Acts 4:11

11 *He* is the stone which has been set at nought by you the builders, which is become the corner stone.

Acts 4:11 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 4:11

This is the stone
That is, this Jesus of Nazareth, by whose name the lame man was made whole, is that stone spoken of in ( Psalms 118:22 ) by whom is meant the true Messiah, comparable to a stone, for his strength and duration, and usefulness, as a foundation and corner stone, in the spiritual building of the church; and yet notwithstanding is the stone which was set at nought of you builders:
the priests, elders, and Scribes; who were fond of being called builders, but made miserable work of it; despising and rejecting the stone of Israel, and instead of him as a foundation, built themselves, and others, on the traditions of the elders, and their own righteousness: but though Christ was rejected by them, both in person and in doctrine, and was ignominiously treated, and at last put to death, yet he was raised from the dead, and exalted at the right hand of God; and is the stone, which is become the head of the corner;
or the chief corner stone, that adorns, strengthens, knits, and keeps together, the whole building; in which Jews and Gentiles, saints in all ages and places, even all the elect of God, are united together; (See Gill on Matthew 21:42).

Acts 4:11 In-Context

9 if *we* this day are called upon to answer as to the good deed [done] to the infirm man, how *he* has been healed,
10 be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazaraean, whom *ye* have crucified, whom God has raised from among [the] dead, by *him* this [man] stands here before you sound [in body].
11 *He* is the stone which has been set at nought by you the builders, which is become the corner stone.
12 And salvation is in none other, for neither is there another name under heaven which is given among men by which we must be saved.
13 But seeing the boldness of Peter and John, and perceiving that they were unlettered and uninstructed men, they wondered; and they recognised them that they were with Jesus.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Lit. 'head of corner,' see Ps. 118.22.
The Darby Translation is in the public domain.