Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

LUKE 20:18KJV
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Luke 20:18 (KJV)

What does Luke 20:18 mean?

Luke 20:18 describes how anyone who stumbles over "that stone" will be broken, but if the stone falls on someone, it will crush them completely. The verse uses the image of a stone to show that encountering it can have serious, even destructive, consequences depending on how a person relates to it.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking to religious leaders and the crowd in Jerusalem, using the image of a stone to refer to himself as the cornerstone rejected by builders. The verse warns that rejecting or opposing him brings judgment, using vivid language to show both the danger of tripping over him and the greater danger of being crushed by him. The statement follows a parable about tenants rejecting the owner's son, making the warning personal for those listening.

The Greek behind Luke 20:18

  • "Stone" (λίθος, lithos): This word means a literal stone, but here it refers to Jesus as the foundational "cornerstone." The image comes from building, where the cornerstone is essential, and rejecting it is a serious error.
  • "Broken" (συνθλασθήσεται, synthlasthēsetai): This word means to be shattered or broken into pieces. It shows that stumbling over Jesus is not a minor mistake but brings real harm.
  • "Grind...to powder" (λικμήσει, likmēsei): This word means to crush or pulverize completely. The contrast with "broken" emphasizes that resisting Jesus can lead to total destruction, not just injury.

Why Luke 20:18 matters

  • Luke 20:18 clarifies that Jesus is not just a teacher but claims a decisive, central role in God's plan, using the cornerstone image from Scripture.
  • The verse warns that rejecting Jesus is not a neutral act; it brings consequences, which Jesus describes in strong, memorable terms.
  • This statement ties directly to the parable of the wicked tenants, making the warning about rejecting God's messenger clear to the religious leaders and anyone listening.

Where else these words appear

“broken” Greek G4917 · used in 2 verses

  • Matthew 21:44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

“grind” Greek G3039 · used in 2 verses

  • Matthew 21:44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

“stone” Greek G3037 · used in 55 verses

  • Matthew 3:9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
  • Luke 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
  • Acts 4:11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

“fall” Greek G4098 · used in 85 verses

  • Matthew 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
  • Luke 8:5 A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.
  • Romans 14:4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.