“Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?”– Matthew 21:42 (KJV)
“Jesus asked them, ‘Have you never read in the Scriptures: The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing, and it is wonderful to see?'”– Matthew 21:42 (NLT)
“Jesus said, ‘You never read in the Scriptures: The stone the builders tossed aside is now the cornerstone. This is God’s work. We rub our eyes, we can hardly believe it!'”– Matthew 21:42 (MSG)
What Does Matthew 21:42 Mean?
This verse, Matthew 21:42, speaks volumes about Jesus’ identity and mission. In this scripture, Jesus quotes Psalm 118:22-23. He refers to Himself as the stone that the builders have rejected. When we look at this statement, we understand that Jesus is drawing attention to His own rejection by the religious leaders of His time. They were supposed to recognize Him as the Messiah, the chosen one sent from God. Instead, they dismissed Him, much like builders might reject a stone that does not fit their vision for a structure.
What does it mean for a stone to be rejected and then become the cornerstone? The cornerstone is a significant stone in a building’s foundation. It holds the entire structure together. Jesus is saying that though He was rejected, He would ultimately be the very foundation of faith and salvation for all believers. This reflects the profound truth that God’s plan often contradicts human expectations. The very one who seemed to be disregarded would become central to the faith.
Matthew 21:42 Explanation and Commentary
In this passage, we hear Jesus speaking directly to those who have cast doubt on Him. It is a call to acknowledge the reality of who He is: the cornerstone of our faith. Take a moment to think about how often we may overlook the foundational items in our lives. Sometimes we get lost in the big, flashy things and dismiss what is essential. Jesus reminds us that just because something looks unimportant or insignificant, it can have great significance in our lives.
As believers, we know that Jesus laid His life down for us. Despite the rejection He faced, He turned it into an opportunity for us to be reconciled to God. This gives us hope. When we feel rejected by the world or by those around us, we can remember that our value is not based on their acceptance but on our worth in Christ. We can find comfort and strength in knowing that He understands our struggles and can relate to our feelings of isolation or rejection.
This concept of the cornerstone is echoed in Ephesians 2:19-20, which states that we are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God. Jesus Himself is the chief cornerstone. Here, we see the inclusion of all believers, which reminds us that we are part of something greater.
When we bring our lives in alignment with Him, acknowledging Him as our cornerstone, every area of our lives can find support and structure. Just as a building relies on its foundation to stand tall and strong, we too can rely on Christ to give us strength and stability in life’s challenges.
As we reflect on Matthew 21:42, we see how interwoven His identity is with the crucifixion and resurrection. The rejected stone wasn’t just for the people of that time; it paved the way for future generations. We are part of that promise. We remember the marvelous nature of God’s work as it continues to unfold in our lives today.
Context of Matthew 21:42
Understanding the context of Matthew 21:42 lets us see the richness of the moment. The preceding verses tell the story of Jesus entering Jerusalem, where he famously cleansed the temple by driving out the money changers. The anger of the religious leaders had been ignited due to His actions. They were losing their authority and influence.
When Jesus spoke this particular verse, He was often directing His words toward the chief priests and Pharisees. They had questioned His authority, and in this moment, He skillfully used scripture to put them in their place. By referencing the rejection of the stone, He was indicting them for rejecting Him—God’s chosen one. It was a confrontational statement, highlighting their inability to recognize the Messiah standing before them.
This event also takes place during the last week of Jesus’ life. Tensions were high. He began to speak in parables that illustrated truths about the kingdom of God and God’s desire for humanity. It was here that He exposed the hearts of those who should have been the guardians of faith. Jesus knew their hearts and desires were far from God’s intentions. When we see this context, it helps us appreciate the urgency of His message and His commitment to fulfilling God’s plan.
It is essential to look at the Old Testament connections. By quoting Psalm 118, Jesus tied His ministry to prophecy. These references were not only for those present, but they also speak to us today. In recognizing Jesus as the cornerstone, we, too, are encouraged to examine our lives in light of the scriptures. Are there areas where we have rejected what God intended for us? We need to embrace Christ as the cornerstone and allow Him to reshape our lives completely.
Breaking Down the Key Parts of Matthew 21:42
Every word in Matthew 21:42 holds depth and meaning. Let’s break down a few key parts. The term “stone” symbolizes Jesus Himself. When we think of stone, we can also think of its permanence and stability. Unlike things that may shift or change in our lives, Jesus remains our solid rock, a firm foundation we can rely on no matter the circumstances.
The phrase “the builders rejected” signifies those in authority who should have recognized Him but turned away. They were missing out on God’s redemptive work in their lives. This can serve as a reminder for us today. We might find ourselves in situations where we overlook God’s will because it doesn’t fit our expectations or desires.
When Jesus refers to the stone becoming the cornerstone, it marks a dramatic turnaround. It illustrates how God’s purpose prevails despite human rejection. In our lives, we might encounter moments of rejection, whether by peers, family, or society. However, we must hold onto the truth that our worth is not determined by their acceptance but is established by being part of God’s family. God uses those moments to build us up.
Finally, when Jesus says, “this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes,” He points us back to God’s sovereignty. Everything that has happened in His life, leading to the cross and beyond, was part of God’s divine plan. This marvelous work invites us to participate in the unfolding of God’s glory in our lives today. As we accept who He is and what He has done, we align ourselves with His purposes, leading to a life filled with wonder and awe at His works.
Lessons to Learn From Matthew 21:42
What can we take away from Matthew 21:42? This verse is rich with teaching moments. First, we are reminded of the importance of recognizing Jesus in our lives. Are we aware of His presence and work, or like the builders, do we often miss it? It challenges us to open our eyes and hearts to see how God works around and through us.
Secondly, we learn not to be fearful of rejection. Jesus faced it head-on, yet He remained steadfast in His mission. We can draw strength from His example. In our fears of rejection in various situations—whether in our faith, workplace, or personal relationships—we can lean on Jesus, who understands us deeply.
We also discover that God’s plans may not always align with our understanding. Just as the builders could not see the value in the rejected stone, we too may overlook what God is doing in our lives. Let’s try to stay humble and open to God’s leading, remembering that some of the biggest blessings can come from unexpected challenges.
Finally, embracing Jesus as the cornerstone of our lives means we have a sturdy foundation. When we build our lives upon Him, we can face any storm that comes our way. We must continually remind ourselves about this essential truth as we go about our daily lives. Are there areas where we need to return and reinforce our foundation?
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, Matthew 21:42 serves as a remarkable reminder of who Jesus is and what it means to follow Him. He is the cornerstone, the essence that holds our faith together. As we ponder this truth, let’s strive to live in a way that acknowledges Him in all areas of our lives. We can draw strength from His example, lifting our heads high despite the fears and challenges we may encounter.
Just as the builders missed the significance of the stone, let us not miss the opportunities God sets before us. Let’s allow Jesus to shape us, renew us, and build us into His image. We encourage you to explore more topics that bring to light the profound truths within the scriptures, like Matthew 11 or Genesis 18:5. The stories and lessons shared will enrich our understanding and strengthen our faith. Reach out to Him, allow Him to be your cornerstone, and let His marvelous work unfold in our lives.