Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Luke 20:17
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?
17. he beheld them ] Rather, looking fixedly on them, to add solemnity to His reference to their own Scriptures.
that is written ] He here refers them to the very Psalm from which the Hosanna of the multitude had been taken.
The stone which the builders rejected ] This is a quotation from Psa 118:22, comp. Isa 28:16. The stone is regarded both as a foundation-stone, and a stone at the angle of the building, binding the two walls together. These words made a deep impression on St Peter (1Pe 2:7-8).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
17-19. written(in Psa 118:22;Psa 118:23. See on Lu19:38). The Kingdom of God is here a Temple, in the erection ofwhich a certain stone, rejected as unsuitable by the spiritualbuilders, is, by the great Lord of the House, made the keystone ofthe whole. On that Stone the builders were now “falling”and being “broken” (Isa8:15), “sustaining great spiritual hurt; but soon that Stoneshould fall upon them and grind them to powder” (Dan 2:34;Dan 2:35; Zec 12:3)in their corporate capacity in the tremendous destructionof Jerusalem, but personally, as unbelievers, in a more awfulsense still.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And he beheld them,…. Looked very earnestly and wistly at them, speaking as it were by his looks, signifying, that verily so it would be, as he had said; that they would reject the Messiah, and put him to death, and bring utter ruin upon themselves, and deprive their posterity of many advantages and privileges:
and said, what is this then that is written; that is, what else is the meaning of such a Scripture? is not the sense of that perfectly agreeable to what has been said, that the Messiah shall be rejected by the principal men among the Jews in church and state, and yet he shall be exalted, who will then take vengeance on them?
the stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? The passage is in Ps 118:22.
[See comments on Mt 21:42].
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
He looked upon them ( ). Not in Mark and Matthew. First aorist active participle of , to look on. It was a piercing glance. The scripture quoted is from Ps 118:22 and is in Mark 11:10; Matt 21:42, which see for the inverted attraction of the case (stone) to that of the relative (which).
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
The stone, etc. See on 1Pe 2:4 – 7.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “And he beheld them, and said,” (ho de emblepsas autois eipen) “Then he, while looking at them, said,” as He fixed His eyes upon them, to watch their reaction as He quoted a prophecy from the Scriptures which they claimed to believe, but did not comprehend being of the flesh, unregenerate, 1Co 2:9; Joh 5:39-40.
2) “What is this then that is written,” (ti oun estin to gegramenon touto) “What then is this that has been written,” or what do you all think is the meaning of it? Would you mind giving me your judgment? Mat 21:42; Mar 12:10.
3) “The stone which the builders rejected,” (lithon hon apedokimasan hoi oikodomountes) “The stone which the builders rejected,” or cast aside, without any manipulation, Dan 2:34-35; Psa 118:22-23. The multitudes had quoted from this Psalm on the previous day, Mat 21:42; Mar 12:10. It was the same Psalm from which the Hosanna of the multitude was taken.
4) “The same Is become the head of the corner,” or head of the corner, Mat 21:42; Mar 12:10. It refers both to the foundation-stone and a stone at the angle of the building to hold the joining walls securely, 1Pe 2:7-8.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(17) And he beheld them.Better, He looked on them. The Greek verb implies the gaze turned and fixed on its object, in addition to the mere act of beholding.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
‘But he looked on 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?” ’
This method of finishing off a parable with a Scripture quotation is regularly found among the Rabbis.
For then Jesus looked at them and emphasised the reference to Himself as the beloved Son by citing Psa 118:22, and declaring that ‘The stone which the builders rejected, The same was made the head of the corner.’ They might reject Him, He is telling them, but they cannot prevent Him from being made the chief cornerstone of God’s saving purposes. For while they may kill the Son it will not be the end. He will rise again and be the foundation and seal on which God’s salvation will be based. The verse is used similarly in Act 4:11; 1Pe 2:7.
The chief corner stone was either the corner stone of the foundation which had to bear the weight of the building, or the stone which when it was finally set in place, completed the building and held it together as one (the cap-piece). Here it is seen as being in the first place rejected by the builders because they cannot see how it will fit in, only for them to discover in the end that it was the essential cornerstone. (We are not intended to ask whether builders could be so stupid, although no doubt some could. The whole point of the parable is to bring out the stupidity of those of whom it speaks by an exaggerated picture).
In contrast to this firm Foundation Stone on Whom the future will be based, and on which other stones will be erected (Eph 2:19-22), are the ‘goodly stones’ of the Temple which will be cast down and left not one stone upon another (Luk 19:44; Luk 21:5-6). The One is to replace the other (compare Joh 2:19-22; 1Co 3:11-17; 2Co 6:16-18).
It should be noted that it was from this Psalm that the people greeted Jesus as He rode into Jerusalem (see Luk 20:26). It was probably a Psalm used in festal situations for among other things welcoming the king or ruler of Israel as he ceremonially entered Jerusalem or the Temple with a view to making an offering (Luk 20:27). It was thus a suitable picture for application to the King Himself Who would shortly offer Himself upon the altar chosen by God.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
DISCOURSE: 1570
THE REJECTED CORNER STONE
Luk 20:17-18. 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? Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
MANY truths delivered by our Lord militated strongly against the carnal notions of his hearers: they were ready on many occasions to reply, This is an hard saying, who can hear it? But he invariably appealed to their own Scriptures in confirmation of his word. Nor could any better method of silencing their objections be possibly devised. He had just warned the priests and elders that they would kill their Messiah; and that God would on that account transfer his Church to the Gentiles [Note: ver. 1316.]. They, not conceiving that either of those events could ever take place, cried, God forbid! Our Lord, in reply, referred them to their own Scriptures, and added a most awful declaration of his own, in order that he might impress the passage more deeply on their minds. We shall consider,
I.
The passage appealed to
The words in their primary sense refer to David [Note: Davids establishment on the throne of Israel had been opposed to the uttermost: Saul had laboured incessantly to kill him: after the death of Saul, two tribes only acknowledged him as their king: it was seven years before the other tribes became subject to him: and then all the surrounding nations sought his destruction. But God made him triumphant over all: in remembrance of which mercy he penned the words before us. See Psa 118:10; Psa 118:22.]
But they most undoubtedly have a reference to Christ also
[Christ is represented in Scripture as the stone that should both support and connect the Church of God [Note: Isa 28:16.]: and the passage referred to in the text particularly declared, that he should be rejected by the very persons whose duty it was to edify and build up the Church. It announced however the determination of God to frustrate their designs, and to establish him as the head of the corner in spite of all their endeavours to destroy him. In this view the passage is quoted no less than six times in the New Testament: and its full accomplishment was triumphantly proclaimed before the very builders who had rejected him [Note: Act 2:36; Act 4:11-12.]]
The particular manner in which our Lord appealed to them is worthy of notice
[He beheld the objectors with a mixture of indignation and pity. He referred them to the words as to a passage well known among them, and generally considered even among themselves as applicable to the Messiah. His very look, together with the pointed manner of his address, intimated to them, that they were at that moment ignorantly fulfilling that prophecy, and that nothing but the most inveterate prejudice could induce them to persist one moment longer in such glaring impiety.]
The importance of this appeal will more strongly appear, if we consider,
II.
The declaration founded upon it
The latter part of the text is understood by most as intimating the more aggravated punishment that persecutors would incur beyond that of other unbelievers [Note: They suppose also that there is an allusion to the manner in which persons were stoned to death, viz. by casting them down first upon a large stone, and then throwing large stones upon them.]. Perhaps we may rather understand it as importing,
1.
That all, who stumble at Christ, greatly endanger their own souls
[Many are the grounds of offence which Christ affords to proud and ungodly men. To some the sublimity, to others the simplicity, to some the strictness, and to others the grace of his Gospel, becomes a stumbling-block. Hence some professedly deny the Lord who bought them, while others, call him Lord, but will not do what he commands. These equally stumble at Christ himself [Note: 1Pe 2:8.]. And as he who falls upon a great stone, will bruise and maim his body, so does he who thus stumbles at Christ wound his own soul [Note: What pangs of conscience, and dread of death and judgment, do such persons experience!]. Solomon, expressly speaking of Christ, attests this awful truth [Note: Pro 8:30; Pro 8:36.]]
2.
That they who provoke him to cut them off in their impenitence, will perish certainly and without a remedy
[Many have rejected him for a season, and found acceptance with him at last; but they who abide in unbelief must inevitably perish. The despised Jesus will fall upon them at the last day, and grind them to powder: the weight of rocks and mountains would not more effectually crush a potters vessel, than he will his obstinate and unbelieving enemies [Note: Psa 2:9.].]
Surely this is a declaration which deserves the deepest attention
[They who oppose the truth of Christ, think that they shall retard his work; at least, they do not apprehend that they shall endanger themselves. But they kick against the pricks [Note: Act 9:5.]. As well may persons hope to wound a rock by casting themselves down upon it, as that they shall ever prevail against the Church of Christ: the injury will ultimately be sustained by themselves alone. The voice of God therefore in the text is like that of David, Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way [Note: Psa 2:12.].]
Advices
1.
Attend diligently to every word of God which ye read or hear
[The knowledge, which the Jews had by means of the Scriptures, rendered their guilt in rejecting Christ incomparably more heinous than that of the Roman soldiers; and we who enjoy the still clearer light of the New Testament, must contract ten-fold guilt if we reject him. How shall we be able to endure that appeal which will be made to us in the day of judgment, Were not such and such things written respecting me? were not my invitations, promises, and expostulations set before you? were you not forewarned of the evils which a rejection of me would bring upon you? Give earnest heed then to the word ye hear, lest, instead of proving a savour of life unto life, it become a savour of death unto death [Note: 2Co 2:16.].]
2.
Examine carefully what regard ye are paying to Christ
[All do not make him the head of the corner: many reject him still. If we be not with him, we are against him [Note: Mat 12:30.]. All that disobey him, as truly stumble at him, as if they were his avowed enemies [Note: 1Pe 2:8.]. Inquire then whether ye make him the foundation whereon ye build, and the corner-stone that unites you in love to every part of Gods spiritual temple. By this must ye know that ye are his true disciples.]
3.
Be thankful if you have attained even the smallest knowledge of Christ
[There is no hope whatever for those who, in a Christian land, die ignorant of Christ [Note: 2Th 1:8.]. But they who know him, have nothing to fear. To them is promised eternal life [Note: Joh 17:3.]. When the whole assembly of the ungodly shall be banished from his presence, they shall stand with great boldness [Note: 2Th 1:9-10.]. When the wicked will be crying to the rocks and mountains to fall upon them, the followers of the Lamb will be triumphing in their God. This promise is sure to all the seed [Note: Rom 9:33.]. Let Jesus then be more precious to all our souls; let us willingly consent to his being the head of the corner; let us, as lively stones, ever seek to be built up upon him [Note: 1Pe 2:4-5.]; and, though we should be despised and rejected like him, let us never be ashamed of owning him as all our salvation and all our desire.]
Fuente: Charles Simeon’s Horae Homileticae (Old and New Testaments)
17 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?
Ver. 17. What is this then that is written, &c. ] q.d. If it be not so as I say, that you shall kill the Messiah, how is it that the Scripture saith as much? Press men with Scripture testimonies; that is the readiest way of sound conviction. It was a good speech of Augustine to Manichaeus, contesting with him for audience: Hear me, hear me, said the heretic. Nay, saith Augustine, Nec ego te, nec tu me, sed ambo audiamus apostolum dicentem, peccatum non cognovi, &c. It is not what I say, or what thou sayest, but what the Scripture saith, that we must stand to.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
17. ] The infers the negation of ‘ How then, supposing your wish to be fulfilled, could this which is written come to pass? ’
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Luk 20:17-19 . , looking intently, to give impressiveness to what He is going to say in reply. , etc., what then is (means) this Scripture? the implying that the words point to the very doom they deprecate. Yet the oracle does not directly indicate the fate of the builders, but rather the unexpected turn in the fortunes of the rejected and despised Stone. In Mt. and Mk. the citation is introduced, without any binding connection with what immediately goes before, to state a fact concerning the future of the “Son” lying outside the parable. They give the citation in full. Lk. omits the last clause: , etc.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
beheld = looked fixedly. Greek emblepo. App-133.
is written = has been written. See App-143.
The stone, &c. Quoted from Psa 118:22. Compare Luk 19:38.
become = become into. Greek. eis. App-104.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
17.] The infers the negation of -How then, supposing your wish to be fulfilled, could this which is written come to pass?
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Luk 20:17. , having looked stedfastly upon them) in order to whet (stimulate) the attention of their minds respecting their own selves. The accent or tone, the gesture, and the expression of countenance, often render the force of the words more expressive.-, which is written) See Mat 21:42, note.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
stone
See Psa 118:22; Psa 118:23. (See Scofield “Mat 21:44”).
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
beheld: Luk 19:41, Luk 22:61, Mar 3:5, Mar 10:23
What: Luk 22:37, Luk 24:44, Joh 15:25
The stone: Psa 118:22, Isa 28:16, Zec 3:9, Mat 21:42, Mar 12:10, Act 4:11, 1Pe 2:7, 1Pe 2:8
Reciprocal: Gen 37:8 – reign over us Gen 49:24 – the stone Isa 8:15 – stumble Zec 4:7 – headstone Joh 12:48 – rejecteth Act 13:9 – set Eph 2:20 – Jesus 1Pe 2:4 – disallowed
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Luk 20:17. What then is this that is written, i.e., granting that your deprecation is right; that these things would not be, how then could this Scripture be fulfilled.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
By looking at His hearers Jesus captivated their attention for a very important statement. Jesus’ response corrected the crowd’s resistance to the idea that God would judge Israel’s present leaders and would allow Israel to fall under other presumably Gentile leadership. He now changed the figure from a vineyard to a building. Luke recorded Him quoting only Psa 118:22, not Luk 20:23, which the other evangelists included (cf. Luk 19:38; Act 4:11; 1Pe 2:7). This has the effect of highlighting the stone, namely, Jesus, without reference to God.
An apparently insignificant stone that builders discarded as being unfit would become the most important stone of all. Jesus would become the most important feature in what God was building. Luke’s original readers would have understood this as a reference to Jesus being the head of the church. The statement was a further indictment against the current builders, Israel’s leaders.