Matthew 21:44
And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
Original Language Analysis
Καὶ
And
G2532
Καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 15
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐφ'
on
G1909
ἐφ'
on
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
4 of 15
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐφ'
on
G1909
ἐφ'
on
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
9 of 15
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
ὃν
G3739
ὃν
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
10 of 15
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
Cross References
1 Peter 2:8And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.Romans 9:33As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.Luke 20:18Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.Psalms 2:9Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.Zechariah 12:3And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.Matthew 27:25Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.Matthew 26:24The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.1 Thessalonians 2:16Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.
Historical Context
Jesus spoke this in the temple (21:23) to chief priests and elders after entering Jerusalem (21:1-11). The parable of the wicked tenants (21:33-41) and this stone saying condemned Israel's leaders for rejecting God's messengers and Son. Within 40 years (AD 70), Rome destroyed Jerusalem—the stone fell, grinding the old covenant order to powder. The Jewish leaders understood Jesus claimed messianic authority (v. 45), hence their rage.
Questions for Reflection
- Have you been broken by falling on Christ in repentance, or do you risk Him falling on you in judgment?
- How does Christ as both stumbling stone (offense) and crushing stone (judgment) reveal the impossibility of neutrality toward Him?
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Analysis & Commentary
And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken (καὶ ὁ πεσὼν ἐπὶ τὸν λίθον τοῦτον συνθλασθήσεται)—The participle πίπτω (piptō, 'to fall') pictures stumbling over the stone (Christ), while συνθλάω (synthlaō, 'to shatter, to break in pieces') shows complete destruction. This alludes to Isaiah 8:14-15, where Yahweh becomes 'a stone of stumbling' to both houses of Israel. Those who reject Christ as cornerstone (21:42) make Him a crushing stone. To fall on the stone is to encounter Christ in His first coming and be broken by offense at His humility.
But on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder (ἐφ' ὃν δ' ἂν πέσῃ, λικμήσει αὐτόν)—The verb λικμάω (likmaō, 'to winnow, to grind to powder, to pulverize') pictures total obliteration. This is Christ's second coming in judgment (Daniel 2:34-35, 44-45—the stone that crushes kingdoms). The two-fold imagery shows two encounters with Christ: stumble over Him now and be broken in repentance, or have Him fall on you then and be pulverized in judgment. There's no third option—neutral indifference to Christ is impossible.