Matthew 21:42Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

To demonstrate that not only justice necessitated it, but also that the grace of the Holy Spirit had long foretold this and that God had predetermined its outcome, Christ references a prophecy and admonishes them, saying, "Have ye never read in the Scriptures, that the stone which the builders rejected, the same was made the head of the corner? This is from the Lord, and is marvelous in our eyes?" He makes it clear to the Jews that they, in their disbelief, will be cast aside, while the Gentiles will be welcomed. This was illustrated through His interaction with the Canaanite woman, the choice of the donkey at His entry into Jerusalem, the example of the centurion, and numerous parables; He emphasizes this point once again.

He refers to Himself as the cornerstone, while the builders represent the Jewish teachers who dismissed Him as unworthy, declaring, "Thou art a Samaritan, and the devil is in Thee." Nevertheless, He triumphed over death and established His position at the head of the corner, becoming the Head of the Church and bringing together Jews and Gentiles in one faith. Just as a stone anchoring a corner supports both walls, Christ unifies all believers in a single faith. This cornerstone is extraordinary and of the Lord, for the Church, which encompasses and binds us through faith, is of divine origin; it elicits great admiration for its magnificent design. Additionally, this stone is remarkable in that the words of Christ are validated and demonstrated through miracles, illustrating the wondrous nature of the Church’s foundation.

He then clarifies the significance of this parable, stating, "Have you not read: ... the stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone?" Which stone is he referring to? It is the one described as a precious gem in these words, "I ... I will set a precious gem among the children of Israel."

The same truths are conveyed through various parables and sayings. Those whom He previously referred to as laborers, vine tenders, and farmers are now identified as builders or stonemasons. Consequently, the apostle states, "Ye are God's field, God's building" [1 Corinthians 3:9]. Just as vine dressers are entrusted with a vineyard, these builders receive a stone intended to be placed either in the foundation, similar to Paul, the builder (ibid.), or in the corner, where it would unite two walls or two peoples, as referenced in Eph. 2:14. This stone, originally rejected by them, was ultimately established as the cornerstone. This was accomplished through the Lord's power, not by human strength, but through the might of God.

The stone that was overlooked by the builders, specifically the Jewish priests and leaders, is the very stone that has become the cornerstone, representing the foundation of the Church. As Scripture indicates, the 'cornerstone' signifies the Church. Just as a corner unites two walls, holding them together with an unbreakable bond, the Holy Church serves as the union of two groups: the Gentiles and the Jews. Through the singular doctrine of faith, She unites them, fostering an unwavering harmony; Christ, as the Head of the entire Body, is the cornerstone of the Church (Colossians 1:18).

And Jesus asked them, Is it not stated in the Scriptures: The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone? This prophecy belongs to David. Through it, Christ demonstrates that what was prophesied by the Holy Spirit will undoubtedly come to pass. He will be put to death, and upon His resurrection, He will become the chief cornerstone. What is the significance of this? The stone referred to in the prophecy symbolizes Christ, while the builders represent the Jewish leaders, who were likened to laborers in the previous parable. They did not position this Stone in order but rejected it, first declaring, This is not a man of God (John 9:16), then criticizing Him for flattering the nations (John 7:12), among other accusations, culminating in His crucifixion.

Christ is referred to as a rock for two primary reasons. Firstly, He serves as a solid foundation for all who believe in Him; those who rely on Him will not succumb to misleading schemes or be shaken by adversity. Secondly, Christ is described as a rock because those who act wickedly are shattered when they come against Him. Just as anything that strikes a stone is broken without harming the stone itself, so too will those who oppose Christianity find themselves defeated, though they cannot diminish its strength. This illustrates Christ as the ultimate rock. Those who stumble upon this stone will experience a breaking, while it will crush anyone upon whom it falls (Luke 20:18, Psalm 117:22-23, Isaiah 8:14-15).

What is the relationship between these statements and what has been previously discussed? It is both significant and profound; for it acknowledges that what the Lord declares was ordained by God and prophesied by the holy Prophets. However, in making this assertion, it also condemns their lack of understanding of the Scriptures. "Or know ye not," He asks, "these words of the Divine Scripture, ‘The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner’?" (Ps. 117:22) The cornerstone is Jesus Christ Himself, as the Divine Apostle testifies, "that rock is Christ" (1 Cor. 10:4); those who build are referred to as laborers. The blessed Paul explained the concepts of work and building by asserting, "You are God's work, you are God's building" (1 Cor. 3:9).

Jesus inquired of them, ‘Do you really believe that it is unthinkable for your privileges to be stripped away? Have you not considered what is written: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone? You are aware of the significance of the Stone to which the Psalmist refers; you indeed attribute these words to the Messiah. You were chosen to establish a spiritual edifice, the Church of God, yet you have dismissed Me as the foundational stone of that structure. Despite this rejection, this Stone will become the key element that unites the two walls: within My Church, I bring together believers from both Jews and Gentiles. This is pleasing to God, My Father: This is from the Lord and is marvelous in our sight?

In His stern discourse, Jesus questioned, “Have you never read in the Scriptures that the stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone, and this is the work of the Lord, astonishing to all?” He went on to warn that those who stumble upon this stone will be shattered, and those upon whom it falls will be crushed. He declared, “You have rejected this stone, and as a consequence, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation that produces its fruit.” By referencing the rejected stone, Jesus alluded to Psalm 117 and the prophecy from Isaiah (Isaiah 8:13-15). Archbishop Innocent elucidates this passage by stating that Psalm 117 is a heartfelt hymn through which David offers gratitude to God in the temple after his enemies were vanquished.

In interpreting the essence of the parable, which they themselves had recognized, the Lord cites Scripture regarding Himself and the leaders of the Hebrew nation from Psalm 117:22-23, illustrating that their treatment of Him was anticipated in their sacred texts. The phrase “the stone that was rejected” draws on the metaphor of constructing a building, where solid, large stones are typically placed at the corners. Jesus Christ is depicted as the bedrock of the church, often referred to as its cornerstone (Acts 4:11, Rom. 9:33, Eph. 2:20, 1 Pet. 2:7). He identifies Himself as the stone while designating the Jewish teachers as the builders, a notion echoed by Ezekiel, who speaks of those who build the wall but do so ineptly (Ezek. 13:10). In what way were they ‘rejected’?