The rejected stone becomes the cornerstone
Jerusalem's welcome and Jesus' teaching reuse a thanksgiving psalm's welcome and rejected-stone image.
Historical context
The psalm celebrates deliverance, entry through the gates, and the LORD's reversal of rejection in a worship setting.
Tradition note
Read the unity of Scripture in Christ while attending to the Old Testament's literal setting and the New Testament's use of it. Fulfillment can include a renewed historical pattern, not only an isolated prediction; this collection is a study guide rather than an exhaustive doctrinal catalogue.
Avoid overclaiming
The royal or communal original referent is debated. The welcome and stone are different uses within the same psalm; their Christian application should not be flattened into one predicted incident.
Key points
- New Testament application
- Matthew 21:9 (New Testament application) — The crowds' welcome draws on Psalm 118:26 as Jesus enters Jerusalem.
- Acts 4:10–11 (New Testament application) — Peter names the risen Jesus as the stone rejected by the builders that has become the cornerstone.
- Matthew 21:42–44 (New Testament application) — During the Jerusalem controversy, Jesus quotes Psalm 118:22–23 following the vineyard parable. This teaching application is distinct from the crowds' welcome and Peter's later sermon.
Doctrinal connections
- The crowds' welcome draws on Psalm 118:26 as Jesus enters Jerusalem. Peter names the risen Jesus as the stone rejected by the builders that has become the cornerstone. During the Jerusalem controversy, Jesus quotes Psalm 118:22–23 following the vineyard parable. This teaching application is distinct from the crowds' welcome and Peter's later sermon.
Scripture
- Psalm 118:22–26 — The psalm celebrates deliverance, entry through the gates, and the LORD's reversal of rejection in a worship setting.
- Matthew 21:9 — The crowds' welcome draws on Psalm 118:26 as Jesus enters Jerusalem.
- Acts 4:10–11 — Peter names the risen Jesus as the stone rejected by the builders that has become the cornerstone.
- Matthew 21:42–44 — During the Jerusalem controversy, Jesus quotes Psalm 118:22–23 following the vineyard parable. This teaching application is distinct from the crowds' welcome and Peter's later sermon.
Sources and further reading
- Acts 4:10–11 · World English Bible
- Matthew 21:42–44 · World English Bible
- Matthew 21:9 · World English Bible
- Psalm 118:22–26 · World English Bible
- Reviewed biblical text and context · ACT04.htm
- Reviewed biblical text and context · MAT21.htm
- Reviewed biblical text and context · MAT21.htm
- Reviewed biblical text and context · PSA118.htm