What is the meaning of Luke 20:18?

Everyone who falls on this stone

Jesus has just identified Himself as “the stone the builders rejected” (Luke 20:17, citing Psalm 118:22).

• That “stone” is Christ—God’s chosen, immovable Cornerstone (Isaiah 28:16; 1 Peter 2:6).

• “Everyone” makes the warning universal; no one escapes this encounter with Him (Romans 14:11).

• To “fall” on the stone pictures stumbling over Him through unbelief, as Israel’s leaders were doing (Romans 9:32–33; Isaiah 8:14–15).

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will be broken to pieces

• Stumbling over Christ exposes pride and shatters self-righteousness; He graciously breaks what must be broken so repentance can form (Psalm 34:18; Isaiah 66:2).

• Being “broken” is painful but not final. Many who first stumble—Paul being a prime example—are later restored by the very One they opposed (1 Timothy 1:13–16).

• The parallel in Matthew 21:44 repeats the same line, stressing that Jesus meant what He said.

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but he on whom it falls

• Now the picture flips: instead of people tripping over the Stone, the Stone comes down in judgment (Daniel 2:34–35, 44–45).

• This points to Christ’s future return when He will act, not as the rejected Cornerstone, but as conquering King (Revelation 19:15; Psalm 2:9).

• Those who have refused Him will face the Stone’s unstoppable impact (Hebrews 10:27).

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will be crushed

• “Crushed” (or “ground to powder”) describes irreversible ruin—eternal separation from God (2 Thessalonians 1:7–9; Matthew 25:41, 46).

• Luke’s immediate context reinforces this outcome: the wicked tenants in the parable are “destroyed” by the vineyard owner (Luke 20:16).

• Unlike the earlier “brokenness” that can lead to healing, this crushing is final judgment. The choice is stark: humble contrition or eternal destruction.

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summary

Luke 20:18 presents two inevitable encounters with Jesus, the Cornerstone. We may stumble over Him now, have our pride broken, and receive mercy—or we may resist Him until the day He falls in judgment, bringing utter destruction. Scripture leaves no middle ground: embrace the Stone in faith and live, or be crushed under it in judgment.