New Testament
Luke 20:18
The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English
At a Glance
In this verse, Jesus uses the metaphor of a stone to illustrate the consequences of rejecting Him.
- Author
- Luke the physician
- Written
- Around AD 60-62
- Genre
- Gospel and history
- Original Audience
- Gentile Christians (addressed to Theophilus)
Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken, and anyone it falls on will be crushed to powder.
Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
Verse Analysis
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, Jesus uses the metaphor of a stone to illustrate the consequences of rejecting Him. The stone represents Himself, and falling on it signifies humility and repentance. Those who come to Him in faith may experience brokenness, but it leads to healing and restoration. Conversely, if the stone falls on someone, it symbolizes judgment and destruction. This highlights the importance of recognizing Jesus' authority and the need to respond to Him appropriately. The imagery of being crushed to powder emphasizes the severity of rejecting God's message and the ultimate fate of those who oppose Him. This verse serves as a warning about the consequences of our choices regarding faith and obedience to God.
Related Bible verses
How to apply Luke 20:18 to your life
This verse encourages us to examine our relationship with Jesus. Are we approaching Him with humility, or are we resisting His call? It reminds us that acknowledging our need for Him leads to healing, while rejecting Him can lead to dire consequences. Choose wisely.
Curated for this public verse page. Luke Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does the stone represent in Luke 20:18?
In Luke 20:18, the stone represents Jesus Himself. He is the cornerstone of faith, and the metaphor illustrates the consequences of how individuals respond to Him. Falling on the stone signifies humility and repentance, while the stone falling on someone symbolizes judgment and destruction for those who reject Him.
How can I apply Luke 20:18 to my life?
Luke 20:18 encourages self-reflection regarding your relationship with Jesus. It prompts you to consider whether you are approaching Him with humility and a willingness to repent or resisting His call. Acknowledging your need for Him can lead to healing and restoration, while rejecting Him may lead to serious consequences.
What are the consequences of rejecting Jesus according to this verse?
According to Luke 20:18, rejecting Jesus leads to severe consequences. If the stone falls on someone, it symbolizes judgment and destruction, emphasizing the seriousness of opposing God's message. This serves as a warning about the ultimate fate of those who do not acknowledge Jesus' authority and choose to resist Him.
How does Luke 20:18 relate to faith and repentance?
Luke 20:18 highlights the relationship between faith, repentance, and the consequences of our choices. Falling on the stone represents coming to Jesus in faith and humility, which leads to healing. In contrast, rejecting Him results in judgment. This verse underscores the importance of responding to Jesus appropriately through genuine faith and repentance.

The Book of Luke
Luke 1: The Births of John the Baptist and Jesus Foretold
In the days of Herod, king of Judaea, a priest named Zacharias serves in the temple. He and his wife Elisabeth are both righteous but have no children because Elisabeth is barren, and they are both old. While Zacharias burns incense, the angel Gabriel appears to him and says Elisabeth will bear a son who is to be named John. The child will be great before the Lord, will drink no wine or strong drink, and will be filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb. He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. Zacharias asks how he can know this, since he and his wife are old. Gabriel says Zacharias will be unable to speak until these things come to pass because he did not believe.
Unlock the full Luke summary
Continue reading every chapter — themes, structure, and turning points.
The complete summary of Luke — a chapter-by-chapter breakdown covering all 24 chapters.
What you get
Every chapter of Luke summarized in clear, modern English
How each section connects — narrative flow, key themes, and turning points
Permanent access — read anytime, on any device
Best value • Save over 90%
One-time purchase • Access anytime
ClearBible summaries are proprietary content and may not be copied, republished, or resold.
Checkout works as a guest. After payment, you create an account to claim your unlock.