combined denote the most crucial stone in a building. This can refer to either the chief foundational stone that sets the alignment for the entire structure, or the capstone/key stone that crowns an arch and binds the whole building together, or even both. Regardless, it signifies Jesus's supreme and indispensable position. What man rejected, God exalted to the most preeminent and integrating role.
• this was the Lord’s doing (παρὰ Κυρίου ἐγένετο - para Kyriou egeneto): Emphasizes divine agency. This transformation from rejected stone to cornerstone is not accidental or humanly contrived but entirely a sovereign act of God (Kyrios - the Lord). It underscores God's overriding plan and power, turning human malice into divine glory.
• and it is marvelous (θαυμαστὴ - thaumastē): Amazing, wonderful, admirable. This expresses the wonder and astonishment at God's profound and counter-intuitive work. The exaltation of the rejected one is a miraculous demonstration of divine wisdom and power.
• in our eyes: Refers to those who truly understand and believe God's redemptive plan. While the Jewish leaders failed to see, those with spiritual insight (disciples, true believers) recognize the divine hand in Jesus's destiny and marvel at it.

Matthew 21 42 Bonus section

• The term "cornerstone" (kephalēn gōnias) points not just to a single, specific stone but encompasses a multifaceted role of Christ: He is the foundational stone (setting the blueprint), the connecting stone (uniting Jew and Gentile), the integrating stone (bringing all elements together), and ultimately the consummating capstone (completing the structure).
• Jesus's use of Psalm 118:22-23 highlights the continuity between Old Testament prophecy and New Testament fulfillment. It's a testament to the fact that God's plan was laid out from eternity, unfolding precisely as He purposed, despite or even through human rebellion.
• This verse stands as a powerful prophetic utterance concerning Jesus's crucifixion (rejection by the builders) and His subsequent resurrection and ascension (exaltation to the cornerstone), events that would validate His messianic claims to all who had eyes to see.
• The "builders" are often seen as symbolic of human wisdom, self-righteousness, and systems that attempt to construct spiritual realities apart from or in opposition to God's chosen foundation. Their failure emphasizes the futility of human effort in building God's kingdom without recognizing and submitting to Christ.

Matthew 21 42 Commentary

Matthew 21:42 is a pivotal declaration by Jesus, serving as a climactic interpretive key to His earlier parables and an indictment of the religious establishment. By quoting Psalm 118, a messianic psalm of celebration and pilgrimage, Jesus powerfully identifies Himself as the prophesied Messiah, the essential "stone" rejected by the very "builders"—the chief priests and elders—who should have recognized and honored Him. Their rejection, far from thwarting God's plan, ironically fulfilled it. God's divine act transformed this despised stone into the indispensable "cornerstone" or "head of the corner" for His new spiritual temple—the Church. This speaks to the absolute supremacy and foundational necessity of Christ; apart from Him, there is no true building of God's Kingdom. The phrase "this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes" highlights the sovereign power and counter-intuitive wisdom of God, who accomplishes His will even through human resistance, turning the intended defeat into a glorious victory. It marvels at God's ability to take human scorn and weave it into the fabric of salvation history, ensuring that the true spiritual edifice rests on the cornerstone whom He Himself has appointed.