Luke 20:17

THE MESSAGE

But Jesus didn't back down. "Why, then, do you think this was written: That stone the masons threw out— It's now the cornerstone!? "Anyone falling over that stone will break every bone in his body; if the stone falls on anyone, it will be a total smashup."

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
But he looked at them and said, “Then what is the meaning of this Scripture:

King James Version (1611)
And hee beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders reiected, the same is become the head of the corner?

King James Version
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?

English Standard Version
But he looked directly at them and said, "What then is this that is written: "‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone'?

New American Standard Bible
But Jesus looked at them and said, "Then what is this statement that has been written: 'A STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS HAS BECOME THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE'?

New Century Version
But Jesus looked at them and said, "Then what does this verse mean: ‘The stone that the builders rejected became the cornerstone'? Psalm 118:22

Amplified Bible
But Jesus looked at them and said, "What then is [the meaning of] this that is written: 'THE [very] STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE'?

New American Standard Bible (1995)
But Jesus looked at them and said, "What then is this that is written: 'THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone'?

Legacy Standard Bible
But when Jesus looked at them, He said, "What then is this that is written:‘The stone which the builders rejected,This became the chief corner stone'?

Berean Standard Bible
But Jesus looked directly at them and said, "Then what is the meaning of that which is written: 'The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone'?

Contemporary English Version
But Jesus looked straight at them and said, "Then what do the Scriptures mean when they say, ‘The stone that the builders tossed aside is now the most important stone of all'?

Complete Jewish Bible
But Yeshua looked searchingly at them and said, "Then what is this which is written in the Tanakh, ‘The very rock which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone'?

Darby Translation
But he looking at them said, What then is this that is written, The stone which they that builded rejected, this has become the corner-stone?

Easy-to-Read Version
But Jesus looked into their eyes and said, "Then what does this verse mean: ‘The stone that the builders refused to accept became the cornerstone'?

Geneva Bible (1587)
And he beheld them, & said, What meaneth this then that is written, The stone that the builders refused, that is made the head of the corner?

George Lamsa Translation
But he looked at them and said, What is it that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same became the cornerstone?

Good News Translation
Jesus looked at them and asked, "What, then, does this scripture mean? ‘The stone which the builders rejected as worthless turned out to be the most important of all.'

Lexham English Bible
But he looked intently at them and said, "What then is this that is written: ‘The stone which the builders rejected, this has become the cornerstone.'

Literal Translation
And looking at them He said, What then is this which has been written, "The stone that the builders rejected, this one came to be for the Head of the Corner"? Psa. 118:22

American Standard Version
But he looked upon 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?

Bible in Basic English
But he, looking on them, said, Is it not in the Writings, The stone which the builders put on one side, the same has become the chief stone of the building?

Hebrew Names Version
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?'

International Standard Version
But Jesushe">[fn] R'The stone that the builders rejectedhas become the cornerstone'?capstone; Psalm 118:22">[fn]

Etheridge Translation
But he beheld them, and said, And what is that which is written, The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner ? [fn]

Murdock Translation
And he looked upon them, and said: What is that which is written, The stone, which the builders rejected, is become the chief corner stone?

Bishop's Bible (1568)
And he behelde them, & sayde: What is this then that is written, The stone that the buylders refused, the same is become the head of the corner.

English Revised Version
But he looked upon 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?

World English Bible
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?'

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
And hearing it they said, God forbid. And he looked on them and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, this is become the head of the corner?

Weymouth's New Testament
He looked at them and said, "What then does that mean which is written, "`The Stone which the builders rejected has been made the cornerstone'?

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
But he bihelde hem, and seide, What thanne is this that is writun, The stoon which men bildynge repreueden, this is maad in to the heed of the corner?

Update Bible Version
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?

Webster's Bible Translation
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?

New English Translation
But Jesus looked straight at them and said, "Then what is the meaning of that which is written: ‘ The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone '?

New King James Version
Then He looked at them and said, "What then is this that is written: 'The stone which the builders rejectedHas become the chief cornerstone'? Psalms 118:22 ">[fn]

New Living Translation
Jesus looked at them and said, "Then what does this Scripture mean? ‘The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.'

New Life Bible
Jesus looked at them and said, "What does this writing mean, ‘The Stone that was put aside by the workmen has become the most important Stone in the building'?

New Revised Standard
But he looked at them and said, "What then does this text mean: ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone'?

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
But, he, looking at them, said - What, then, is this that is written, - A stone which the builders' rejected, The same, hath become, head of the corner?

Douay-Rheims Bible
But he looking on them, said: What is this then that is written, The stone, which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?

Revised Standard Version
But he looked at them and said, "What then is this that is written: 'The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner'?

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
And he behelde them and sayde: what meaneth this then yt is wrytten: The stone that the bylders refused the same is made ye heed corner stone?

Young's Literal Translation
and he, having looked upon them, said, `What, then, is this that hath been written: A stone that the builders rejected -- this became head of a corner?

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
But he behelde the, and sayde: What is this then that is wrytten: The same stone which the buylders refused, is become the head corner stone?

Mace New Testament (1729)
then Jesus looking upon them, said, what is the meaning then of that expression, "the stone, which the builders rejected, is become the chief stone of the angle."

Simplified Cowboy Version
So Jesus asked them, "Then what do y'all think these words from the Good Book mean? 'The calf the cowboys rejected has now become the sire bull.'

Contextual Overview

⁹Jesus told another story to the people: "A man planted a vineyard. He handed it over to farmhands and went off on a trip. He was gone a long time. In time he sent a servant back to the farmhands to collect the profits, but they beat him up and sent him off empty-handed. He decided to try again and sent another servant. That one they beat black-and-blue, and sent him off empty-handed. He tried a third time. They worked that servant over from head to foot and dumped him in the street. ¹³ "Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘I know what I'll do: I'll send my beloved son. They're bound to respect my son.' ¹⁴"But when the farmhands saw him coming, they quickly put their heads together. ‘This is our chance—this is the heir! Let's kill him and have it all to ourselves.' They killed him and threw him over the fence. "What do you think the owner of the vineyard will do? Right. He'll come and clean house. Then he'll assign the care of the vineyard to others." Those who were listening said, "Oh, no! He'd never do that!" But Jesus didn't back down. "Why, then, do you think this was written: That stone the masons threw out— It's now the cornerstone!? "Anyone falling over that stone will break every bone in his body; if the stone falls on anyone, it will be a total smashup." The religion scholars and high priests wanted to lynch him on the spot, but they were intimidated by public opinion. They knew the story was about them. Watching for a chance to get him, they sent spies who posed as honest inquirers, hoping to trick him into saying something that would get him in trouble with the law. So they asked him, "Teacher, we know that you're honest and straightforward when you teach, that you don't pander to anyone but teach the way of God accurately. Tell us: Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" He knew they were laying for him and said, "Show me a coin. Now, this engraving, who does it look like and what does it say?" "Caesar," they said. Jesus said, "Then give Caesar what is his and give God what is his." Try as they might, they couldn't trap him into saying anything incriminating. His answer caught them off guard and left them speechless. Some Sadducees came up. This is the Jewish party that denies any possibility of resurrection. They asked, "Teacher, Moses wrote us that if a man dies and leaves a wife but no child, his brother is obligated to take the widow to wife and get her with child. Well, there once were seven brothers. The first took a wife. He died childless. The second married her and died, then the third, and eventually all seven had their turn, but no child. After all that, the wife died. That wife, now—in the resurrection whose wife is she? All seven married her." Jesus said, "Marriage is a major preoccupation here, but not there. Those who are included in the resurrection of the dead will no longer be concerned with marriage nor, of course, with death. They will have better things to think about, if you can believe it. All ecstasies and intimacies then will be with God. Even Moses exclaimed about resurrection at the burning bush, saying, ‘God: God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob!' God isn't the God of dead men, but of the living. To him all are alive." Some of the religion scholars said, "Teacher, that's a great answer!" For a while, anyway, no one dared put questions to him. Then he put a question to them: "How is it that they say that the Messiah is David's son? In the Book of Psalms, David clearly says, God said to my Master, "Sit here at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet." "David here designates the Messiah as ‘my Master'—so how can the Messiah also be his ‘son'?" With everybody listening, Jesus spoke to his disciples. "Watch out for the religion scholars. They love to walk around in academic gowns, preen in the radiance of public flattery, bask in prominent positions, sit at the head table at every church function. And all the time they are exploiting the weak and helpless. The longer their prayers, the worse they get. But they'll pay for it in the end." ¹⁶ One day he was teaching the people in the Temple, proclaiming the Message. The high priests, religion scholars, and leaders confronted him and demanded, "Show us your credentials. Who authorized you to speak and act like this?" Jesus answered, "First, let me ask you a question: About the baptism of John—who authorized it, heaven or humans?" They were on the spot, and knew it. They pulled back into a huddle and whispered, "If we say ‘heaven,' he'll ask us why we didn't believe him; if we say ‘humans,' the people will tear us limb from limb, convinced as they are that John was God's prophet." They agreed to concede that round to Jesus and said they didn't know. Jesus said, "Then neither will I answer your question." Jesus told another story to the people: "A man planted a vineyard. He handed it over to farmhands and went off on a trip. He was gone a long time. In time he sent a servant back to the farmhands to collect the profits, but they beat him up and sent him off empty-handed. He decided to try again and sent another servant. That one they beat black-and-blue, and sent him off empty-handed. He tried a third time. They worked that servant over from head to foot and dumped him in the street. "Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘I know what I'll do: I'll send my beloved son. They're bound to respect my son.' "But when the farmhands saw him coming, they quickly put their heads together. ‘This is our chance—this is the heir! Let's kill him and have it all to ourselves.' They killed him and threw him over the fence. "What do you think the owner of the vineyard will do? Right. He'll come and clean house. Then he'll assign the care of the vineyard to others." Those who were listening said, "Oh, no! He'd never do that!" ¹⁷But Jesus didn't back down. "Why, then, do you think this was written: That stone the masons threw out— It's now the cornerstone!? "Anyone falling over that stone will break every bone in his body; if the stone falls on anyone, it will be a total smashup." ¹⁹ The religion scholars and high priests wanted to lynch him on the spot, but they were intimidated by public opinion. They knew the story was about them.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

beheld: Luke 19:41, Luke 22:61, Mark 3:5, Mark 10:23

What: Luke 22:37, Luke 24:44, John 15:25

The stone: Psalms 118:22, Isaiah 28:16, Zechariah 3:9, Matthew 21:42, Mark 12:10, Acts 4:11, 1 Peter 2:7, 1 Peter 2:8

Reciprocal: Genesis 37:8 - reign over us Genesis 49:24 - the stone Isaiah 8:15 - stumble Zechariah 4:7 - headstone John 12:48 - rejecteth Acts 13:9 - set Ephesians 2:20 - Jesus 1 Peter 2:4 - disallowed

Cross-References

Genesis 20:10
Abimelech went on to Abraham, "Whatever were you thinking of when you did this thing?"

Genesis 20:11
Abraham said, "I just assumed that there was no fear of God in this place and that they'd kill me to get my wife. Besides, the truth is that she is my half sister; she's my father's daughter but not my mother's. When God sent me out as a wanderer from my father's home, I told her, ‘Do me a favor; wherever we go, tell people that I'm your brother.'"

Genesis 29:31
When God realized that Leah was unloved, he opened her womb. But Rachel was barren. Leah became pregnant and had a son. She named him Reuben (Look-It's-a-Boy!). "This is a sign," she said, "that God has seen my misery; and a sign that now my husband will love me."

Proverbs 15:8
God can't stand pious poses, but he delights in genuine prayers.

Proverbs 15:29
God keeps his distance from the wicked; he closely attends to the prayers of God-loyal people.

Isaiah 45:11
Thus God , The Holy of Israel, Israel's Maker, says: "Do you question who or what I'm making? Are you telling me what I can or cannot do? I made earth, and I created man and woman to live on it. I handcrafted the skies and direct all the constellations in their turnings. And now I've got Cyrus on the move. I've rolled out the red carpet before him. He will build my city. He will bring home my exiles. I didn't hire him to do this. I told him. I, God -of-the-Angel-Armies."

Matthew 7:7
"Don't bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This isn't a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we're in. If your child asks for bread, do you trick him with sawdust? If he asks for fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? As bad as you are, you wouldn't think of such a thing. You're at least decent to your own children. So don't you think the God who conceived you in love will be even better?

Acts 3:24
"All the prophets from Samuel on down said the same thing, said most emphatically that these days would come. These prophets, along with the covenant God made with your ancestors, are your family tree. God's covenant-word to Abraham provides the text: ‘By your offspring all the families of the earth will be blessed.' But you are first in line: God, having raised up his Son, sent him to bless you as you turn, one by one, from your evil ways."

Philippians 4:6
Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

1 Thessalonians 5:25
Friends, keep up your prayers for us. Greet all the followers of Jesus there with a holy embrace. And make sure this letter gets read to all the brothers and sisters. Don't leave anyone out.

Gill's Notes on the 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 Psalms 118:22.

Psalms 118:22- :.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

See this parable explained in the notes at Matthew 21:33-45.