So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter's pointing out a stunning reversal here: what people disregard is the very thing God crowns with supreme importance. It's a reminder that God's economy often flips our human value systems upside down, celebrating the very things the world casts aside.
So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter is building on the idea that Jesus is the living stone, rejected by humans but chosen by God. He's explaining how this rejection and subsequent exaltation is incredibly good news for believers, contrasting their honored status with the judgment awaiting those who reject Christ. This leads into the affirmation that those who place their faith in Jesus are part of God's spiritual house, destined for honor, while unbelievers face condemnation.
Have you ever felt overlooked or dismissed? This verse talks about a stone that was rejected, yet became the most important part of a building. It’s a powerful picture of God’s perspective versus the world’s.
Peter quotes Psalm 118 here, showing how what seems like a failure to humans is actually part of God's perfect plan. The builders (religious leaders, those in power) rejected Jesus. They didn't see His value. But God, the Master Builder, knew this rejected stone was essential – it became the cornerstone. A cornerstone was vital; it set the foundation and alignment for the entire building. Jesus isn't just a stone; He is the cornerstone upon which everything else is built.
This has huge implications for us. When we believe in Jesus, we align ourselves with God's ultimate plan. What the world might reject – our faith, our commitment to Christ – is precisely what makes us honored in God’s eyes.
This verse draws a sharp line between two groups of people. It’s not just about intellectual assent; it’s about who recognizes and builds their life on Jesus.
Peter makes a clear distinction: 'So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe...' Belief here isn't passive. It's an active choice to trust in and build upon Jesus, the cornerstone. Those who believe receive honor because they are united with Christ, God's chosen and precious foundation. Their lives are now aligned with God's eternal purpose.
On the other hand, those who do not believe reject this cornerstone. Their rejection means they are not part of God's building project in Christ. The verse implicitly states that their path leads to a different outcome than honor.
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Understand the original words
timē · Greek Noun
A position of high regard, distinction, or weightiness. It is the status granted to believers because they are united to the honored Christ.
Peter's audience, living as a scattered and often marginalized community, would have deeply understood the sting of rejection. By quoting Psalm 118, he reminds them that the very One they believe in, though rejected by many human authorities, is the precious cornerstone of God's eternal plan.
c. 1000-950 BC
David Establishes Jerusalem
David conquers Jerusalem and makes it the capital of Israel, bringing the Ark of the Covenant and establishing a united kingdom centered on his city.
c. 970-931 BC
Solomon Builds the Temple
David's son Solomon builds the magnificent First Temple in Jerusalem, a stunning architectural and religious achievement that becomes the focal point of Israelite worship.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
The Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar II conquers Jerusalem, destroys the First Temple, and exiles a significant portion of the Jewish population to Babylon.
c. 538 BC
Return from Exile
Following the Persian conquest of Babylon, Cyrus the Great allows the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple, though on a smaller scale than before.
c. 516 BC
Dedication of the Second Temple
The rebuilt Second Temple is dedicated, marking a crucial moment of religious restoration for the returned exiles, though it lacks the glory of Solomon's original Temple.
1st Century AD
Jesus' Ministry and Rejection
Jesus of Nazareth ministers in Israel, teaching and performing miracles, but is ultimately rejected and crucified by many of the religious leaders and the populace.
c. AD 62-64— this verse
Peter Writes His First Epistle
The Apostle Peter writes his first letter from Rome to scattered believers in Asia Minor, encouraging them amidst persecution and reminding them of their identity in Christ.
This is the direct Old Testament source of the quote, showing that the rejected stone becoming the cornerstone was a foundational concept in Israel's understanding of God's chosen one.
Matthew 21:42Jesus himself quotes this same passage when confronted by religious leaders, directly applying the prophecy to himself and His rejection by those in authority.
Acts 4:11Peter, the author of 1 Peter, preaches this same truth in Acts, identifying Jesus as the rejected stone and the only way to salvation, reinforcing the message.
Romans 9:33Paul echoes this theme, warning that disbelief in Christ leads to stumbling, while belief secures a sure foundation, highlighting the consequence of rejecting the cornerstone.
Peter's pointing out a stunning reversal here: what people disregard is the very thing God crowns with supreme importance. It's a reminder that God's economy often flips our human value systems upside down, celebrating the very things the world casts aside.
Peter is building on the idea that Jesus is the living stone, rejected by humans but chosen by God. He's explaining how this rejection and subsequent exaltation is incredibly good news for believers, contrasting their honored status with the judgment awaiting those who reject Christ. This leads into the affirmation that those who place their faith in Jesus are part of God's spiritual house, destined for honor, while unbelievers face condemnation.
Peter is building on the idea that Jesus is the living stone, rejected by humans but chosen by God. He's explaining how this rejection and subsequent exaltation is incredibly good news for believers, contrasting their honored status with the judgment awaiting those who reject Christ. This leads into the affirmation that those who place their faith in Jesus are part of God's spiritual house, destined for honor, while unbelievers face condemnation.
"So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,
“The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone,”" — Peter's pointing out a stunning reversal here: what people *disregard* is the very thing God crowns with supreme importance. It's a reminder that God's economy often flips our human value systems ups…
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Last reviewed October 2026