Strong’s Greek 4917 appears only in the future passive form συνθλασθήσεται (“will be crushed, dashed to pieces”). The verb evokes violent shattering rather than a mild breaking, underscoring total ruin when divine judgment is unleashed.

Context in the Gospels

Both New Testament uses occur in the same teaching moment—Matthew 21:44 and Luke 20:18—where Jesus cites Psalm 118’s rejected stone. Having pronounced the parable of the wicked tenants, He warns that two fates await all who encounter Him:

1. “He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces” (Matthew 21:44) – the personal crash of stumbling in unbelief.
2. “On whomever it falls, it will crush him” (Luke 20:18) – the final, irreversible judgment at His appointed time.

The verb’s severity magnifies the contrast between saving faith and catastrophic rejection.

Old Testament Foundations

Israel’s Scriptures already connect the imagery of crushing with divine judgment. Isaiah 8:14–15 foretells that the Lord “will be a stone that causes people to stumble… many… will fall and be broken.” Daniel 2:34–35 pictures a stone that strikes and pulverizes the nations’ statue, filling the whole earth with God’s kingdom. Jesus therefore places Himself squarely in the prophetic stream: the Stone who judges idolatry and unbelief.

Christological Significance

Calling Himself the Stone, Jesus claims messianic authority and deity. Those who “fall” on Him experience painful but redemptive exposure of sin (brokenness that can lead to salvation). Those on whom the Stone “falls” face utter destruction at His return. The twin outcomes uphold both His mercy and His justice, displaying the perfect harmony of God’s character.

Historical Echoes

The immediate audience—Jerusalem’s leaders—soon witnessed a foretaste of this crushing when the city and temple fell in AD 70. The event reinforces the verb’s seriousness and foreshadows the final verdict at the Great White Throne (Revelation 20:11–15).

Eschatological Dimension

Synθλασθήσεται anticipates the consummation when Christ overthrows all opposition. Revelation’s “iron scepter” (Revelation 19:15) echoes the same total shattering. The language invites sober reflection on the irreversible nature of final judgment.

Pastoral and Discipleship Applications

• Gospel Urgency – The crushing imagery compels believers to plead with the lost, “Be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20).
• Holy Fear – Souls already resting on the Cornerstone are reminded that grace is not cheap; the Stone they trust is also the Stone that crushes.
• Healthy Brokenness – Allowing the Word to “break” pride now is infinitely better than being shattered later. Spiritual disciplines that expose sin (James 1:22–25) align the heart with God’s purposes.

Homiletical Insights

A sermon or lesson can trace the Stone motif from Genesis 28:18, through Davidic psalms, to the Gospels, culminating in 1 Peter 2:6–8. Emphasize the two distinct verbs: “broken” (constructive) versus “crushed” (destructive). Illustrate with Jeremiah’s smashed jar (Jeremiah 19) to show that willful hardness invites irreversible ruin.

Doctrinal Affirmations

• The exclusivity of Christ: salvation or judgment hinges on one’s response to Him (John 3:18).
• The harmony of Scripture: New Testament usage of 4917 fulfills and clarifies Old Testament prophecy.
• Divine sovereignty: history will climax exactly as the Stone decrees, vindicating God’s righteousness.

References for Further Study

Matthew 21:33–46; Luke 20:9–19; Psalm 118:22–23; Isaiah 28:16; Daniel 2:44–45; Romans 9:32–33; 1 Peter 2:4–10; Revelation 19:11–21.