Luke Chapter 20 · Verse 17

Authorized King James Version

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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?

Original Language Analysis

ὁ G3588
ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 1 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δὲ And G1161
δὲ And
Strong's: G1161
Word #: 2 of 21
but, and, etc
ἐμβλέψας he beheld G1689
ἐμβλέψας he beheld
Strong's: G1689
Word #: 3 of 21
to look on, i.e., (relatively) to observe fixedly, or (absolutely) to discern clearly
αὐτοῖς them G846
αὐτοῖς them
Strong's: G846
Word #: 4 of 21
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
εἶπεν and said G2036
εἶπεν and said
Strong's: G2036
Word #: 5 of 21
to speak or say (by word or writing)
Τί What G5101
Τί What
Strong's: G5101
Word #: 6 of 21
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
οὖν then G3767
οὖν then
Strong's: G3767
Word #: 7 of 21
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
ἐστιν is G2076
ἐστιν is
Strong's: G2076
Word #: 8 of 21
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
τὸ G3588
τὸ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 9 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γεγραμμένον that is written G1125
γεγραμμένον that is written
Strong's: G1125
Word #: 10 of 21
to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
τοῦτο· this G5124
τοῦτο· this
Strong's: G5124
Word #: 11 of 21
that thing
Λίθον The stone G3037
Λίθον The stone
Strong's: G3037
Word #: 12 of 21
a stone (literally or figuratively)
ὃν which G3739
ὃν which
Strong's: G3739
Word #: 13 of 21
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἀπεδοκίμασαν rejected G593
ἀπεδοκίμασαν rejected
Strong's: G593
Word #: 14 of 21
to disapprove, i.e., (by implication) to repudiate
οἱ G3588
οἱ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 15 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οἰκοδομοῦντες the builders G3618
οἰκοδομοῦντες the builders
Strong's: G3618
Word #: 16 of 21
to be a house-builder, i.e., construct or (figuratively) confirm
οὗτος the same G3778
οὗτος the same
Strong's: G3778
Word #: 17 of 21
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
ἐγενήθη is become G1096
ἐγενήθη is become
Strong's: G1096
Word #: 18 of 21
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
εἰς of G1519
εἰς of
Strong's: G1519
Word #: 19 of 21
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
κεφαλὴν the head G2776
κεφαλὴν the head
Strong's: G2776
Word #: 20 of 21
the head (as the part most readily taken hold of), literally or figuratively
γωνίας the corner G1137
γωνίας the corner
Strong's: G1137
Word #: 21 of 21
an angle

Analysis & Commentary

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? Jesus looks directly at them (ἐμβλέψας, emblepsas, gazing intently) and quotes Psalm 118:22. The phrase "What is this then that is written" (Τί οὖν ἐστιν τὸ γεγραμμένον τοῦτο, ti oun estin to gegrammenon touto) appeals to Scripture's authority—they cannot dismiss the written word. The "stone" (λίθος, lithos) represents the Messiah; the "builders" (οἰκοδομοῦντες, oikodomountes) are Israel's leaders who should have recognized and honored Him.

The irony is devastating: the stone the expert builders "rejected" (ἀπεδοκίμασαν, apedokimasan, tested and deemed unworthy) becomes "the head of the corner" (κεφαλὴν γωνίας, kephalēn gōnias, the cornerstone). The cornerstone was the most critical stone in ancient construction, bearing weight and aligning the whole structure. Jesus prophesies His resurrection and exaltation: though rejected and killed, He will be vindicated as the foundation of God's true temple (Ephesians 2:20-22). The builders' expertise becomes their condemnation—they should have recognized the cornerstone but rejected it.

Historical Context

Psalm 118:22 was already understood messianically in first-century Judaism. The psalm was sung during Passover and messianic expectations. Peter later quoted this verse in Acts 4:11 and 1 Peter 2:7, identifying Jesus as the rejected-but-exalted stone. Paul developed the temple imagery in Ephesians 2:19-22, describing the church as God's temple built on Jesus the cornerstone. The religious leaders' rejection of Jesus—culminating in crucifixion—paradoxically established Him as the foundation of God's new covenant people.

Questions for Reflection