Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 4:11
This is the stone which was set at naught of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
11. This (i.e. Jesus) is the stone which was set at nought of you [ the ] builders ] There is the definite article in the original. The council are fitly called the builders, for on them depended the whole religious and civil government of the people. St Peter, with his mind now enlightened to apply the Scriptures, uses the words of the Psalmist (Psa 118:22) as spoken prophetically of Christ. Christ had already (Mat 21:42) applied these words to Himself and to the way in which He was being rejected of the Jews, in the close of one of His parables which the Pharisees felt had been spoken against them.
which is become the head of the corner ] Christ, now exalted into heaven, is no longer the despised, but has become the most important, stone in the new building of the Christian society, cp. Eph 2:20-22. St Peter uses this quotation in his Epistle (1Pe 2:7), and joins with it a passage (Isa 28:16) where the like figure is employed prophetically of the Messiah, “the foundation stone laid in Zion.”
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
This is the stone – This passage is found in Psa 118:22. It is quoted, also, by our Saviour as applicable to himself. See the notes on Mat 21:42. The ancient Jews applied this to David. In the Targum on Psa 118:22, this passage is rendered, The child who was among the sons of Jesse, and was worthy to be constituted king, the builders rejected. The New Testament writers, however, apply it without any doubt to the Messiah. Compare Isa 28:16; Rom 9:33; Eph 2:20. And from this passage we may learn that God will overrule the devices and plans of wicked men to accomplish his own purposes. What people despise and set at naught, he esteems of inestimable value in his kingdom. What the great and the mighty contemn, he regards as the very foundation and cornerstone of the edifice which he designs to rear. Nothing has been more remarkable than this in the history of man; and in nothing is more contempt thrown on the proud projects of people, than that what they have rejected God has made the very basis of his schemes.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 11. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders] By your rejection and crucifixion of Jesus Christ, you have fulfilled one of your own prophecies, Ps 118:22; and, as one part of this prophecy is now so literally fulfilled, ye may rest assured, so shall the other; and this rejected stone shall speedily become the head stone of the corner. See Clarke on Mt 21:42.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Alluding to Psa 118:22, in which there is a prophecy of what was now fulfilled: see Act 2:23.
You builders; so by their office they were, and ought to have been so indeed, and are here so called, that they might be minded of their duty, viz. to increase, strengthen, and beautify the building, and not to demolish, weaken, or deface it.
The head of the corner; or the corner stone: Christ is frequently so called, Mat 21:42; Mar 12:10; and that,
1. Because he sustains and upholds the whole building.
2. He is a rock or stone of offense, Rom 9:33; as many run upon and are hurt by a corner stone.
3. He is most precious, 1Pe 2:6, as the corner stones are usually the largest, firmest, and best.
4. Christ is a light to lighten the Gentiles, as well as the glory of the people of Israel; and both Gentile and Jew are united in him, and saved by him, as the corner stone is equally necessary for both sides, which are united in it, and borne up by it.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
11. This is the stone which was setat naught of you builders, &c.This application of Ps118:22, already made by our Lord Himself before some of the same”builders” (Mt 21:42),is here repeated with peculiar propriety after the deed of rejectionhad been consummated, and the rejected One had, by His exaltation tothe right hand of the Majesty on high, become “the head of thecorner.”
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
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
Ps 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 comments on Mt 21:42].
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Of you the builders (‘ ). The experts, the architects, had rejected Jesus for their building (Ps 118:22) as Jesus himself had pointed out (Matt 21:42; Luke 21:17). This very Rejected Stone God had made the head of the corner (either the highest corner stone right under the roof or the corner stone under the building, Isa 28:16) as Jesus showed, as Peter here declares and repeats later (1Pe 2:6f.).
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
1) “This is the stone,” (houtos estin ho lithos) “This one is (exists as) the stone,” this one stone being the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth, a despised name among them, but exalted of God, whom Peter had preached on Pentecost of a recent day, Psa 118:22; Mat 21:42; Joh 1:11-12. The builders were Israel of the house that Moses built, Heb 3:2-5.
2) “Which was set at naught of you builders,” (ho eksouthenetheir hulp’ humen ton oikodomon) “The one which was despised of those building,” those continually building. Jesus confronted them with their defiance of this very Old Testament prophecy as it applied directly to them, Isa 28:16-18; Mat 21:42-46. To Israel He was an unacceptable building stone; too “rough,” they saw Him through blinded eyes, of Nazareth of Galilee, not of Judea, Joh 1:46.
3) “Which is become the head of the corner,” (ho genomenos eis kephale gnoias) “The one now become (existing as) the head of the corner,” the chief corner stone, chief support, Eph 2:20, the foundation on which salvation, all truth, and the church is built, Act 4:12; 1Co 3:10-11; Joh 14:6; Mat 16:18; 1Ti 3:15.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
11. This is the stone. He confirmeth by testimony of Scripture that it is no new thing that the ringleaders (208) of the Church, which have glorious titles given them, and have the chief room in the temple of God, have, notwithstanding, wickedly rejected Christ. Therefore he citeth a place out of the 118 Psalm, (Psa 118:22,) where David complaineth that he is rejected of the captains [leaders] of the people, and yet, notwithstanding, he boasteth that he was chosen of God to have the chief room. Moreover, he compareth the Church, or the state of the kingdom, by an usual metaphor to a building, he calleth those which have the government the masters of the work, (209) and he maketh himself the principal stone, whereon the whole building is stayed and grounded. For that is meant by the head of the corner. Therefore, this is David’s comfort, that howsoever the captains have rejected him, so that they would not grant him even the basest place, yet did not their wicked and ungodly endeavors hinder him from being extolled by God unto the highest degree of honor. But that was shadowed in David which God would have perfectly expressed in the Messias. Therefore Peter dealeth very aptly when as he citeth this testimony, as being spoken before of Christ, as they knew full well that it did agree properly to him. Now we know to what end Peter did cite the Psalm; to wit, lest the elders and priests being unadvisedly puffed up with their honor, should take to themselves authority and liberty to allow or disallow whatsoever they would. For it is evident that the stone refused by the chief builders is placed by God’s own hand in the chief place, that it may support the whole house.
Furthermore, this happeneth not once only, but it must be fulfilled daily; at least it must seem no new thing if the chief builders do even now reject Christ. Whereby the vain boasting of the Pope is plainly refuted, who maketh his boast of the bare title, that he may usurp whatsoever is Christ’s. Admit we grant to the Pope and his horned beasts that which they desire, to wit, that they are appointed to be ordinary pastors of the Church, they can go no farther at length than to be called chief builders with Annas and Caiaphas. And it is evident what account ought to be made of this title, which they think is sufficient to mix heaven and earth together. Now let us gather out of this place some things which are worth the noting. Forasmuch as they are called master-builders who have government of the Church, the name itself putteth them in mind of their duty. Therefore, let them give themselves wholly to the building of the temple of God. And because all men do not their duty faithfully as they ought, let them see what is the best manner of building aright, to wit, let them retain Christ for the foundation; that done, let them not mix straw and stubble in this building, but let them make the whole building of pure doctrine; as Paul teacheth in 1Co 3:12. Whereas God is said to have extolled Christ, who was rejected of the builders, this ought to comfort us, when as we see even the pastors of the Church, or, at least, those which are in great honor, wickedly rebel against Christ, that they may banish him. For we may safely set light by those visors which they object against us; so that we need not fear to give Christ that humor which God doth give to him. But if he wink for a time, yet doth he laugh at the boldness of his enemies from on high, whilst they rage and fret upon earth. Furthermore, though their conspiracies be strong and well guarded with all aids, yet must we always assure ourselves of this, that Christ’s honor shall remain safe and sound. And let the fruit of this confidence ensue also, that we be valiant and without fear in maintaining the kingdom of Christ, whereof God will be an invincible defender, as he himself affirmeth.
We have already spoken of Peter’s constancy, in that one simple man, having such envious judges, and yet having but one partner in the present danger, showeth no token at all of fear, but doth freely confess in that raging and furious company, that thing which he knew would be received with most contrary minds. And whereas he sharply upbraideth unto them that wickedness which they had committed, we must let [seek] from hence a rule of speech when we have to deal with the open enemies of the truth. For we must beware of two faults on this behalf, that we seem not to flatter by keeping silence or winking; for that were treacherous silence, whereby the truth should be betrayed. Again, that we be not puffed up with wantonness, or immoderate heat as men’s minds do oftentimes break out more than they ought in contention. Therefore, let us use gravity in this point, yet such as is moderate; let us chide freely, yet without all heat of railing. We see that Peter did observe this order. For at the first he giveth an honorable title; when he is once come to the matter he inveigheth sharply against them; neither could such ungodliness as theirs was be concealed. Those which shall follow this example shall not only have Peter to be their guide, but also the Spirit of God.
(208) “ Praesules,” prelates.
(209) “ Architectos,” the architects.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(11) This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders.Better, of you, the builders. The members of the Council to whom Peter spoke had heard those words (Psa. 118:22) quoted and interpreted before. (See Notes on Mat. 21:42-44.) Then they had thought, in their blindness, that they could defy the warning. They, by their calling, the builders of the Church of Israel, did reject the stone which God had chosen to be the chief corner-stonethe stone on which the two walls of Jew and Gentile met and were bonded together (Eph. 2:20). Here again the Epistles of St. Peter reproduce one of the dominant thoughts of his speeches (1Pe. 2:6-8), and give it a wider application. Thirty years after he thus spoke, Christ was still to him as the head of the corner.
Set at nought.St. Peter does not quote the Psalm, but alludes to it with a free variation of language. The word for set at nought is characteristic of St. Luke (Luk. 18:9; Luk. 23:11) and St. Paul (Rom. 14:3; Rom. 14:10, et al.).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
11. The Stone Peter quotes Psalms 118 and thereby identifies Jesus with David, who there speaks in the first person. And Peter may have remembered that Christ quoted the same passage. Mat 21:42. See note there.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
“He is the stone which was set at nought of you the builders, which was made the head of the corner.”
Then to support his case Peter indirectly cites Scripture. The citation is from Psa 118:22. It is either Peter’s paraphrase or a quotation from an unknown source, probably the former. He stresses ‘set at nought’ rather than ‘rejected’. He has not forgotten the scenes that he witnessed and the ones he had heard about, when Jesus was truly ‘set at nought’. But that stone, rejected by the builders, was to be made the head of the corner, the capstone. It was the final, vital stone that mattered. This Psalm was one from which citations were made by the crowds when pilgrims entered Jerusalem (see Psa 118:26). They thus indirectly connected it with the Future One Who would come to Jerusalem in triumph. The inference is plain. The rulers, the ‘builders’ of Israel, have rejected Him and set Him at nought, because He did not seem to fit, but God has stepped in and will make Him the cornerstone of the new Israel which holds the whole building together.
Some among those who were sat in the Sanhedrin may have grown uncomfortable at these words. They would remember how when they had challenged Jesus a month or so previously He had told the parable of the wicked tenants who had rented the vineyard and then refused to the owner its true fruits, killing first his servants and then his only son (Luk 20:9-16). Then Jesus had looked on them and had said, ‘The stone which the builders rejected, the same was made the head of the corner’ (Luk 20:17). Now here it was again, the charge that they had rejected God’s ‘stone’, and that somehow their rejection would lead to His exaltation.
(Incidentally we have here an interesting evidence that Luke is not just putting his own words into Peter’s mouth. Had he been doing so surely the quotations would have tied up).
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Act 4:11-12. This is the stone, &c. St. Peter’s mentioning Christ as the head of the corner, naturally led to the thought of a spiritual and eternal salvation, which it was Christ’s principal design to bring in; and with relation to which alone this, and its kindred phrase, the chief corner-stone, are always used by our Lord and his apostles: see Luk 20:17. Eph 2:21-22. 1Pe 2:6-7. And this spiritual benefit is called salvation about forty times in the New Testament; whereas I do not find, that it once uses the noun , salvation, for miraculous cures; no, nor for any merely temporal deliverance at all, unless in Act 7:25 where Stephen says, that Moses supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them; or, as it is in the Greek, would give salvation to them: and even that deliverance might becalled by this name, because it was typical of the more glorious one by Jesus Christ. And St. Peter here speaks of a salvation which every one needs, including himself and all Israel: but surely it could not be said of himself and the whole council, and of all the people of Israel, Act 4:10 that they needed miraculous cures in the name of Christ, by which, in that respect, they must be saved. I therefore can by no means think that this strong and lively passage is to be sunk and restrained, as some contend it should, to the case of working miracles: on the other hand, there seems to me to be a great beauty in the occasion that the apostle took, and in the gradation which he made, from the temporal deliverance which had been wrought in healing the poor cripple by the power of Christ, to that of a much nobler and more important kind, which is brought in by Christ to impotent and sinful souls; he therein following the admirable custom of his great Lord and Master, who often took occasion from earthly to speak of spiritual things; as particularly when, upon his having mentioned the miracle of the loaves, he discoursed at large concerning himself as the Bread of life. Joh 6:26-58. The 12th verse may be thus paraphrased: “Nor is the spiritual and eternal salvation, to which his being the Head of the corner principally refers, to be found in any one whatsoever besides himself: for there is no other person of sufficient dignity, merit, and power, whose name can be pleaded or depended upon for salvation; or whom God has graciously appointed or granted to the men of this lower world, by whom, , it is fit, or meet and worthy of God, that any of us should be saved; or by whom we ought to expect, or ever can have, deliverance from sin and misery, from the curse of the law, and the wrath to come.” Raphelius, in a remarkable note on this text, endeavours, among other things, to prove that , or the name of a person, was a manner of speaking used in reference to one, regarded as God and the Author of salvation. See Raphel. ex Herod. p. 329.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Act 4:11 . ] referred to Jesus, the more remote subject, which, however, was most vividly present to the conception of the speaker . Winer, p. 148 [E. T. 195].
. . .] a reminiscence of the well-known saying in Psa 118:22 , in immediate, bold application to the Sanhedrists ( ), the builders of the theocracy, that have rejected Jesus, who yet by His resurrection and glorification has become the cornerstone, the bearer and upholder of the theocracy, i.e. that which constitutes its entire nature, subsistence, and working. Moreover, see on Mat 21:42 , and comp. 1Pe 2:4 ff.; also on 1Co 3:11 ; Eph 2:20 .
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
Ver. 11. You builders ] Such you should be, and profess to be, sed aedificatis in Gehennam, ye build backward.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
11 .] See Mat 21:42 , note.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Act 4:11 . : “He, as in R.V. All E.V [152] previously translated it “this,” referring it to , but in the next verse a person is directly spoken of, not under the metaphor of a stone, and the pronoun finds its subject better in the , masculine of Act 4:10 . See Winer-Schmiedel, p. 216. : in the LXX and in the Gospels the word used is . St. Peter, quoting apparently from memory, used a word expressing still greater contempt. It is used, e.g. , very significantly by St. Luke in his Gospel, Act 23:11 , and again in Act 18:9 . The word is found in none of the other Gospels, and is characteristic of St. Luke and of St. Paul ( cf. Rom 14:3 ; Rom 14:10 , 1Co 1:28 , 1Co 6:4 , etc.). It occurs several times in the LXX; cf. Wis 3:11 ; Wis 4:18 , Sir 19:1 , 2Ma 1:27 , and Psalms of Solomon , Act 2:5 . In classical writers it is not found at all. . , “which was made,” R.V. Blass compares the Hebrew phrase and finds parallels in Act 5:36 , Luk 13:19 , but , while common in the LXX, is a correct expression in classical Greek, although the places in the N.T. in which the formula is found in O.T. quotations are undoubtedly Hebraisms (see below on Act 5:36 ), Winer-Schmiedel, p. 257, and with this may be connected the frequency of its occurrence in the Apocalypse (see Simcox on the phrase, Language of the N. T. , p. 143). : not “the top-most pinnacle-stone,” but a corner-stone uniting two walls, on which they rested and were made firm, cf. the meaning of (Isa 28:16 ), 1Pe 2:6-8 , Eph 2:20 , which is used here by Symmachus instead of . . The Hebrew elsewhere always refers not to the upper part of the building, but to the lower (Isa 28:16 , Jer 51:26 , Job 38:6 , , Delitzsch). Probably therefore the expression here refers to a foundation-stone at the base of the corner. On the occurrence of the phrase from Psa 118:22 in St. Peter’s First Epistle, and in his speech here, see p. 119, and also Scharfe, Die Petrinische Strmung , 2 c., p. 126.
[152] English Version.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
the Stone, &c. A reference to Psa 118:22.
set at nought = treated with contempt. Greek. exoutheneo. Compare Luk 18:9; Luk 23:11.
of = by Gr hupo. App-104.
the head, &c. Literally unto (Greek. eis.) a head of a corner, i.e. a corner-stone. Compare Isa 28:16.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
11.] See Mat 21:42, note.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Act 4:11. , this) He brings a more severe charge against the rulers, than in ch. Act 3:17 against the people.- , the stone) The article refers the hearers back to prophecy. See Mat 21:42, note.- , by you) This is added with boldness of speech.- , the head of the corner) This is explained in the following verse. The very rejection on the part of the builders proves the stone [to be the one chosen of God].
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
the stone: Psa 118:22, Psa 118:23, Isa 28:16, Mat 21:42-45, Mar 12:10-12, Luk 20:16-18, 1Pe 2:6-8
you: Act 7:52, Act 20:26, Act 20:27, Pro 28:1, Isa 58:1, Isa 58:2, Eze 2:6, Eze 2:7, Eze 3:7-11, Eze 3:18, Eze 3:19, Eze 33:7-9, 2Co 3:12, 2Co 4:1
the head: Zec 3:9, Zec 4:6, Zec 4:7, Eph 2:20-22
Reciprocal: Gen 49:24 – the stone Dan 2:34 – a stone Zec 9:14 – seen Zec 11:13 – a goodly Luk 20:17 – The stone Joh 7:15 – How Act 2:23 – ye have Act 2:36 – that same Act 5:28 – intend Act 5:30 – ye slew Act 5:31 – hath Act 7:27 – Who Rom 14:10 – set 1Co 1:27 – General 1Co 3:9 – ye are God’s building 1Co 3:11 – General 1Pe 2:4 – disallowed 1Pe 2:7 – the stone
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1
Act 4:11. While the vital facts concerning the experiences of Christ were under consideration in this “investigation,” Peter cited these leading Jews t(, a prophecy in Psa 118:22, which they had fulfilled by slaying Jesus. And when God overruled their wicked deed and brought his Son out from the grave, and seated him on the throne in Heaven, he caused that Son to be the head of the earner.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Act 4:11. This is the stone, etc. The accusation of awful mistake with which he charges the judges of Israel, of dishonouring what God had so highly honoured, St. Peter repeats by boldly applying to them the well-known words of Psa 118:22. His meaning, which they quickly understood, was that the rulers of the Jews were the builders to whom the charge of the house of God was given. They should have been the first to acknowledge the long-looked-for Messiah, and to have worked for the glory of His kingdom, but they had rejected Him and cast Him aside; while God, by raising Him from the dead, had shown that He was the corner-stone on which the whole fabric of the spiritual temple of God on earth must rest.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
11, 12. Realizing the advantage which he had now gained, Peter pushes his adversaries into still closer quarters, by adding: (11) “This is the stone which was despised by you builders, which has become the head of the corner. (12) Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is no other name under heaven, given among men, by which we must be saved.” In this passage, he places his proud judges in the ridiculous attitude of searching about vainly for a stone to fit the corner of the foundation, while persistently rejecting the real corner-stone, without which the building can be reared. And, leaving the figurative language of David, he more fully declares, that there is no salvation for man except in the name of the very Jesus whom they had crucified. This proposition is universal, and shows that the redemption effected by Jesus will include every human being who shall finally be saved.
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
JESUS ONLY
11, 12. Can we not learn this truth? There is salvation in none but Jesus. If you differ from this you are an idolater. Our Jesus needs no help to save a soul. Some worship a water-god; others, a day-god, and still others worship gods of wood and stone in the form of a fine edifice, while many worship creeds and sects, Mammon and style. Jesus warns us to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy, i. e., modern orthodoxy;
the leaven of the Sadducees, which is rationalism, i. e., higher criticism; and the leaven of Herod (a royal dynasty), which is spread-eagleism, i. e., the worship of political gods. Oh, how few worship Jesus only! The true God is only revealed in Jesus by the Holy Ghost. Reader, be sure you adopt the creed Jesus only.
Fuente: William Godbey’s Commentary on the New Testament
Peter showed that this teaching did not lead the people away from God but rather fulfilled something that God had predicted. In quoting Psa 118:22 Peter applied to Jesus Christ what David had said about the nation Israel (cf. Mat 21:42; Mar 12:10; Luk 20:17). Israel’s leaders had rejected Jesus as an unacceptable Messiah, but He would prove to be the most important part of what God was building.
Some scholars believe Peter meant that Jesus was the cornerstone, the foundation of what God was building (cf. Isa 28:16; 1Pe 2:7). Others believe he meant the capstone, the final piece of what God was building (cf. Dan 2:34-35). [Note: E.g., Longenecker, pp. 304-5.] If the former interpretation is correct, Peter was probably anticipating the church as a new creation of God (cf. 1Pe 2:4-8). In the latter view, he was viewing the Messiah as the long-expected completion of the house of David. Since Peter was addressing Israel’s rulers, I think he probably meant that Jesus was the capstone, their Messiah. These rulers, the builders of Israel, had rejected their Messiah.