The Stone had a rich Old Testament background, which Jesus alludes to in order to make clear his claims about his mission and authority. The rejected son is akin to the rejected stone of Psalm 118. In Hebrew ben means son whilst ‘eben means stone, and so it’s possible that Jesus is making a pun. Jesus is the cornerstone – the crucial stone around which everything else is placed, in order to ensure the structure is built squarely, safe and stable.īut there is perhaps another link between the Son and the Stone. Cutting off the branch, upon which they sit – to mix my metaphors. By citing Psalm 118, Jesus declares that though the tenants think they are obtaining autonomy by rejecting the Son, they are in effect laying the first stone of a brand new building, in which they have neither place nor part. Presumably the link in Jesus’ mind is that both the Son of the parable and the Stone of the Psalm are rejected.

The direct quotation is from Psalm 118:22-23, which at first glance doesn’t seem to be hugely relevant to the preceding parable. Jesus looked directly at them and asked, “Then what is the meaning of that which is written: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’? Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.” ( Luke 20:17-18)

In christ alone hillsong