Peter is flipping the script on who gets the honor! While the world might reject and dismiss certain people, God sees them as foundational. The honor isn't just for believing; it's for being part of God's building project, even when others overlook you.
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,” and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter is building on his earlier point about Jesus being a living stone that believers are also being built into. He contrasts the value and acceptance Jesus receives from God with the rejection He faced from many humans, showing that those who don't believe are missing out on the true foundation. This leads into the idea that ultimately, the rejection of Jesus by some is part of God's plan, making Him the essential cornerstone of faith for those who do believe.
Peter tells believers they are 'honored.' But what does that even mean? And how does it connect to a rejected stone?
The Great Reversal
Peter is sharing a powerful truth here: honor is not found in worldly approval, but in God's perspective. For those who believe in Jesus, they are the ones who receive honor. This is a complete reversal of the world's values.
The world often honors the powerful, the popular, the ones who seem to have it all figured out. But God's economy is different. He lifts up the humble, the overlooked, and yes, even those whom the 'builders' of society – the religious leaders, the powerful – rejected.
Your honor comes from belonging to Christ, the One who was rejected but is now the very foundation of everything God is building.
Why was Jesus rejected? And how can someone rejected become the most important stone in a building?
The Foundation of Faith
The 'builders' in Peter's context refer primarily to the religious leaders of Jesus' day. They saw Jesus as a threat, a disruptor, and ultimately, they rejected him, even calling for his crucifixion.
But God had a different plan. He raised Jesus from the dead and made him the 'cornerstone.' This is the most critical stone in any building, laying the foundation and holding the structure together. Without the cornerstone, the building can't stand.
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Jesus, the one rejected by the 'experts,' is now the essential foundation for all of God's people, the church. Everything – our faith, our hope, our very identity – is built upon Him.
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.
proskomma · Greek Noun
An obstacle or impediment that causes one to trip and fall. Christ becomes a stumbling block to those who refuse to accept His humble, suffering nature as the path to salvation.
skandalou · Greek Noun
A source of annoyance or cause for falling. It refers to that which causes an unbeliever to reject or turn away from the gospel message.
apeithountes · Greek Verb
The refusal to submit to God’s revelation or authority. It characterizes the persistent state of unbelief in those who reject the gospel.
Peter directly links the rejection of Jesus by the religious establishment to His elevation by God as the ultimate cornerstone. This highlights the dramatic reversal of fortune and the divine vindication of Christ, even in the face of human disbelief and opposition.
c. 700 BC
Isaiah's Prophecy of the Cornerstone
Isaiah prophesied that God would lay a cornerstone in Zion, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation for His people.
c. 520 BC
Rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem
After returning from exile, the Jewish people began rebuilding the Temple under Zerubbabel, facing significant opposition and setbacks.
c. 30 AD
Jesus Begins His Ministry
Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah, began his public ministry, teaching, healing, and gathering disciples.
c. 33 AD— this verse
Rejection and Crucifixion of Jesus
Despite powerful signs and teachings, Jesus was rejected by the religious leaders and the people, leading to his crucifixion.
c. 33 AD
Resurrection of Jesus
God raised Jesus from the dead, vindicating Him and demonstrating His power over death. This confirmed Jesus as the Cornerstone.
c. 40s-60s AD
Early Church Spreads the Gospel
The apostles and early believers proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah and the cornerstone of God's new community, facing persecution.
This is the Old Testament passage that Peter is directly quoting, showing the foundational concept of the rejected stone becoming the chief cornerstone originates in the Psalms.
Matthew 21:42Jesus himself quotes this same Psalm when speaking to the religious leaders, directly linking the rejected stone to himself and the rejection he would face.
Acts 4:11Peter, along with John, preaches this very same truth about Jesus being the rejected cornerstone to the same religious authorities who rejected Him, solidifying the theological thread.
Isaiah 8:14This passage describes the Messiah as a stone that many will stumble over, highlighting the concept of Him being both a cornerstone for believers and a stumbling block for unbelievers.
Peter is flipping the script on who gets the honor! While the world might reject and dismiss certain people, God sees them as foundational. The honor isn't just for believing; it's for being part of God's building project, even when others overlook you.
Peter is building on his earlier point about Jesus being a living stone that believers are also being built into. He contrasts the value and acceptance Jesus receives from God with the rejection He faced from many humans, showing that those who don't believe are missing out on the true foundation. This leads into the idea that ultimately, the rejection of Jesus by some is part of God's plan, making Him the essential cornerstone of faith for those who do believe.
Peter is building on his earlier point about Jesus being a living stone that believers are also being built into. He contrasts the value and acceptance Jesus receives from God with the rejection He faced from many humans, showing that those who don't believe are missing out on the true foundation. This leads into the idea that ultimately, the rejection of Jesus by some is part of God's plan, making Him the essential cornerstone of faith for those who do believe.
"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,” and
“A stone of stumbling,
and a rock of offense.”
They stu…" — Peter is flipping the script on who gets the honor! While the world might reject and dismiss certain people, God sees them as foundational. The honor isn't just for believing; it's for being part of…
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Last reviewed October 2026