The Rejected Stone

3.6.4 — The Rejected Stone

“The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.”
— Psalm 118:22

The Passage

Psalm 118 is a song of thanksgiving celebrating God’s faithfulness and His ability to accomplish His purposes in unexpected ways.

One of its best-known metaphors is that of a stone rejected by builders that ultimately becomes the cornerstone—the stone that gives strength, stability, and alignment to the entire structure.

Within its original setting, the rejected stone may represent Israel, Israel’s king, or another figure who was initially overlooked before being honored by God. Whatever the immediate reference, the passage reflects a recurring biblical pattern: God often accomplishes His purposes through those whom others reject or dismiss.

In later Jewish and Christian interpretation, this imagery became closely associated with expectations surrounding the Messiah.

Comparison with Jesus

Jesus quoted Psalm 118 following the Parable of the Wicked Tenants, applying the rejected stone to Himself. The New Testament writers continued that interpretation, presenting Him as the cornerstone rejected by people but established by God.

Psalm 118	New Testament Presentation
The rejected stone becomes the cornerstone.	Jesus is rejected by many but presented as the foundation of God’s kingdom.
God exalts what others reject.	The resurrection is presented as God’s vindication of Jesus.
God’s purposes are accomplished in unexpected ways.	Jesus’ crucifixion becomes the means through which God’s saving plan is fulfilled.

The stone imagery also appears in several other passages throughout the Hebrew Scriptures, many of which the New Testament likewise associates with Jesus.

Hebrew Scriptures	New Testament Connection
Isaiah 8:14–15 — A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.	Applied to Jesus in Romans 9:32–33 and 1 Peter 2:8.
Isaiah 28:16 — God’s chosen and precious cornerstone.	Applied to Jesus in 1 Peter 2:6 and Ephesians 2:20.
Daniel 2:34–35 — A stone not cut by human hands that becomes a great kingdom.	Frequently understood by Christians as symbolizing God’s everlasting kingdom established through Christ.
Psalm 118:22 — The rejected stone becomes the cornerstone.	Quoted by Jesus (Matthew 21:42), Peter (Acts 4:11), and other New Testament writers.

Evaluation

Unlike the prophecies examined previously, Psalm 118 emphasizes a recurring biblical pattern rather than a specific event or identifying characteristic. It portrays the one rejected by others as the very one God establishes for His purposes.

That theme reappears throughout the Hebrew Scriptures and is repeatedly applied by Jesus and the New Testament writers to His rejection, resurrection, and exaltation.

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→ 3.6.5 — Betrayed for Thirty Pieces of Silver

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→ 3.6.3 — Born in Bethlehem

Explore This Section

→ 3.1 — Why Prophecy Matters

→ 3.2 — What Makes a Prophecy Meaningful?

→ 3.3 — Were the Prophecies Really Written Before Jesus?

→ 3.4 — Messianic Expectations Before Jesus

→ 3.5 — Could Jesus Have Deliberately Fulfilled the Prophecies?

→ 3.6 — Exploring the Messianic Prophecies

→ 3.6.1 — The Suffering Servant