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Matthew 21:33-46 | Rejected Cornerstone
In this parable, Jesus points the leaders and the people to Isaiah’s parable of the vineyard (Isaiah 5:1–7). In Isaiah, the problem is that the vineyard lacks fruit, and the solution is the destruction of the vineyard. Here, the problem is the tenants, who refuse the owner his fruit. The solution is to replace the tenants with those who will produce fruit.
While the tenants were cruel to all the messengers sent by the owner, it is the rejection of the owner’s son that brings the punishment. This is further reflected in Jesus’ mention of the stone the builders reject, which becomes the capstone. For even though the leaders reject Jesus as Messiah, God has chosen him. God has sent Jesus. We must not reject Jesus. Jesus is our cornerstone.
33 “Hear another parable. There was a master of a house who planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a winepress in it and built a tower and leased it to tenants, and went into another country. 34 When the season for fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to get his fruit. 35 And the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. 36 Again he sent other servants, more than the first. And they did the same to them. 37 Finally he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 38 But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.’ 39 And they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. 40 When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” 41 They said to him, “He will put those wretches to a miserable death and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons.”
42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures:
“ ‘The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
this was the Lord’s doing,
and it is marvelous in our eyes’?
43 Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits. 44 And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”
45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he was speaking about them. 46 And although they were seeking to arrest him, they feared the crowds, because they held him to be a prophet. Matthew 21:33-46
Discussion Questions
D&A (Discipleship & Accountability)
Break up into smaller groups for prayer.
In this parable, Jesus points the leaders and the people to Isaiah’s parable of the vineyard (Isaiah 5:1–7). In Isaiah, the problem is that the vineyard lacks fruit, and the solution is the destruction of the vineyard. Here, the problem is the tenants, who refuse the owner his fruit. The solution is to replace the tenants with those who will produce fruit.
While the tenants were cruel to all the messengers sent by the owner, it is the rejection of the owner’s son that brings the punishment. This is further reflected in Jesus’ mention of the stone the builders reject, which becomes the capstone. For even though the leaders reject Jesus as Messiah, God has chosen him. God has sent Jesus. We must not reject Jesus. Jesus is our cornerstone.
33 “Hear another parable. There was a master of a house who planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a winepress in it and built a tower and leased it to tenants, and went into another country. 34 When the season for fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to get his fruit. 35 And the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. 36 Again he sent other servants, more than the first. And they did the same to them. 37 Finally he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 38 But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.’ 39 And they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. 40 When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” 41 They said to him, “He will put those wretches to a miserable death and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons.”
42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures:
“ ‘The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
this was the Lord’s doing,
and it is marvelous in our eyes’?
43 Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits. 44 And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”
45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he was speaking about them. 46 And although they were seeking to arrest him, they feared the crowds, because they held him to be a prophet. Matthew 21:33-46
Discussion Questions
- In this parable, the owner represents God. What do you learn about God by how cares for the vineyard?
- The owner expects fruit. How will you know that you are producing fruit, what does it look like?
- In v. 42, he refers to the cornerstone. Read Isaiah 8:14, Acts 4:10-12, 1 Peter 2:4–8.
- In what way do you see Jesus as a rock of offense today?
- How can you recognize Jesus as your foundation?
- What is the future for those who reject him?
- Why do you think the religious leaders realized Jesus was speaking about them—but still rejected Him?
- What warning or encouragement does this passage bring to you?
D&A (Discipleship & Accountability)
Break up into smaller groups for prayer.
- How is your time with God?
- What are you praying for?
- What are you struggling with?
- Who are you praying for to know Jesus?
- What gospel conversations have you had this week with someone who doesn’t follow Jesus?