Mark 12:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Have you not read this Scripture: "‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone;

NIV: Haven’t you read this passage of Scripture: " ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone;

NASB: Have you not even read this Scripture: ‘A STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS HAS BECOME THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE;

CSB: Haven’t you read this Scripture: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.

NLT: Didn’t you ever read this in the Scriptures? ‘The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.

KJV: And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner:

NKJV: Have you not even read this Scripture: ‘The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone.

Mark 12:10–11 is a direct quote of the Septuagint version of Psalm 118:22–23. Jewish tradition states that the "stone" was rejected for use in building the temple sanctuary but became essential for the porch. It's unclear if the stone is for the cornerstone of the foundation or the keystone of the arch. Rabbis taught that the stone represented either Abraham, David, or the Messiah, and often interpreted "the builders" to mean the experts of the Mosaic law.

The sanctuary of the temple is the interior portion behind the altar. This includes steps, a vestibule, the nave, and the Holy of Holies. The porch is the main entrance to the temple on the east end. Ezekiel saw a vision in which the glory of the Lord will pass through the East Gate and enter the temple through the porch (Ezekiel 43:1–5). That the stone was rejected from being a part of the sanctuary means the Jewish religious leaders reject Jesus as a significant part of their religion and relationship with God. That same stone becomes a part of the porch, through which all God-followers will be welcomed. God is not stymied by our misinterpretations of His will, whether intentional or by mistake. He will fulfill His plan and when we look back, we will call it "marvelous" (Mark 12:11).

Mark 12:1–12 takes place days before the crucifixion, while Jesus is in the temple courtyard, teaching. Chief priests, elders, and scribes—representatives of the Sanhedrin—have demanded to know the source of Jesus' authority to cleanse the Temple (Mark 11:27–28, 15–19). After exposing their hypocrisy, Jesus tells at least three additional stories that show how God will replace falsely-pious religious leaders with sinners who truly follow Him (Matthew 21:28—22:14). The second of these three stories is recorded here, in Matthew 21:33–46, and in Luke 20:9–19.

This chapter contains lessons taught by Jesus in various circumstances. He explains the eventual destruction of traditional Judaism, the relationship between secular and sacred obligations, the nature of the resurrection, and the most important of God's commandments. Jesus also expounds on Messianic statements in the Old Testament. Jesus also condemns the glory-seeking shallowness of the scribes, and extolls the virtues of sincere, faith-based giving.

Days before, Jesus has entered Jerusalem, hailed as a hero by the people (Mark 11:1–11). While teaching in the temple courtyard, Jesus shows superior understanding of Scripture over the chief priests, scribes, and elders (Mark 12:27–33), the Pharisees and Herodians (Mark 12:13), the Sadducees (Mark 12:18), and the scribes again (Mark 12:35, 38). Sadly, even in the instance where a scribe does understand Scripture, that is no guarantee he will follow it to its logical conclusion: Jesus (Mark 12:28–34). In contrast, a humble widow exemplifies the faithfulness and piety the leaders lack (Mark 12:41–44). Jesus leaves the temple for the last time to teach the disciples on the Mount of Olives (Mark 13). In Mark 14, He prepares for the crucifixion.

The Gospel of Mark emphasizes both Jesus' servanthood and His role as the promised Messiah: the Son of God. This is done through a concise, action-packed style. Mark provides relatively few details, instead focusing on actions and simple statements. This relates to the Gospel's authorship, which is believed to be based on the memories of the apostle Peter. These include many of Jesus' miracles, in contrast to other Gospels which include many more of Jesus' teachings and parables. Mark also makes frequent mention of Jesus' ministry being misunderstood by others.