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Luke 20:18

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Luke 20:18 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Every one that falleth on that stone shall be broken to pieces; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will scatter him as dust.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Every one that falleth on that stone shall be broken to pieces; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will scatter him as dust.
Luke 20:18 — American Standard Version

Context — Luke 20

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
15And they cast him forth out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore will the lord of the vineyard do unto them?
16He will come and destroy these husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid.
17But he looked upon them, and said, What then is this that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, The same was made the head of the corner?
18Every one that falleth on that stone shall be broken to pieces; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will scatter him as dust.
19And the scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him in that very hour; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he spake this parable against them.
20And they watched him, and sent forth spies, who feigned themselves to be righteous, that they might take hold of his speech, so as to deliver him up to the rule and to the authority of the governor.
21And they asked him, saying, Teacher, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, and acceptest not the person [of any], but of a truth teachest the way of God:
← Luke 20:17Luke 20:19 →
← Full Chapter 20 Luke Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Whosoever shall fall on that stone, shall be broken, etc.] Not who shall fall upon Christ by faith, and build upon him as the foundation stone, for such shall be saved; but that stumble at him, and are offended with him, and fall by unbelief and hardness of heart; such do themselves much hurt and mischief and expose themselves to danger and ruin; they bid very fair for destruction: but on whomsoever it shall fall; as it did with its full weight upon the Jews at their destruction, and as it will upon all Christless sinners at the last day: it will grind him to powder; the ruin of such will be unavoidable, and there will be no recovery; (see Gill on “<402144>Matthew 21:44”).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See this parable explained in the notes at Matthew 21:33-45. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Mat 21:45. Luke 20:20”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“20:18 Jesus expanded the stone metaphor (20:17) with allusions to Isa 8:14-15 and Dan 2:34, 44-45. Although Israel rejected him, Jesus was the foundation for the new people of God, and he inaugurated a Kingdom that would last forever.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“shall fall: This is an allusion to the Jewish mode of stoning. "The place of stoning was twice as high as a man. From the top of this one of the witnesses struck the culprit on the loins, and felled him to the ground. if he died of this, well; if not, the other witness threw a stone upon his heart," etc. Our Lord seems to refer not only to the dreadful crushing of the Jews by the Romans, but also to their general dispersion to the present day. Isa 8:14, Isa 8:15; Dan 2:34, Dan 2:35, Dan 2:44, Dan 2:45; Zac 12:3; Mat 21:34; Th1 2:16 Luke 20:19”
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Related study paths

Read Luke 20 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification