What Old Testament prophecies connect with the "cornerstone" in Mark 12:11? Introducing the Image of the Cornerstone Jesus’ parable of the vineyard tenants climaxes with His citation of Mark 12:10-11, “ ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes.’ ” That final phrase—“cornerstone”—carries a rich Old Testament history. Below are the prophetic passages that lay the groundwork for what Jesus declares. Psalm 118:22-23—The Core Prophecy • “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is from the LORD, and it is marvelous in our eyes.” • Psalm 118 is a victory psalm sung by pilgrims entering Jerusalem. While originally celebrating Israel’s deliverance, the Spirit embedded a deeper Messianic layer: the rejected One would be exalted as the very foundation. Isaiah 28:16—The Foundation Stone in Zion • “Therefore the Lord GOD says: ‘See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; whoever believes will not act hastily.’ ” • Isaiah links the cornerstone with trust. Unlike the shaky alliances of Isaiah’s day, God’s appointed stone gives immovable security—fulfilled in Christ. Isaiah 8:13-15—Stone of Both Sanctuary and Stumbling • “It is the LORD of Hosts you are to regard as holy… He will be a sanctuary—but to both houses of Israel, a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” • The same stone that saves also judges. For those rejecting Him, the cornerstone becomes an obstacle, a truth Jesus applies to the leaders who refuse His authority. Zechariah 10:3-4—Cornerstone Out of Judah • “The LORD of Hosts will care for His flock, the house of Judah… From Judah will come the cornerstone, from him the tent peg, from him the battle bow, from him every ruler together.” • Zechariah envisions a royal, military-victorious cornerstone rising from Judah—another pointer to the Messianic King. Daniel 2:34-35, 44-45—The Stone That Shatters Kingdoms • In Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, “a stone was cut out, but not by human hands, and it struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay, and crushed them… The stone that struck the statue became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.” (excerpts) • Daniel identifies the stone with the everlasting kingdom God will establish, overpowering all human empires—again anticipating Christ’s reign. How the Prophecies Interlock • Rejection → Exaltation (Psalm 118) • Sure foundation for believers (Isaiah 28) • Offense to the unbelieving (Isaiah 8) • Royal authority from Judah (Zechariah 10) • Universal, unshakable kingdom (Daniel 2) Each passage shines a different facet of the same jewel. When Jesus quotes Psalm 118 in Mark 12:11, He gathers all these threads into a single declaration: He is the foretold cornerstone—rejected by the builders, yet chosen and honored by God as the bedrock of redemption and the judge of every kingdom. |
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