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Acts 4:11

New Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Acts 4:11 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “He is the stone which was set at nought of you the builders, which was made the head of the corner.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

He is the stone which was set at nought of you the builders, which was made the head of the corner.
Acts 4:11 — American Standard Version

Context — Acts 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders,
9if we this day are examined concerning a good deed done to an impotent man, by what means this man is made whole;
10be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, [even] in him doth this man stand here before you whole.
11He is the stone which was set at nought of you the builders, which was made the head of the corner.
12And in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved.
13Now when they beheld the boldness of Peter and John, and had perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
14And seeing the man that was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
← Acts 4:10Acts 4:12 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“This is the stone, etc.] That is, this Jesus of Nazareth, by whose name the lame man was made whole, is that stone spoken of in (<19B822>Psalm 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…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“This is the stone which was set at naught of you builders, &c.--This application of Psa 118:22, already made by our Lord Himself before some of the same "builders" (Mat 21:42), is here repeated with peculiar propriety after the deed of rejection had been consummated, and the rejected One had, by His exaltation to the right hand of the Majesty on high, become "the head of the corner."”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“This is the stone - This passage is found in Psalms 118:22. It is quoted, also, by our Saviour as applicable to himself. See the notes on Matthew 21:42. The ancient Jews applied this to David. In the Targum on Psalms 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 Isaiah 28:16; Romans 9:33; Ephesians 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.…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Psa 118:22. Acts 4:12”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the stone: Psa 118:22, Psa 118:23; Isa 28:16; Mat 21:42-45; Mar 12:10-12; Luk 20:16-18; Pe1 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; Co2 3:12, Co2 4:1 the head: Zac 3:9, Zac 4:6, Zac 4:7; Eph 2:20-22 Acts 4:12”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification