Devine Scripture

Luke 20:17

What does Luke 20:17 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 20:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 20:17 means

Jesus then looked directly at His audience, emphasizing the weight of His words, and quoted Psalm 118:22: "The stone which the builders rejected, The same was made the head of the corner." This Old Testament prophecy powerfully identifies Jesus Himself as the rejected Stone. The "builders" are the religious leaders who opposed and would ultimately reject Him. The "head of the corner" refers to the most important stone in a building, uniting two walls, signifying Christ's essential role as the foundation and cornerstone of God's new spiritual temple, the Church. The scripture reveals that their rejection, far from derailing God's plan, was integral to it, leading to His exaltation.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But he looked upon them, and said, What then is this that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, The same was made the head of the corner?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But he looked upon them, and said, What then is this that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, The same was made the head of the corner?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But he, looking on them, said, Is it not in the Writings, The stone which the builders put on one side, the same has become the chief stone of the building?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and he, having looked upon them, said, `What, then, is this that hath been written: A stone that the builders rejected--this became head of a corner?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But he looking on them, said: What is this then that is written, The stone, which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But he looking at them said, What then is this that is written, The stone which they that builded rejected, this has become the corner-stone?

Context

This verse immediately follows the resolution of the parable and the people's shocked reaction. Jesus now directly connects the parable's meaning to Old Testament prophecy, explicitly identifying Himself as the rejected stone. This quotation of Psalm 118 is a crucial interpretive key, bridging the parable to established scripture and setting the stage for the severe warning about the consequences of rejecting this cornerstone.

v.16He will come and destroy these husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid.

v.17This passage

v.18Every one that falleth on that stone shall be broken to pieces; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will scatter him as dust.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 22:61

    And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how that he said unto him, Before the cock crow this day thou shalt deny me thrice.

  • John 15:25

    But this cometh to pass, that the word may be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.

  • Zechariah 3:9

    For, behold, the stone that I have set before Joshua; upon one stone are seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith Jehovah of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.

  • Isaiah 28:16

    therefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner-stone of sure foundation: he that believeth shall not be in haste.

  • Luke 22:37

    For I say unto you, that this which is written must be fulfilled in me, And he was reckoned with transgressors: for that which concerneth me hath fulfilment.

  • Acts 4:11

    He is the stone which was set at nought of you the builders, which was made the head of the corner.

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