In Matthew 21:43-44, Jesus refers to himself as the “stone that the builders rejected” that has become “the cornerstone” on which people can either build their lives or stumble over and fall. This metaphor helps explain why some people accept and follow Jesus, while others reject him.
The context is important for understanding this passage. In Matthew 21, Jesus has entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey to the praises of the crowds who shouted “Hosanna to the Son of David!” (v. 9). This “triumphal entry” fulfilled Old Testament prophecy about the coming Messiah (Zech. 9:9). However, the religious leaders rejected Jesus and plotted to kill him (Matt. 21:15-16, 45-46).
Jesus responded to their rejection by telling the parable of the tenants (Matt. 21:33-44). In this parable, the owner of a vineyard sent servants and then his son to collect its fruit, but the tenants mistreated and killed them. Jesus applied the parable to the religious leaders who rejected both him and the prophets who came before him. He warned that the kingdom of God would be taken away from them and given to a people who produce its fruit.
Right after this parable, Jesus transitions to discussing a stone that the builders rejected which became the cornerstone (Matt. 21:42). He combined quotations from Psalm 118:22-23 and Isaiah 28:16, applying them to himself as the Messiah who was rejected by the Jewish religious leaders.
The “builders” in this metaphor refer to the religious leaders who should have recognized Jesus as the Messiah but instead rejected him. A cornerstone was the most important stone that determined the position and stability of a building. By rejecting Jesus as the cornerstone, the religious leaders rejected God’s plan and stumbled over the very rock they should have built their lives upon.
In verse 44, Jesus switches to discussing those who fall on the stone. This refers to anyone who stumbles over Jesus by rejecting who he claimed to be. Without accepting Christ as the foundation of life and the only way to salvation, people will stumble and fall under God’s judgment. So Jesus as the stone leads either to life or to destruction, depending on a person’s response.
In summary, Jesus used the metaphor of the stone, drawing from several Old Testament passages, to explain why the religious leaders rejected him as the Messiah. This stone imagery emphasized that he is the cornerstone of God’s kingdom that people must either build upon through faith in him or stumble over to their ruin. The stone represents both the OT prophecies about the Messiah that Jesus fulfilled and the firm foundation he provides for salvation and life in God’s kingdom.
Throughout church history, this metaphor of Christ as the stone rejected by the builders but made the cornerstone has been very significant. It powerfully reinforces that Jesus is the only sure foundation for life, even though he may be rejected by those who should have recognized him. Those who build upon Christ by faith will stand secure, while those who reject him will stumble and fall under God’s judgment.
The stone imagery also reminds believers today that even when their faith in Christ leads to rejection by others, Jesus is still the cornerstone upon which they stand. Just as he was rejected by the religious leaders of his day, followers of Christ may face opposition from a world that refuses to recognize Jesus as the only way to the Father (John 14:6). But standing firm upon Christ will lead to eternal life while rejecting him brings eternal destruction.
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The stone metaphor in Matthew 21:43-44 illustrates several important biblical themes that are seen throughout Scripture:
Christ as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies
By quoting Psalm 118 and Isaiah 28, Jesus identifies himself as the stone that God promised to provide as the Messiah and cornerstone. Jesus fulfilled many OT prophecies about the coming Savior, which the religious leaders should have recognized.
Christ as the only sure foundation for life
As the cornerstone, Jesus is the firm bedrock foundation upon which people must build their lives through faith in him. Salvation is found in Christ alone. Trying to build life on any other foundation is like building on shifting sand.
The foolishness of rejecting Christ
Despite OT prophecies and Jesus’ teaching and miracles, the religious leaders rejected him as Messiah. They stumbled over the very stone God provided because of their spiritual blindness and hardness of heart. All who reject Christ are foolishly rejecting God’s way of salvation.
Christ as a stone of judgment
Falling on this stone leads to destruction and judgment. Rejecting Christ means facing the consequence of sin which is eternal separation from God. Only through repentance and faith in Christ can people avoid stumbling over Jesus on their way to condemnation.
Persecution for following Christ
Just as Jesus was rejected, believers who follow him closely may also face ridicule and persecution from the world. But enduring this with faith in Christ promises eternal life and reward.
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Old Testament Background
To better understand Jesus’ use of the stone metaphor in Matthew 21, it is helpful to examine the Old Testament background behind this imagery:
Psalm 118
Psalm 118 was a well-known messianic psalm. Verse 22 says “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” This prophesied how the Messiah would be rejected but exalted by God as the foundation stone.
Isaiah 28
In Isaiah 28:16, God promises to lay a tested and precious cornerstone in Zion, which provides a sure foundation for those who trust in it. This pointed forward to the Messiah as the cornerstone.
Daniel 2
Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of a statue made of different materials is interpreted by Daniel to represent a series of earthly kingdoms that will be destroyed by a stone from heaven – the kingdom of God. The stone imagery refers to the Messiah destroying human rule and establishing God’s eternal kingdom.
Zechariah 10:4
This verse refers to the cornerstone emerging from the tent of Judah. Christ as the cornerstone came from God’s people Israel. The builders are leaders of Israel who reject their Messiah.
These OT passages help demonstrate that Jesus did not come up with the metaphor about the stone on his own in Matthew 21. By applying this stone imagery to himself, he made a significant claim to be the promised Messiah spoken of by the prophets centuries before.
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Jesus as Stumbling Stone in the Rest of the New Testament
While Matthew 21 provides the clearest example of Jesus referring to himself as the rejected stone, this metaphor is also used in other New Testament passages:
Acts 4:11
Peter quotes Psalm 118:22 to the Jewish leaders, accusing them of rejecting Jesus who is the cornerstone.
Romans 9:32-33
Paul says Israel stumbled over the “stumbling stone” because they sought salvation by works rather than faith in Christ. Quotes Isaiah 8:14.
1 Peter 2:6-8
Peter discusses Jesus as the cornerstone the builders rejected, which also causes unbelievers to stumble. Quotes Isaiah 28:16 and Psalm 118:22.
In all these passages, the emphasis is the same – Jesus is the stone the builders/leaders rejected, but God exalted him as the cornerstone on which the church is built. Those who reject Christ end up stumbling over him to their ruin.
Spiritual Applications
Beyond understanding the historical context, the stone metaphor in Matthew 21 contains important spiritual applications for believers today, such as:
Christ is the only sure foundation for life
People today try to build their lives on money, success, family, good works, pleasure, etc. But only Jesus Christ provides a stable and unshakable foundation to build upon through faith in him.
Following Christ may lead to rejection
If Jesus was rejected, his followers should expect that standing for Christ may also lead to ridicule and persecution from the world. But Jesus promises to reward those who endure.
Rejecting Christ has eternal consequences
With unbelievers, we should warn of stumbling over Jesus by rejecting him, which leads to eternal separation from God. Calling people to repentance and faith is urgent.
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Keys to Avoid Stumbling Over Jesus
Since rejecting Christ causes people to stumble to their ruin, what can be done to avoid stumbling over Jesus as the stone of offense?
Humbly examine the biblical evidence
Those who rejected Jesus as Messiah did not carefully examine the Scriptures. We should humbly look at the biblical case for Jesus with a willingness to believe.
Listen to Christ’s teaching
If people had listened open-heartedly to Jesus’ words, they would have recognized him as the Savior rather than reject him. We must be teachable before Christ.
Look at Christ’s miracles
The religious leaders saw the incredible miracles Jesus did yet still rejected him. His power over nature, sickness, demons and death give credibility to his claims.
Consider Christ’s resurrection
After rising from the dead, Jesus rebuked people for stumbling over him because of their unbelief. His resurrection is compelling evidence he is the Son of God.
Cry out to God for understanding
If we ask God for insight to see Jesus clearly, He promises to give wisdom generously. Illumination from the Holy Spirit allows us to recognize Jesus as Savior.
Carefully examining Christ in Scripture, with humility, openness and prayer, allows us to see him rightly as the cornerstone and avoid the tragedy of stumbling over him to our destruction.
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Results of Building Upon Christ
While rejecting Christ causes people to stumble, what are the positive results of building one’s life on Jesus as the cornerstone?
A stable foundation
With Christ as the bedrock foundation, believers stand secure amid the shifting sands of culture. No matter what happens in life, their hope in Jesus remains steadfast.
Withstanding adversity
When storms come, those anchored to Christ are kept from falling. Trials and persecution cannot shake someone grounded in Jesus the cornerstone.
Strength for daily life
Living life God’s way in a sinful world is hard without Christ’s empowering grace. His Spirit gives believers strength to follow him each day.
Bearing spiritual fruit
In John 15, Jesus says that apart from him we can bear no fruit. As the cornerstone, Jesus enables his people to grow in godly character and good works.
Entrance to God’s kingdom
Christ as the capstone brings together Jews and Gentiles as one holy temple in him. Only through Jesus can anyone enter God’s kingdom and enjoy eternal life.
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How to Build Your Life on Christ
Practically speaking, how can we ensure we are building our lives on Jesus Christ as the sure foundation?
Repent and believe the gospel
The first step is trusting in Christ for salvation. We must turn from sin and believe Jesus died for our sins and rose again as Savior and Lord.
Obey Christ’s teachings
As Lord, Jesus calls us to obey his commands in the Bible. Building on Jesus means shaping our lives around his values and ethics revealed in Scripture.
Rely on Christ for everything
Rather than depend on ourselves, we must continually rely on Jesus for wisdom, strength, and provision each day. Our sufficiency is from him.
Seek Christ in prayer and the Word
To grow closer to Christ our foundation, we should seek him through regular prayer and Bible study. Immersing ourselves in Scripture reveals who he is.
Serve Christ wholeheartedly
If Jesus is our cornerstone, serving him with full devotion is essential. Using our gifts to advance his kingdom work demonstrates he is our life priority.
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Jesus as the Capstone
Jesus is not only the cornerstone but also the capstone which completes and holds together the church:
Cornerstone and capstone were the same stone
In ancient building practices, the cornerstone laid as the first foundation stone was also the final capstone completing an arch or the top of a building.
Jesus began and completes our faith
Christ as the author and perfecter of our faith is the beginning through his sacrificial death and the end through his glorious second coming that culminates God’s plans (Heb 12:2).
Reconciles Jews and Gentiles
As the capstone, Jesus takes disconnected “living stones” and joins them together. He reconciles Jewish and Gentile believers into one new body, the church (Eph 2:11-22).
Secures the whole building
A capstone wedge holds two sides of an arch together. Similarly, Christ as the capstone secures the entire church, keeping the community of faith solidly unified.
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