S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

In ancient building practices, the cornerstone was the principal stone placed at the corner of the edifice. The cornerstone was usually one of the largest, the most solid, and the most carefully co...

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July 01 2013 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

What does it mean that Jesus Christ is the cornerstone?

Jesus Christ is scripturally spoken of as the "foundation cornerstone" of the Christian congregation, which is likened to a spiritual house. Through Isaiah, God foretold that He would lay in Zion as a foundation "a stone, a tried stone, the precious corner of a sure foundation." (Isa 28:16) Peter quoted and applied to Jesus Christ this prophecy regarding the "foundation cornerstone" on which individual anointed Christians are built up as "living stones," to become a spiritual house or temple for God. (1Pe 2:4-6) 

Psalm 118:22 discloses that the stone rejected by the builders would become "the head of the corner" (Heb., roʼsh pin·nahʹ). Jesus quoted and applied this prophecy to himself as "the chief cornerstone" (Gr., ke·pha·leʹ go·niʹas, head of the corner). (Mt 21:42; Mr 12:10, 11; Lu 20:17) Just as the topmost stone of a building is conspicuous, so Jesus Christ is the crowning stone of the Christian congregation, which is likened to a spiritual temple. Peter also applied Psalm 118:22 to Christ, showing that he was "the stone" rejected by men but chosen by God to become "the head of the corner."​—Ac 4:8-12; see also 1Pe 2:4-7.

How did Peter himself understand Jesus' words? Growing up an Israelite, Peter would have been familiar with various Hebrew prophecies speaking of a "stone" or a "cornerstone." (Isaiah 8:13, 14; 28:16; Zechariah 3:9) When he quoted one of them in a letter to his fellow believers, Peter explained that the prophesied "cornerstone" was the Lord Jesus Christ, the Messiah. Peter used the Greek term pe'tra (the same word found in Jesus' statement at Matthew 16:18) for Christ alone.​—1 Peter 2:4-8.

Conclusion:

The image of Jesus as the cornerstone emphasises His supreme authority, reliability, and essential role in God's plan of salvation, serving as the sole foundation for a lasting spiritual life.

November 09 2025 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Leslie Coutinho Supporter

Luke 20:17: And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?

There was a man in Jerusalem, who was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, for the Holy Ghost was upon him whose name was Simeon. The Holy Ghost revealed to him that he should not see death until he had seen the Lord’s Christ, our Lord Jesus, and he came by the Spirit into the temple. (Lk 2:25-27) Simeon was led by God the Father, as Isaiah was revealed, that was written, “Behold, I am laying a Stone in Zion, a tested Stone, a precious cornerstone for your foundation, firmly placed, for he who believes in Him will not be disturbed. (Isa 28:16) Lord Jesus, when He was born, after eight days, was circumcised and then was brought to the temple. (Lk 2:21-22) Simeon, who was in the temple, was then led by the Spirit, and he took hold of Him, our Lord Jesus, in his arms, and blessed God. He then said, "Lord, now let thy servant depart in peace, according to thy Word, for my eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people of the earth through thy Son. For He shall be the light, to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy chosen people of Israel." (Lk 2:28-32)

Lord Jesus, as He grew up, was baptized, tempted by the devil, and then, by the power of the Spirit, began to preach. (Lk 4:1,13-15) A time came He sat by the seaside; a great multitude gathered together unto Him; He then went into a ship and sat, and the whole multitude stood on the shore, and He spoke unto them. (Mat 13:1-3) Lord Jesus, as He spoke unto them in parables, the Chief Cornerstone, the Sower of the Seed, who was and is today the Word of God, which He has revealed unto us. (Lk 8:4) One then needs to discern in the right spirit, as the Sower, who has sowed His seed unto us. The seed is the Word of God; as it is sowed, for those who are by the wayside are they that hear the word, then cometh the devil and taketh away the word of thy hearts, lest they believe and be saved. (Lk 8:5,12) To those upon whom that hear the word, having a hard rock in thy heart, having no root, as soon as it springs, it shall wither away, lacking moisture. (Lk 8:6,13) To those upon whom it falls, having thorns in thy heart, it shall spring up and be choked by cares and riches of pleasure of this life. (Lk 8:7,14) To those upon whom it falls, one having a Good Ground, which has an honest and good heart, having heard and keeping the word, it shall spring up, and you shall bear fruit a hundredfold. (Lk 8:8,15) 

Lord Jesus, the Head of the Corner, who was and is today of Zion, the Chief Cornerstone; He was and is the Sower of the Seed of the Word of God, who was sent by God the Father to His creation. (1 Pet 2:6) The Stone which the builder rejected, where the chief priests and the scribes with the elders who came and were of the temple when Lord Jesus taught and preached the gospel to the people in the temple. They then spoke unto Him, saying, “Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? And who has given thee this authority?” (Lk 20:1-2) Lord Jesus then answered them and said, "I will also ask you one thing, and answer Me: the baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?" They then reasoned among themselves and answered that they could not tell, as the people who believed John the Baptist would stone them, for they were persuaded that John was the prophet. (Lk 20:3-7) Lord Jesus, being our Chief Cornerstone, one who has faith and believeth in Him, in the works that He has done, shall you do also the greater works, as you ask unto Him, He is unto the Father that leads you today. (John 14:12-13)

Psalm 118:20-22: This gate of the Lord, into which the righteous shall enter. I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation. The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.

September 11 2026 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report