As Jesus transitions from this parable to His teaching in Matthew 21:42-46, He underscores the gravity of their rejection by drawing on Psalm 118:22-23. Here, Jesus identifies Himself as the cornerstone the builders rejected, a stone that will become the foundation of God’s redemptive work. This transition from the tenants’ violent rebellion to the imagery of the cornerstone sharpens the focus on the leaders’ failure to recognize and accept Jesus, highlighting both the judgment awaiting them and the pivotal role of Christ in God's salvation plan.
