Matthew 21:44
What does Matthew 21:44 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 21:44 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 21:44 means
Jesus issued a severe warning about the consequences of rejecting Him, the "stone." He explained that those who "falleth on this stone" (stumble over Him in rejection) would be broken, experiencing spiritual destruction. Even more severe, those "on whomsoever it shall fall" (those against whom He, as the judging Stone, falls) would be utterly crushed and scattered like dust, facing complete divine judgment. This stark warning illustrates the two aspects of encountering Christ: stumbling in unbelief or being utterly destroyed by His judgment.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And he that falleth on this stone shall be broken to pieces: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will scatter him as dust.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And he that falleth on this stone shall be broken to pieces: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will scatter him as dust.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Any man falling on this stone will be broken, but he on whom it comes down will be crushed to dust.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and he who is falling on this stone shall be broken, and on whomsoever it may fall it will crush him to pieces.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it shall grind him to powder.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And he that falls on this stone shall be broken, but on whomsoever it shall fall, it shall grind him to powder.
Context
This verse expands upon the consequences of rejecting Jesus, directly following His declaration about the transfer of the Kingdom. It provides a vivid metaphorical description of the destructive power of the rejected Stone, further intensifying the warning. This warning immediately precedes the religious leaders' understanding of Jesus' true target in His parables.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Romans 9:33
even as it is written, Behold, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence: And he that believeth on him shall not be put to shame.
- Psalms 110:5
The Lord at thy right hand Will strike through kings in the day of his wrath.
- Luke 20:18
Every one that falleth on that stone shall be broken to pieces; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will scatter him as dust.
- Psalms 21:8
Thy hand will find out all thine enemies; Thy right hand will find out those that hate thee.
- Daniel 2:44
And in the days of those kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, nor shall the sovereignty thereof be left to another people; but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
- Hebrews 2:2
For if the word spoken through angels proved stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward;
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