Luke 20:17 - But he looked at them, and said, “Then what is this that is written, ‘The stone which the builders rejected, the same was made the chief cornerstone?’ Psalm 118:22
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What does "Luke 20:17" mean?
Luke 20:17 is part of a larger parable Jesus tells, often called the Parable of the Wicked Tenants. To understand the verse, we need some context:
The Parable: Jesus tells a story about a landowner who leases his vineyard to tenants. He sends servants to collect his share of the harvest, but the tenants beat and kill the servants. Finally, he sends his own beloved son, thinking they will respect him, but the tenants kill him, hoping to inherit the vineyard.
Interpretation of the Parable: The landowner represents God, the vineyard represents Israel (or the Kingdom of God), the tenants represent the religious leaders (chief priests, scribes, and elders), the servants represent the prophets, and the son represents Jesus himself.
Meaning of Luke 20:17:
After telling the parable, Jesus poses the question: "What then will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants?" The listeners answer that the owner will destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others. (Luke 20:16)
Jesus's Response: Jesus then looks at them and quotes Psalm 118:22: "The stone which the builders rejected, the same was made the chief cornerstone."
Explanation:
The Stone: The "stone" is a metaphor for Jesus himself.
The Builders: The "builders" are the Jewish religious leaders who rejected Jesus as the Messiah. They didn't recognize his authority, his teachings, or his divine nature.
Rejected: The religious leaders actively opposed Jesus, denied his messianic claims, and ultimately orchestrated his crucifixion. They rejected him as the foundation of the Kingdom of God.
Chief Cornerstone: Despite their rejection, God would elevate Jesus to the position of the "chief cornerstone." This cornerstone is the most important stone in a building, providing the foundation and support for the entire structure. It symbolizes Jesus's ultimate authority, his role as the foundation of the Church, and his triumph over death and rejection.
In essence, the verse means:
Even though the Jewish leaders rejected Jesus, God would vindicate him and make him the central figure in his plan of salvation.
Their rejection would not thwart God's purpose; instead, it would be part of the process by which Jesus becomes the foundation of a new spiritual building (the Church) built on faith in him.
The verse is a prophecy of Jesus's rejection, crucifixion, and subsequent exaltation. It is also a warning to those who reject him, implying that they will face consequences.
Significance:
Fulfillment of Prophecy: It shows how Jesus saw himself as fulfilling Old Testament prophecies.
Reversal of Expectations: It highlights the irony that the one rejected by those in power would become the most important and honored.
Centrality of Christ: It underscores the foundational role of Jesus in Christianity. He is the cornerstone upon which the Church is built and through whom salvation is achieved.
The verse is a powerful reminder that God's ways are often different from human expectations, and that even rejection and suffering can be part of his larger plan.
Luke 20:17 - But he looked at them, and said, “Then what is this that is written, ‘The stone which the builders rejected, the same was made the chief cornerstone?’ Psalm 118:22
What does "Luke 20:17" mean?
Luke 20:17 is part of a larger parable Jesus tells, often called the Parable of the Wicked Tenants. To understand the verse, we need some context:
The Parable: Jesus tells a story about a landowner who leases his vineyard to tenants. He sends servants to collect his share of the harvest, but the tenants beat and kill the servants. Finally, he sends his own beloved son, thinking they will respect him, but the tenants kill him, hoping to inherit the vineyard.
Interpretation of the Parable: The landowner represents God, the vineyard represents Israel (or the Kingdom of God), the tenants represent the religious leaders (chief priests, scribes, and elders), the servants represent the prophets, and the son represents Jesus himself.
Meaning of Luke 20:17:
After telling the parable, Jesus poses the question: "What then will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants?" The listeners answer that the owner will destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others. (Luke 20:16)
Jesus's Response: Jesus then looks at them and quotes Psalm 118:22: "The stone which the builders rejected, the same was made the chief cornerstone."
Explanation:
The Stone: The "stone" is a metaphor for Jesus himself.
The Builders: The "builders" are the Jewish religious leaders who rejected Jesus as the Messiah. They didn't recognize his authority, his teachings, or his divine nature.
Rejected: The religious leaders actively opposed Jesus, denied his messianic claims, and ultimately orchestrated his crucifixion. They rejected him as the foundation of the Kingdom of God.
Chief Cornerstone: Despite their rejection, God would elevate Jesus to the position of the "chief cornerstone." This cornerstone is the most important stone in a building, providing the foundation and support for the entire structure. It symbolizes Jesus's ultimate authority, his role as the foundation of the Church, and his triumph over death and rejection.
In essence, the verse means:
Even though the Jewish leaders rejected Jesus, God would vindicate him and make him the central figure in his plan of salvation.
Their rejection would not thwart God's purpose; instead, it would be part of the process by which Jesus becomes the foundation of a new spiritual building (the Church) built on faith in him.
The verse is a prophecy of Jesus's rejection, crucifixion, and subsequent exaltation. It is also a warning to those who reject him, implying that they will face consequences.
Significance:
Fulfillment of Prophecy: It shows how Jesus saw himself as fulfilling Old Testament prophecies.
Reversal of Expectations: It highlights the irony that the one rejected by those in power would become the most important and honored.
Centrality of Christ: It underscores the foundational role of Jesus in Christianity. He is the cornerstone upon which the Church is built and through whom salvation is achieved.
The verse is a powerful reminder that God's ways are often different from human expectations, and that even rejection and suffering can be part of his larger plan.