Matthew 21:42

Here’s a word-by-word comparison of Matthew 21:42 across the Septuagint (LXX), Hebrew Scriptures (MT), NIV, KJV, and Greek Textus Receptus (TR), along with analysis of the Old Testament quotation (from Psalm 118:22-23).

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Matthew 21:42 (Jesus’ Quotation of Psalm 118:22–23)

1. Greek Text (Textus Receptus – TR):

Λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς· οὐδέποτε ἀνέγνωτε ἐν ταῖς γραφαῖς· λίθον ὃν ἀπεδοκίμασαν οἱ οἰκοδομοῦντες, οὗτος ἐγενήθη εἰς κεφαλὴν γωνίας· παρὰ Κυρίου ἐγένετο αὕτη, καὶ ἔστιν θαυμαστὴ ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς ἡμῶν;

2. Septuagint (LXX – Psalm 117:22–23):

λίθον ὃν ἀπεδοκίμασαν οἱ οἰκοδομοῦντες, οὗτος ἐγενήθη εἰς κεφαλὴν γωνίας· παρὰ Κυρίου ἐγένετο αὕτη, καὶ ἔστιν θαυμαστὴ ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς ἡμῶν.

3. Hebrew Masoretic Text (MT – Psalm 118:22–23):

אֶבֶן מָאֲסוּ הַבּוֹנִים הָיְתָה לְרֹאשׁ פִּנָּה׃
מֵאֵת יְהוָה הָיְתָה זֹּאת הִיא נִפְלָאת בְּעֵינֵינוּ׃

4. King James Version (KJV – Matthew 21:42):

"Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?"

5. New International Version (NIV – Matthew 21:42):

"Jesus said to them, 'Have you never read in the Scriptures: “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes”?'"

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Comparison & Analysis

1.  Textual Fidelity:

o   The TR (Matthew 21:42) quotes the LXX (Psalm 117:22–23) almost verbatim, showing Jesus’ reliance on the Greek Septuagint.

o   The Hebrew MT (Psalm 118:22–23) matches the LXX in meaning but differs slightly in wording:

§  "רֹאשׁ פִּנָּה" (rosh pinah) = "head of the corner" (MT)

§  "κεφαλὴν γωνίας" (kephalēn gōnias) = "head of the corner" (LXX/TR)

§  NIV uses "cornerstone" (a dynamic equivalent).

2.  Key Differences:

o   "ἀπεδοκίμασαν" (apedokimasan – "rejected") in LXX/TR is stronger than "מָאֲסוּ" (ma’asu – "rejected" or "despised") in Hebrew.

o   "θαυμαστὴ" (thaumastē – "marvelous") in Greek matches "נִפְלָאת" (niflat – "wonderful") in Hebrew.

3.  Translation Choices:

o   KJV follows the LXX/TR closely ("head of the corner").

o   NIV paraphrases "κεφαλὴν γωνίας" as "cornerstone" for clarity.

Conclusion

Jesus’ quotation in Matthew 21:42 aligns exactly with the LXX, which itself is a faithful translation of the Hebrew. The NIV and KJV both convey the same meaning, with the KJV being more literal to the Greek.