Luke 20:18 Meaning and Explanation
“Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Whoever falls on that stone will be broken, and the one on whom it falls will be ground to powder.
What Does Luke 20:18 Mean?
Jesus extends the stone image with words that gather up the prophets: Isaiah's stone of stumbling, over which men fall and are broken (Isaiah 8:14-15), and Daniel's stone cut out without hands, which crushes every power that stands against it (Daniel 2:34-35, 44).
No one remains neutral toward this stone. To fall upon it — to collide with Christ and be broken in one's pride — is painful but not fatal; broken things can be healed and rebuilt. But to have the stone fall in final judgment is to be scattered like dust. The verse is a mercy in the form of a warning: better to be broken before him now, in repentance, than to stand unbroken against him to the end.
Luke 20:18 in the Original Language
likmao (λικμάω), 'grind to powder' -- to winnow; to crush and scatter like chaff on the wind.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 20:18
What does Luke 20:18 mean?
Whoever falls on that stone will be broken, and the one on whom it falls will be ground to powder.