Jesus Christ, Our Cornerstone And Our Headstone

Jesus Christ, Our Cornerstone And Our Headstone

1 Peter 2:6-7 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

Many modern versions translate the phrase, “head of the corner” in 1 Peter 2:7 as “cornerstone.” Of course, the commentaries all follow in their footsteps and treat both of these stones as one. However, there are two unique ideas being presented here, not just one. Knowing what the Bible teaches about both of the terms is actually a blessing to us in our spiritual walks.

The Corner Stone

The phrase “chief corner” is Strong’s #g0204: “akrogōniaios, belonging to the extreme corner, chief corner.”

The Complete Word Study Dictionary defines it as follows: “from ákron (G0206), extreme, and gōnía (G1137), corner. The foundation cornerstone, applied figuratively to Christ who not only sustains the whole structure of the Church, but also unites Jews and Gentiles into one mystical building.”

Webster’s 1828 Dictionary gives these definitions for foundation:

“1. The basis of an edifice; that part of a building which lies on the ground; usually a wall of stone which supports the edifice.
3. The basis or ground work, or any thing; that on which any thing stands, and by which it is supported... Christ is the foundation of the church.”

There are seven direct verses in the Bible that refer to building our lives upon the Lord Jesus Christ as our foundation (several surrounding verses added for context):

Isaiah 28:16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

Luke 6:47-49 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

1 Corinthians 3:10-13 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

Ephesians 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

1 Peter 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

The Head Stone (ie. Capstone)

1 Peter 2:7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

Strong’s Concordance defines “head” as “#g2776. κεφαλή kephalē; from the primary κάπτω kaptō (in the sense of seizing); the head (as the part most readily taken hold of), literally or figuratively.”

The Complete Word Study Dictionary also defines “head” as “The head, top, that which is uppermost in relation to something.”

The head stone is the final stone that is placed on a building. It is literally the capstone, the stone capping off the construction of a building, such as the temple. As the final stone placed on the building, it literally holds the walls and the roof together, preventing the walls from separating or slowly shifting apart as the building settles. It basically brings stability to the finished structure.

Psalms 118:22-23 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the LORD's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.

According to historical and Biblical tradition, Psalm 118:22 refers to the construction of Solomon’s temple. The head stone was the first stone brought to the temple grounds and set to the side during the building of the temple. Over the course of the thirteen years it took Solomon to build his temple, this stone was neglected, despised, left alone, and gradually became overgrown with weeds and debris. But when the temple construction was almost finished, the builders realized the stone which they neglected for all those years was actually an integral part of the finished work. A search was made and the head stone was found, cleaned off, and used to put the final touch on the temple. The construction of God’s temple was at last completed.

The Lord Jesus Christ confirmed that this Psalm actually refers to Biblical history, and declared that just like the head stone was despised and overlooked by so many, even so He was the head stone of the corner - neglected and despised by so many in this world, yet integral to their spiritual lives if they ever hoped to be reconciled to God.

Jesus is the head stone, the capstone, the Saviour who finishes and caps off our spiritual lives. There is no salvation apart from Jesus Christ and His finished work upon the cross of Calvary. What the Lord began in those who trust in Him alone for salvation, He will complete, He will perform and perfect, He will complete eternally.

There are seven references to the “head stone” in the Bible - 6 verses directly referring to the Lord Jesus Christ, and another verse as a type of Him:

1) Psalms 118:22-23 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the LORD's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.

2) Zechariah 4:7 Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.

3) Matthew 21:42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

4) Mark 12:10-11 And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner: This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

5) Luke 20:17 And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?

6) Acts 4:11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

7) 1 Peter 2:7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

Jesus Christ is both the Cornerstone and the Headstone (capstone) of our spiritual lives (Psalm 118:22). As the Cornerstone, He is the sure foundation, the solid foundation, we build everything upon, providing stability and support - the solid Rock that can withstand every storm we face. As the Headstone, He holds all the pieces together and completes what He started in us. He literally holds our very lives together in His hands - from beginning to end. We will never fall apart when He is our Cornerstone and our Headstone.

Just like the Lord Jesus Christ is our Corner Stone and our Head Stone, there are also various other names He has revealed Himself to us in His Word, showing He is all that His people will ever need in this life and in eternity.

Consider the following Seven All-Encompassing Names Of Jesus:

1) The Author and Finisher of our Faith (Hebrews 12:2)

2) The Cornerstone (foundation) and the Chief of the Corner (ie. capstone) (1 Peter 2:6-7)

3) Alpha and Omega (Revelation 1:8)

4) The Beginning and the Ending (Revelation 1:8)

5) The First and the Last (Revelation 1:11)

6) The Lion and the Lamb (Revelation 5:5-6)

7) The Root and the Offspring of David (Revelation 22:16)

March 10th, 2026
Jerry Bouey