They had pronounced their own doom! Under Jesus’ searching gaze they knew He read the secrets of their hearts. They saw a picture of themselves in the tenants. RR 250.1
Regretfully Christ asked: “Have you never read in the Scriptures, ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it.” Matthew 21:42-44. RR 250.2
The Jewish nation determined that they would not receive Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah. From that time on, darkness surrounded their lives like midnight. The predicted doom came on the Jewish nation. In their blind rage they destroyed one another. Their rebellious pride brought the wrath of their Roman conquerors on them. The Romans destroyed Jerusalem, laid the temple in ruins, and plowed its site like a field. Millions were sold as slaves in heathen lands. RR 250.3