41: The Cornerstone (Mt 21:18-46)

A henpecked husband was advised by a psychiatrist to assert himself. "You don't have to let your wife bully you," he said. "Go home and show her you're the boss."

The husband decided to take the doctor's advice. He went home, slammed the door, shook his fist in his wife's face, and growled, "From now on you're taking orders from me. I want my supper right now, and when you get it on the table, go upstairs and lay out my clothes. Tonight I am going out with the boys. You are going to stay at home where you belong.

Another thing, you know who is going to tie my bow tie?"

"I certainly do," said his wife calmly. "The mortician at the funeral home.”

Sometimes we get a little too big for our britches.

Many moons ago I was getting on to Joshua who (3 or 4 years old), and he looked up at me with his big eyes and said, “You’re not the boss. [Oh really?] Jesus is!”

Sometimes we need a friendly reminder that we AREN’T the Boss…Jesus is.

Today’s teaching will make that crystal clear. The Bible uses a symbolic term to clarify His position of authority -

THE CORNERSTONE. In a world built with steel, concrete, & wood, most of us aren’t familiar with that term. A cornerstone was often a large stone, but always an important stone - binding two walls together to strengthen them. The Bible often uses this symbol for rulers or leaders (Ps. 118:22; 144:12; Isa. 19:13; Zech. 10:4). Toward the end of today’s teaching, this is what Jesus calls Himself - the cornerstone (Mt 21:42).

Richard Lenski writes that Jesus is “the one who governs every angle…in the great spiritual temple of God, the new covenant.” [1]

Jesus is the CORNERSTONE - the KING of the KINGdom!

Is Jesus the Cornerstone of your life - the authority of your life - the One who governs your life? OR…are YOU sitting on the throne attempting to rule over your life?

PRAY

Matthew 21:18–19 (NIV) Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered.

Fig trees were common in Israel, sometimes growing over 20 feet high and just as wide. They not only produced sweet figs but also served as a place of rest & fellowship with others (Zech 3:9-10), protected from the baking sun. Remember when Jesus told Nathaniel He had seen him under the fig tree (Jn 1:48)?

The appearance of leaves on the fig tree gave the hope that it was bearing an early crop, but that was not the case, so Jesus curses the tree and it withered.

D.A. Carson writes that the tree “stood out because it was in leaf. Its leaves advertised that it was bearing, but the advertisement was false.” [2]

As we’ve seen multiple times, the Synoptics often give us more clarity than viewing one Gospel alone.

Sometimes one follows a chronological order (which is what Mark’s gospel does here),

while another gives a condensed synopsis instead - which is what Matthew does here.

For example, Matthew condenses the story where the tree withered quickly and amazed the disciples.

But Mark shows us that there was more time between the cursing of the tree and it's demise. Here's what Mark says.

Mark 11:13–14 (NIV) Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it.

It’s then that Mark mentions Jesus going to clean house at the temple (Mk 11:15-19), as we learned about last week.

Matthew’s account isn’t wrong, but it’s not chronological - it’s condensed to make a teaching point - as we’ll see in a minute.

According to Mark, it’s the next morning, while traveling back into Jerusalem, that they see the fig tree Jesus had cursed the day before.

Mark 11:20–21 (NIV) In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!”

Based on the context in both Matthew & Mark, this cursing of the fig tree seems to be something more significant than just being mad that a tree didn't have fruit.

This seems to symbolize what is about to occur - a cursing of unbelieving Israel, who advertises being fruitful but proves to be fruitless, and so is cursed by Jesus in judgement.

Matthew - making a teaching point - sandwiches this story between the cleansing of the temple, and what we're about to see -the questioning of Jesus’ authority by the religious leaders.

So, let’s pick back up in Matthew.

Matthew 21:20 (NIV) When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked.

Matthew 21:21-22 (NIV) Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

Moving mountains was a well known Jewish metaphor for accomplishing a seemingly impossible task and most likely was an allusion to Zech 4:6-7, where it’s not by the might of man but by God’s Spirit that the mighty mountain becomes level ground. [3]

And while we have no record of disciples of Jesus causing fig trees to wither nor throwing mountains into the sea, WE DO have examples where disciples of Jesus have faith and do not doubt, asking God to make the impossible become possible.

Peter is thrown into prison but miraculously released as the Church prays for him (Acts 12). God releases Paul & Silas from prison as they pray and sing to the Lord (Acts 16:25-26).

We have multiple testimonies of people being miraculously healed as the apostles ask God and trust God to heal (Acts 3:1-11, 5:12, 9:40, 28:7–10).

And even through persecution, the Good News of Jesus marches on while enemies of the Gospel wither and are moved out of the way - as God works among His people who ask Him and trust Him to move.

As should always be understood - WE don’t have the authority that Jesus had to speak things into or out of existence. We DO - however, have the privilege to approach our Heavenly Father and ask HIM to do what we cannot, asking that HIS WILL be done (Mt 6:10, 26:42).

So…what MOUNTAIN - what seemingly impossible barrier - are you TRUSTING & ASKING God to move/remove?

Matthew 21:23 (NIV) Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?”

We often hear people say things like, “Who gives you THE RIGHT to judge others?” That’s what these religious leaders were asking. “By what authority are you doing these things?”

These things are likely referring not only to His teaching and healing in the temple, but the TEMPLE TANTRUM that we saw last week, where Jesus ran out the money changers and animals, and accused the temple leaders of making this a den of robbers rather than a house of prayer.

Jesus had no rabbinical pedigree as He wasn’t trained by well-established rabbis.

Jesus hadn’t been to their schools to train and didn’t have a seminary plaque in his office - He didn’t even have an office!

He wasn’t part of the Sanhedrin - the Jewish ruling body.

So just WHO gave Him the authority to do these things?

Jesus answered that question…with a question.

Matthew 21:24–25a (NIV) Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?”

John’s baptism - HEAVENLY authority or HUMAN authority? The brightest & best are stumped at how they should answer, because they are now caught in a pickle play with nowhere to run.

Matthew 21:25b–27 (NIV) They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin’—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.” So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” Then he said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

“If we say John’s authority came from HEAVEN/GOD, Jesus will claim the same; but if we say John’s authority was only HUMAN -not really from God - …the people might stone us.”…so they plead the 5th - ‘We can’t say as either one will get us in trouble.’

But then Jesus makes it PERFECTLY CLEAR whose authority He claims to have by telling a story.

Matthew 21:28–30 (NIV) What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, “Son, go and work today in the vineyard.” “I will not,” he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, “I will, sir,” but he did not go.

Matthew 21:31a (NIV) “Which of the two did what his father wanted?” “The first,” they answered.

Matthew 21:31b–32 (NIV) Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

Jesus obviously recognized that John told the truth and was sent by God. Tax collectors and prostitutes who listened to John - who originally told God “No!” - changed their minds, to believe and repent. So too, we see examples of tax collectors like Zaccheus & Matthew following Jesus along with prostitutes and other wicked sinners.

The religious leaders, however, were like the son who said, “Yes sir! I’ll obey you” to his father, but did NOT.

And so, the irony of the story is that the worst of the worst sinners - tax collectors and prostitutes, we're welcomed into the kingdom while the best of the best among the Jews– these religious leaders – were shut out from the kingdom.

There’s no doubt they understood what Jesus was saying. What a stick in the eye! And He’s not done!

Matthew 21:33–34 (NIV) Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place. When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his fruit.

Matthew 21:35–37 (NIV) The tenants seized his servants; they beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. Then he sent other servants to them, more than the first time, and the tenants treated them the same way. Last of all, he sent his son to them. “They will respect my son,” he said.

Matthew 21:38-40 (NIV) But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, “This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him and take his inheritance.” So they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants? [Jesus is likely asking the audience who had been listening to Him teach…and they answered…]

Matthew 21:41 (NIV) “He will bring those wretches to a wretched end,” they replied , “and he will rent the vineyard to other tenants, who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time.”

What in the world is Jesus talking about?

The Landowner is God the Father.

The tenants working the land are the religious leaders who long before this time and including the leaders Jesus is talking to.

The servants who have been imprisoned and killed are the prophets - men like John the Baptist, who had spoken God’s truth & warned of God’s wrath - who were persecuted and thrown out instead of being appreciated and listened to.

The Son is, of course…Jesus. Who, within less than a week, will be handed over by these men, to the Romans to be crucified.

And finally, the future tenants - we’ll see who they are in just a moment.

Do you see the picture now?

We conclude today’s teaching with these powerful words from Jesus pointing to what is coming in the near future for these FIG TREES with LEAVES, but NO FRUIT.

Matthew 21:42 (NIV) Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: “ ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? [Jesus quotes Ps 118:22-23]

There are different thoughts among archaeologists & Bible scholars on what Jesus is referring to that we translate as cornerstone.

Cornerstone could certainly be referring to a LARGE foundational stone like this found at the base of the Temple Mount enclosure wall. These cornerstones are estimated to weigh over 80 tons!

Or this might be referring to KEYSTONES in middle of an arched gateways/doorways - like this. The KEYSTONE was the center and topmost stone that joins the other 2 sides and supports the arch. [4] Remove this stone and the arch and all it supports would come tumbling down. Further, this stone often had the name of the city, the ruler, or the builder carved into it.[5]

It’s pretty incredible to think of the name JESUS being placed at the highest point of the gate, under which everyone would have to walk under to enter!

Both these types of stones carry the idea of foundational permanence.

Either way, imagine the stonemasons carefully examining the raw materials in order to select only the best stones for building the Temple. One stone doesn’t make the grade of what is worthy and so they throw it onto the reject pile…but THAT Stone, the one they rejected - is the most important piece - the Cornerstone!

One day their Temple would be obliterated with all the stones throne down (AD 70). And it will become clear that the temple of God is in the heart of mankind and…

Jesus is the CORNERSTONE - the KING of the KINGdom!

…which everything else in built upon.

Jesus warns of what is coming to the religious elite who have rejected the Cornerstone.

Matthew 21:43–44 (NIV) Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. Anyone who falls on this Stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom It falls will be crushed.”

The New Testament writers warned the unbelieving Jews that they had been judged guilty (Acts 4:11), the Gospel message would be taken by tax collectors, fishermen, former-prostitutes - instead of the religious elite - and that Gospel message was going out to the Gentiles instead.

Thus, the disciples of Jesus - faithful Jews & Gentiles - are the future tenants who will produce fruit by furthering the Kingdom of Jesus.

But those who fall on this [corner]stone will be broken to pieces OR crushed. What’s THAT all about?

There are 2 views between those whom fall on this Stone and the one on whom this Stone falls.

Some say this is just parallelism, where Jesus says the same thing 2 different ways - that those who reject Jesus will be broken to pieces, crushed - pulverize & turned into dust.

Others say those who fall on this Stone are broken - humbled - yet not crushed - now humbled & able to turn to Jesus.

In either case, as Richard Lenski says, “A fall on this stone never hurts the stone but only damages the one who falls” or the one on whom it falls. [6]

John MacArthur writes: “For those who will not have Jesus as Deliverer, He becomes Destroyer.” [7]

This is an incredible claim! That God’s judgment falls on those who reject Jesus as the Cornerstone!

Matthew 21:45–46 (NIV) When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard Jesus’ parables, they knew he was talking about them. They looked for a way to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowd because the people held that he was a prophet.

You know what amazes me? How many people REALLY actually believe they can reject the Cornerstone…or at least dilute His claims….and then expect to make it into the Kingdom of God!

The longer you’re a follower of Jesus, not only will you see people turn from their sin and follow him…but you will likely see several turn from the Biblical Jesus altogether or build their own version of Jesus’ (build-a-bear Jesus) — the cuddly Jesus who loves everyone & teaches great stuff about loving people.

Interestingly - according to them - Jesus would never claim He is the only way to God and would certainly NEVER judge someone guilty for taking a different road to God.

WHERE do they Get that from? How dare we quote Jesus from the gospels when we LIKE what He says & then DISCOUNT what we don’t like.

And one day, He WILL judge all mankind (Mt 25). Because…

Jesus is the CORNERSTONE - the KING of the KINGdom!

Feet2Faith

Get in the Gospels & read the Biblical Jesus. Be blown away by His mercy, compassion, miraculous power, unrivaled teaching, and His righteous judgement. Don’t discount any of it!

Answer the question: What IS the cornerstone of my life? Where is my hope & purpose found? If I die today, I am certain that my salvation is secure?

___________

R. C. H. Lenski, The Interpretation of St. Luke’s Gospel (Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House, 1961), 983–984.

D. A. Carson, “Matthew,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Matthew, Mark, Luke, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 8 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1984), 444–445.

Craig S. Keener, The Gospel of Matthew: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2009), 505.

Michael J. Wilkins, Matthew, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 2004), 698.

Dennis M. Swanson, “Cornerstone,” ed. David Noel Freedman, Allen C. Myers, and Astrid B. Beck, Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans, 2000), 285.

R. C. H. Lenski, The Interpretation of St. Matthew’s Gospel (Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House, 1961), 845.

John F. MacArthur Jr., Matthew, vol. 3, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1985), 299.

Discussion Questions

Read Matthew 21:18-19 & 21:43-46. Have you ever considered the correlation between the fig tree that looked to be fruitful, but was not, and the religious leaders who rejected the authority of Jesus? Explain your answer and take some time to examine the connection with your group.

Read Matthew 21:23-42. While reading the stories Jesus tells, spend some time deciphering what the stories are really illustrating & talk about the parallels between those who follow Jesus and those who reject Him (e.g. tax collectors & prostitutes vs religious leaders).

After reading today’s passage, how does the reaction of Jesus challenge you, encourage you, or cause you concern?

Today’s BIG TRUTH: Jesus is the CORNERSTONE - the KING of the KINGdom!. Take some time to discuss the importance of a cornerstone/keystone in a building and how that relates to Jesus.

Share any ‘aha’ moments in today’s study - what you learned or how you were challenged. What’s God want YOU to do with what we studied today?

In humility, take some time to share a couple of evidences that Jesus IS (or IS NOT) the Cornerstone of your life.

Read Matthew 21:29-22. What are some mountains you have seen God move? What are some ‘mountains’ you are asking & trusting God to move? Take some time to pray together with your group.