Acts 4:11

11 Jesus is “ ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’[a]

Acts 4:11 in Other Translations

KJV
11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
ESV
11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.
NLT
11 For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, ‘The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’
MSG
11 Jesus is 'the stone you masons threw out, which is now the cornerstone.'
CSB
11 This [Jesus] is The stone despised by you builders, who has become the cornerstone.

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 are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed,
10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.
11 Jesus is “ ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’
12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

Cross References 1

  • 1. Psalms 118:22; Isaiah 28:16; Zechariah 10:4; Matthew 21:42; Ephesians 2:20; 1 Peter 2:7

Footnotes 1

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