A foundation stone at the corner of a building that is essential for its structure.
About Cornerstone
A cornerstone is the most important stone in a building's foundation. In the New Testament, "cornerstone" is a special title for Jesus to show how important he is.
Jesus used this term when he told a story about workers in a vineyard (Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:10; Luke 20:17). He shared this story during his last visit to Jerusalem after he had driven merchants out of the temple. When the Jewish leaders questioned him about his actions in the temple, Jesus responded with this story.
Key References
Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?
This Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’
built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone.
All Scripture References (11)
Matthew (2)
And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward.
Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?
Mark (1)
Have you never read this Scripture: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
Luke (1)
But Jesus looked directly at them and said, “Then what is the meaning of that which is written: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’?
Acts (2)
This Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’
For the king knows about these matters, and I can speak freely to him. I am confident that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner.
Ephesians (1)
built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone.
1 Peter (2)
For it stands in Scripture: “See, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen and precious cornerstone; and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.”
To you who believe, then, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,”
Revelation (2)
After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back its four winds so that no wind would blow on land or sea or on any tree.
and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—to assemble them for battle. Their number is like the sand of the seashore.