Book of Matthew - Chapter 21 - Verse 42

In this verse from the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus is referencing a prophecy from Psalm 118:22-23 in the Old Testament. The phrase "The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner" is a metaphorical reference to Jesus himself. The builders represent the religious leaders who rejected Jesus, but despite their rejection, Jesus would become the foundation and cornerstone of the Church. This verse highlights the sovereignty of God and His ability to work in unexpected ways. It serves as a reminder that God's plan may not always align with human expectations, but His ways are higher and His purposes will ultimately prevail. Through Jesus, believers can find hope and strength, knowing that even what seems like defeat can be transformed into victory in God's hands. The verse ultimately calls believers to have faith and trust in God's plans, even when things may seem to be going awry.

One theological interpretation of this verse comes from the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament. Here, Jesus references a passage from the Old Testament (specifically from the Psalms) to illustrate the rejection he is experiencing from the religious leaders of his time. The stone which the builders rejected refers to himself as the Messiah, who was rejected by those in authority. Jesus then goes on to say that despite this rejection, he will become the head of the corner, indicating his eventual exalted status as the cornerstone of the Christian faith. This teaching highlights a central theme in Christianity: the idea of God's divine plan unfolding even in the face of human opposition. The phrase 'this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes' emphasizes the belief that God's ways are higher than our ways, and his purposes will ultimately prevail, even if they seem counterintuitive or unconventional to human understanding.