Meaning of Matthew 21:42

This verse, spoken by Jesus to the chief priests and elders of the people in the Temple courts, functions as a powerful indictment and a prophetic declaration. Jesus is responding to their questioning of his authority to cleanse the Temple, and he uses this quotation from the Old Testament (specifically Psalm 118:22-23) to highlight their own rejection of him, the divinely appointed Messiah, who is now proving to be the most vital element of God's plan. They, the religious "builders" of Israel, have rejected the very cornerstone upon which God's kingdom and salvation are being established, a rejection that Jesus declares is ultimately futile because God's sovereign will is being accomplished through this rejected stone, and this divine work is astonishingly evident to those with eyes to see.

Context and Background

Jesus had just demonstrated his authority by cleansing the Temple, driving out the money changers and merchants. This act provoked the religious leaders, who challenged his authority. In response, Jesus posed a series of parables, including the Parable of the Wicked Tenants (Matthew 21:33-46), which directly condemned their spiritual leadership and foreshadowed their rejection of God's Son. This verse is the concluding statement of that parable, directly linking the tenants' rejection of the vineyard owner's son to the religious leaders' impending rejection of Jesus himself. The "builders" are the established religious authorities of Israel, those responsible for constructing and maintaining the spiritual house of God.

Key Themes and Messages

• Rejection and Vindication: The core message is about the rejection of something or someone deemed valuable by God, yet scorned by human authorities. However, this rejection is not the end; it leads to vindication and supreme importance.
• The Cornerstone: The "stone" is a messianic symbol. In ancient construction, the cornerstone was the most crucial stone, laid first, upon which the entire structure depended for its stability and alignment. Jesus is the foundational element of God's new covenant and kingdom.
• Divine Sovereignty: The phrase "the Lord has done this" emphasizes God's ultimate control and purpose. Human rejection cannot thwart God's redemptive plan; instead, it becomes an instrument of His sovereign will.
• Astonishment and Wonder: The final clause, "it is marvelous in our eyes," expresses awe at God's unexpected and powerful working through what men have despised. It points to the transformative power of God's plan of salvation.

Spiritual Significance and Application

For believers, this verse underscores the centrality of Jesus Christ in God's plan of salvation. Despite facing rejection from many, including prominent religious figures, Jesus is the indispensable foundation of faith. His significance is not determined by human approval but by divine appointment. The spiritual application lies in recognizing Jesus as our cornerstone, building our lives and our community of faith upon Him. It also calls us to be discerning, to see God's hand even in circumstances that appear negative or rebellious, and to marvel at His wisdom in bringing good out of evil.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This verse is a pivotal moment in the unfolding of redemptive history. It clearly identifies Jesus as the Messiah prophesied throughout the Old Testament, particularly in passages that speak of a rejected but ultimately exalted figure. It foreshadows the crucifixion and resurrection, where Jesus, rejected by the Jewish leadership and the Roman authorities, is then raised and exalted by God, becoming the foundation for the Church. This theme of the rejected stone is a recurring motif, pointing to God's consistent pattern of working through the humble and despised to accomplish His purposes.

Analogies

• The Architect's Masterpiece: Imagine an architect designing a magnificent building. He selects a unique, perfectly cut stone, but the construction crew, lacking vision or understanding, deems it unsuitable and casts it aside. However, this very stone, when eventually placed at the apex of the structure, becomes the keystone, holding the entire edifice together and fulfilling the architect's grand design.
• The Seed: A farmer plants a seed, which is small and seemingly insignificant, and it dies in the ground (rejection). Yet, from this "rejected" seed, a new plant grows, bearing abundant fruit, demonstrating its essential role in the harvest.

Relation to Other Verses

• Psalm 118:22-23: As mentioned, Jesus directly quotes this Old Testament passage, which is a psalm of thanksgiving and celebration, likely commemorating Israel's deliverance. It is a clear prophetic pointer to the Messiah.
• Isaiah 8:14: "He will become a sanctuary; but for both houses of Israel he will become a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall. And for the people of Jerusalem he will become a trap and a snare." This prophecy speaks of Jesus being both a cornerstone for believers and a stumbling block for unbelievers.
• Acts 4:11: Peter quotes Psalm 118:22 in his sermon to the Sanhedrin, explicitly applying the "rejected stone" to Jesus, emphasizing that salvation is found in Him alone.
• 1 Peter 2:4-8: Peter expands on this imagery, calling believers to come to Jesus, the living stone, rejected by men but chosen by God and precious. He also reiterates the idea of Jesus being a "stone of stumbling and a rock of offense" to those who disobey.
• Ephesians 2:20: The Apostle Paul describes the church as being "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone." This highlights Jesus' supreme importance in the structure of the church.