The Application and Significance of the Parable (21:42-46).
Jesus then makes clear the basic facts which the parable is bringing home, that the very Stone which is the keystone of the whole of God's building, is to be rejected by the builders, but will then be made the head of the corner by God. And the result is that the Kingly Rule of God will be taken away from them, and will be given to a nation which will bring forth its fruits, built upon God's Cornerstone, while for those who have rejected it, the Stone will either become a stone on which they fall so that their bodies are broken, or a Stone which will fall on them and crush them. It is a parable in itself.
Analysis.
a Jesus says to them, “Did you never read in the scriptures,
‘The stone which the builders rejected,
The same was made the head of the corner.'
This was from the Lord,
And it is marvellous in our eyes?” (Matthew 21:42)
b “Therefore I say to you, The Kingly Rule of God will be taken away from you, and will be given to a nation bringing forth its fruits” (Matthew 21:43).
c “And he who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but on whoever it will fall, it will scatter him as dust” (Matthew 21:44).
b And when the chief priests and the Pharisees heard His parables, they perceived that He spoke of them (Matthew 21:45).
a And when they sought to lay hold on Him (the builders rejected Him), they feared the crowds, because they took Him for a prophet (they made Him the head of the corner) (Matthew 21:46).
Note that in ‘a' the builders reject the Stone, but the Stone is made the Head of the corner, while in the parallel similar things happen. In ‘b' the Kingly Rule of God is to be taken away from those who should have been participating in it (Matthew 21:31-32), and the Chief Priests and the Pharisees recognise that He is referring to them. Centrally in ‘c' is the effect of the Stone on all who reject it.