Luke 20:17But he looked at them, and said, "Then what is this that is written, 'The stone which the builders rejected, the same was made the chief cornerstone?'
The setting
Jerusalem temple courts, ~30 AD. Jesus looks directly at the religious leaders and quotes Psalm 118, claiming to be the rejected cornerstone. Modern location: Temple Mount, Jerusalem, Israel.
The emotion here: quiet confidence in vindication coming
The original word
akrogōniaios (ἀκρογωνιαῖος) — the cornerstone that determines the alignment of the entire building
Why it matters
Cornerstone laying was celebrated with festivals — the rejected stone becoming cornerstone was ultimate vindication
Read with care
What most readers miss in Luke 20:17
Jesus LOOKED at them when He said this — it was a direct, piercing gaze
Common misconceptionPeople think this is just about Jesus, but the cornerstone principle applies to anyone God chooses — He specializes in using the rejected and overlooked.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Luke 20:17
Bible Genome reading
Luke 20:17 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Luke 20:17 comes from the book of Luke, written during the gospel period. The setting is the Temple. These words are attributed to Jesus. The dominant emotion in this verse is worship, with a comfort power of 70% and a tone that is reflective. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include rejection, exaltation. Notable phrases: stone builders rejected; chief cornerstone. This verse contains a promise of God. This verse contains prophecy.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same worship
“Hear, Israel: Yahweh is our God; Yahweh is one:”
— Deuteronomy 6:4
“and you shall love Yahweh your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.”
— Deuteronomy 6:5
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:”
— Ecclesiastes 3:1
“Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.”
— John 14:6
“Jesus said to them, "Most certainly, I tell you, before Abraham came into existence, I AM."”
— John 8:58
Your reflection
What does Luke 20:17 mean to you, today?
A short note. A question. A prayer. Saved privately to your Soul Garden, dated, and tied to this verse forever.
Speak your heart →Get 3 verses for "worship"
Delivered to your inbox right now. Free.