Chapter

Luke 20:17

ESV But he looked directly at them and said, "What then is this that is written: "‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’?
NIV Jesus looked directly at them and asked, "Then what is the meaning of that which is written: " ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’ ?
NASB But Jesus looked at them and said, 'Then what is this statement that has been written: ‘A STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS HAS BECOME THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE’?
CSB But he looked at them and said, "Then what is the meaning of this Scripture: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone?
NLT Jesus looked at them and said, 'Then what does this Scripture mean? ‘The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’
KJV 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
NKJV Then He looked at them and said, “What then is this that is written: ‘The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone’?

What does Luke 20:17 mean?

This establishes the moral of the parable of the wicked tenants (Luke 20:9–16). In the story, a landowner hired workers to care for his vineyard. When he sent his son to collect some of the grapes, the tenants killed him, thinking they would now inherit the land. In the same way, God has established religious, legal, and civil leaders to ensure the people properly worship Him and live according to His ways. Now, He has sent His Son. Those leaders will kill His Son to keep control over the people: religiously, legally, and civilly.

After the tenants kill the son, the landowner returns, destroys the tenants, and finds new farmers for his vineyard. About less than forty years after the Jewish leaders kill Jesus, God allows the Romans to destroy the temple and Jerusalem and send the surviving priests and scribes into exile.

Jesus doesn't give specifics, but the people can't understand how God could take the Jewish leaders out of power. Jesus explains that it's because of Him. He is the cornerstone of God's kingdom. God's kingdom is built on Him. The Jewish leaders can reject Him all they want, but it makes no difference. He quotes Psalm 118:22. The stanza talks about how the righteous will enter the gate of Yahweh, that God is their salvation, it is His doing only, it is marvelous and worthy of rejoicing (Psalm 118:19–24).

The Jewish leaders may kill the Son, but that doesn't stop God's plan. He is the foundation of a new manifestation of God's people: the church (1 Corinthians 3:11; Ephesians 2:20).
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