Luke 20:18

Key Reflection

In Luke 20:18, Jesus addresses a group of scribes and Pharisees who are plotting to ensnare him. By referencing Psalm 118:22, which states, “The stone which the builders rejected was made the chief cornerstone,” Jesus is drawing on a prophetic image that highlights how what is initially despised can become of great value. This verse points forward to his own crucifixion and resurrection, where he, like the rejected stone, would be exalted by God as the central figure in salvation history. The cultural context of first-century Palestine, where stones were often used as building materials, underscores the physicality of this metaphor, making it all the more striking that Jesus equates himself with a stone so commonly discarded and overlooked.