At Hope Chapel this year, so far, we have been going through the Book of Acts. The book deals generally with the founding of Jesus’ Church on earth. The book is variously titled sometimes as “The Acts of the Apostles” as well as just “Acts”. But its subject matter is the real meat of the Bible, and deals not only with the procedural and doctrinal points in the formation of the new church, but also with prophecy and how that relates to the believer in Jesus Christ.
Specifically, my wife Cheryl and I were re-reading our notes yesterday from Acts 3-4, the events following on the miraculous appearance of the Holy Spirit, the subsequent filling of the Apostles (with the Holy Spirit) and the first sermon preached by Peter where the Jewish listeners from all over the known world miraculously heard the Apostles and Peter speaking in their native language. The end of Chapter 2 presents somewhat of an aside, detailing the nature of the early church, and is worth quoting directly here:
Acts 2:42-47
42 “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”
We believe firmly at Hope Chapel, that the Church today should be striving to be a church which fits that description. Much has changed, technology has advanced, but the principles of Jesus’ church on earth should never change.
On to Chapter 3 and 4 now. Cheryl and I were reading the section in Chapter 4 after Peter has healed the lame beggar (a man who was lame since birth by the way) and has now preached his second recorded sermon in Solomon’s Portico, a part of the Temple along the eastern wall. The council of the ruling Jewish Priests and elders, teachers and scribes got annoyed with Peter for preaching and teaching in the Temple (since he was an ordinary man) so they arrested both he and John and held a “Trial” of sorts the following day.
Again, our subject today deals with a small part during the trial, when Peter quotes Psalm 118:22 (in Acts 4:11) which reads:
“The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.”
That particular translation is from the English Standard Version (ESV). Various translations, over time, have translated the original Hebrew word (from the Greek in the Septuagint) as variously: “Cornerstone”, or “Capstone”, or even as “Keystone”. At the point we were reading, I realized that in the New International Version translation (NIV 1984, or the old, original NIV), which is my personal Bible that I read most often, the Psalm 118:22 passage is rendered as:
“The stone the builders rejected
has become the capstone.”
A direct Hebrew translations would render it as “Head of the corner” or “Chief stone” or as “Capstone” (as in the above). There are various translations that seemingly lose the meaning entirely by translating it as “Keystone” (The Jerusalem Bible) or as in The Living Bible (TLB) this way: “The capstone of the arch” (which describes a keystone).
So, before going further, let’s get a definition down for each of these types of building stones.
Capstone
1. Top stone: a stone used at the top of a wall or another structure
2. High point: something considered the highest achievement or most important action in a series of actions
(from – Encarta World English Dictionary)
The Cornerstone (or foundation stone) concept is derived from the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation, important since all other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position (or orientation) of the entire structure. Over time a Cornerstone became a ceremonial masonry stone, or replica, set in a prominent location on the outside of a building, with an inscription on the stone indicating the construction dates of the building and the names of architect, builder and other significant individuals. The rite of laying a Cornerstone is an important cultural component of eastern architecture and metaphorically in sacred architecture generally.
(from – Cornerstone, Wikipedia)
A Keystone is the wedge-shaped stone piece at the apex of a masonry vault or arch, which is the final piece placed during construction and locks all the stones into position, allowing the arch to bear weight. Although a masonry arch or vault cannot be self-supporting until the Keystone is placed, the Keystone experiences the least stress of any of the [other stones], due to its position at the apex….The term is used figuratively to refer to the central supporting element of a larger structure, such as a theory or an organization, without which the whole structure would collapse. Example: Trade is the Keystone of modern civilization.
(from – Keystone, Wikipedia)
Since these are all building terms, in fact stones used in various places in a building project, we need to carefully analyze from that standpoint both the meaning in the Old Testament sense, and the intended meaning found in the New Testament where this Psalm 118 passage is quoted. Acts 4:11 is not the only place in the New Testament where this passage is quoted in a Messianic sense. There are 5 direct uses to note:
Matthew 21:42 – “Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. …”
Mark 12:10 – “[Jesus said] Have you not read this Scripture: The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. …”
Luke 20:17 – “But he [Jesus] looked at them and said, “Then what about this that is written: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone?”
Acts 4:11 – “This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.”
1 Peter 2:7 – “Therefore, for you who believe, this is an honor. But for those who do not believe: The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone”
Of interest is the fact that in the gospel accounts (Matthew, Mark and Luke, above), Jesus quotes this passage directly, as referring to Himself. He uses it as a challenge to the Chief Priests and elders, intending to goad them out of their unbelief and hypocrisy. A clue as to the correct usage may be found in Luke:20:18 (the verse following Jesus’ usage of the Psalm 118:22 quote) –
“ Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”
But, let’s go back to the original Hebrew in Psalm 118:22 (just the relevant piece) to make sure we have the meaning as intended.
Hebrew: לְ ר ֹאש פִּ נָּה
Literal: l rash phne
Translated to English: to head-of corner
Often times the literal is most valuable when seeking meaning in these phrases, and here it does not fail to point us to the intended usage, at least in this author’s opinion, as well as many who have written commentaries on these passages and usages. Of key interest is the fact that in Luke 20:18, Jesus gives us the clear intended meaning, and that is corroborated by Peter’s usage in 1 Peter 2:8 which reads:
“…a stone over which they stumble and a rock over which they fall.”
Obviously, one cannot “Stumble” over a capstone, or a keystone, as those are placed high up on a structure. Capstones usually find a place on top of a wall, and keystones are used as the “Key” supporting piece, typically in an arch type structure, where they will enable both sides of the arch to support the load while bearing none of the load themselves. Clearly, a stone of stumbling is a “Cornerstone”, or the first stone laid in a building. This meaning becomes clear when you realize that Jesus is referring not only to Himself, but the doctrines of the new Christian faith that would center on his atoning death and sacrifice on the cross, his subsequent burial, resurrection and ascension into Heaven where He sits at the Father’s right hand, interceding (praying) for us continually.
I would like to make one further comment though. One article I read (by Trinitarian Don, linked below), proposed that the meaning in Luke 20:18 is a double. In other words, as Jesus uses the word play that the stone could “Trip them up” (“Everyone who falls on that stone”), but it could also fall on them (“and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him”). This is obviously not a cornerstone, since that is already on the ground (and cannot fall), so his meaning here may refer to a capstone (or even a keystone) type usage, and we would take it to mean that a person who persists in unbelief, to the point where they die without accepting Jesus as both Lord and Savior would consequently be crushed (sent to Hell in Judgement) as Jesus has all authority in Heaven and on earth to judge the living and the dead (Matthew 28:18, John 5:22).
Most recently, as I read these passages for the thousandth time (slight exaggeration only), I came to the conclusion that when Jesus says what he says about the Psalm 118 passage, specifically the comment noted in Luke 20:18, what he is doing is explaining the passage – in light of his advent. Jesus is THE stone over which we fall, spiritually, and are broken to pieces. Our way is no longer our own, our lives are no longer our own, our allegiance is no longer to any other authority, but to Jesus alone. If, for whatever reason, you reject Jesus and he subsequently falls on you, you will be crushed, at judgement and sent to Hell for all eternity. It’s your choice.
This view is corroborated in so many ways in other passages, i.e., John 14:6 “I am the way and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me.” And in Matthew 28:18 “All authority in Heaven and on earth has been granted to me.” Or, as in 1 Peter 4:5 “…but they will give account to [Jesus] who is ready to judge the living and the dead.” The proof is not difficult, the evidence for Jesus is clear throughout Scripture. Unbelief at the end of your life can only have one very tragic result: Eternal punishment in the fires of Hell (“where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” – Matthew 8:12, 13:42, 13:50, etc…).
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Sources
Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary – Capstone
Confessions of a Jesus Freak 
Was reading in Isaiah 8 this morning, and came across another reference to the Psalm 118 passage.
Isaiah 8:14-15 –
“And he will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many shall stumble on it. They shall fall and be broken; they shall be snared and taken.”
Clearly a Messianic reference, as well as another reason Jesus quotes the Psalm 118 passage in reference to Himself. Those poor Pharisees, Scribes and elders. If only they knew to whom they were speaking!
You can read the entire chapter, the relevant section would be vs. 11-15, to satisfy yourself that Isaiah is writing the Lord’s words down for us to hear and remember.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=isaiah+8&version=ESV
Oh my, found another reference to the “Cornerstone” in Isaiah.
Isaiah 28:16
“therefore thus says the Lord God,
“Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion,
a stone, a tested stone,
a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation:
‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.’”
I’m going to need to do a full-word search through the entire Bible on “Cornerstone” to see where else there are passages that reference the original Psalm 118:22
Here are each reference found in the ESV for “Cornerstone” along with a comment below each as to whether or not they apply to the Psalm 118:22 as a reference of some sort.
Job 38:6 – “On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone,”
Talks of the formation of the earth, God of course, laid its cornerstone. But this passage does not directly refer to the Psalm 118:22 passage by King David.
Psalm 118:22 – “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.”
Our key verse we are following, probably penned by King David. Much commentary exists on this psalm.
Isaiah 8:14-15 –
“And he will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many shall stumble on it. They shall fall and be broken; they shall be snared and taken.”
As mentioned in an earlier comment, this is clearly a Messianic reference, as well as another reason Jesus quotes the Psalm 118 passage in reference to Himself.
Isaiah 19:13 – “The princes of Zoan have become fools, and the princes of Memphis are deluded; those who are the cornerstones of her tribes have made Egypt stagger.”
Not a reference to the Psalm 118:22 passage.
Isaiah 28:14 – ” [ A Cornerstone in Zion ] Therefore hear the word of the Lord, you scoffers, who rule this people in Jerusalem!”
Part of the reference cited in previous comment. This passage merely contains the sub-heading for this section of scripture.
Isaiah 28:16 – “therefore thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: ‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.’”
Reference cited in previous comment.
Zechariah 10:4 – “From him shall come the cornerstone, from him the tent peg, from him the battle bow, from him every ruler—all of them together.”
This passage appears to be an indirect reference to a ruler, perhaps an all-powerful ruler, who will be the chief cornerstone, the one given authority to rule and to judge (Jesus).
Matthew 21:42 – “Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: “‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?”
Covered in the body of our article.
Mark 12:10 – “Have you not read this Scripture: “‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone;”
Covered in the body of our article.
Luke 20:17 – “But he looked directly at them and said, “What then is this that is written: “‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’?”
Covered in the body of our article.
Acts 4:11 – “This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.”
The original passage that inspired this article.
Romans 9:32-33
” Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works.
They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, as it is written
“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense;
and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.””
Paul wrote, quoting Isaiah 8:14-15 directly.
1 Corinthians 1:23 – “…but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles…”
The “Stumbling block” reference is clearly implied here to the Psalm 118 passage.
Ephesians 2:20 – “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,”
This reference is directly to Jesus as being THE cornerstone, and in the NIV this passage is rendered as “Chief cornerstone” which makes it a reference to both Acts 4:11 and to Psalm 118:22.
1 Peter 2:6-7 – “For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,””
Covered in the body of our article.
I found one more reference in Romans that should be listed here:
Romans 9:32-33
Merged into the comment above.
Another interesting study I took up today was to look up the word “Stumbling” in the entire Bible. There are many references in the Bible, in the ESV that are listed. Some are relevant, and some may not be. But most refer to either they stumbled over something the Lord put in front of them (a stone of stumbling) or the fact that they stumbled over their own sin / iniquity and were therefore guilty before a holy and just God.
Leviticus 19:14 “You shall not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind, but you shall fear your God: I am the Lord.”
Job 4:4 “Your words have upheld him who was stumbling, and you have made firm the feeble knees.”
Job 18:12 “His strength is famished, and calamity is ready for his stumbling.”
Psalm 35:15 “But at my stumbling they rejoiced and gathered; they gathered together against me; wretches whom I did not know tore at me without ceasing;”
Psalm 116:8 “For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling;”
Proverbs 24:11 “Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.”
Isaiah 8:14 “And he will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.”
Jeremiah 6:21 “Therefore thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, I will lay before this people stumbling blocks against which they shall stumble; fathers and sons together, neighbor and friend shall perish.’””
Ezekiel 3:20 “Again, if a righteous person turns from his righteousness and commits injustice, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die. Because you have not warned him, he shall die for his sin, and his righteous deeds that he has done shall not be remembered, but his blood I will require at your hand.”
Ezekiel 7:19 “They cast their silver into the streets, and their gold is like an unclean thing. Their silver and gold are not able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the Lord. They cannot satisfy their hunger or fill their stomachs with it. For it was the stumbling block of their iniquity.”
Ezekiel 14:3 ““Son of man, these men have taken their idols into their hearts, and set the stumbling block of their iniquity before their faces. Should I indeed let myself be consulted by them?”
Ezekiel 14:4 “Therefore speak to them and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: Any one of the house of Israel who takes his idols into his heart and sets the stumbling block of his iniquity before his face, and yet comes to the prophet, I the Lord will answer him as he comes with the multitude of his idols,”
Ezekiel 14:7 “For any one of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who sojourn in Israel, who separates himself from me, taking his idols into his heart and putting the stumbling block of his iniquity before his face, and yet comes to a prophet to consult me through him, I the Lord will answer him myself.”
Ezekiel 44:12 “Because they ministered to them before their idols and became a stumbling block of iniquity to the house of Israel, therefore I have sworn concerning them, declares the Lord God, and they shall bear their punishment.”
Romans 9:32 “Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone,”
Romans 9:33 “as it is written, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.””
Romans 11:9 “And David says, “Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them;”
Romans 14:13 “[ Do Not Cause Another to Stumble ] Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.”
1 Corinthians 1:23 “but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles,”
1 Corinthians 8:9 “But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.”
1 Peter 2:8 “and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.”
1 John 2:10 “Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling.”
Jude 1:24 “[ Doxology ] Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy,”
Revelation 2:14 “But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality.”
Some of these have been covered earlier, though many are new and interesting. Indeed some are even Messianic in their interpretation (e.g., Psalm 35:15). It is clear, not only that Jesus is the one over whom they will (or did) stumble, but also that God’s very Word (the written word) is also something over which men stumble, as well as the prophetic words that came from the prophets themselves (and recorded in God’s Word as well, e.g., most of the passages in Ezekiel).
In the Old Testament, God is likened to a “Rock”, firm, immovable, strong, a place where you could take refuge, and so on. There were prophecies, notably Psalm 118:22, where the Messiah is likened to a stone that the builders rejected, that becomes the “Cornerstone”. In other places, the Messianic reference is given as “A stone of stumbling”, with clear obvious meaning, given what happened.
Many of the Jews, the self-righteous at least, missed who Jesus is: The promised one who would take away the sins of the world, and bring salvation to all. These simplistic references are characteristic of the Bible, and the writings of the authors with the assistance of the Holy Spirit, i.e., they are easy to understand and pass on to one another. They don’t require a lot of explanation, even to modern readers. But the warning is also clear, trip over the “Cornerstone”, and you will be crushed by it, i.e, rejecting Jesus has eternal consequences.
One more set of references that really should apply here. Specifically, these references use the word “Foundation” to refer to Jesus Christ, and his work. Jesus himself uses the term in one of his parables, about building on a solid foundation, presumably referring to himself. Then, the Apostle Paul refers to the foundation he laid for the Corinthians (in 1 Corinthians, chp. 3), as he argues that anything built upon that foundation (Jesus Christ, and him crucified, buried and resurrected) is the correct foundation upon which to build using lasting materials (sound doctrine).
Matthew 7:24
Build Your House on the Rock
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”
Luke 6:48-49
“he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”
(a parallel to the Matthew 7:24 passage)
1 Corinthians 3:10-12, 14
“According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw … If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward.”
I found another verse (or verses, depending on your translation) that rightfully belongs in this study. These come from the Prophet Zechariah, in Chp. 4 in the NIV (New International Version, what I have in my Study Bible).
Zechariah 4:7
“What are you, mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of ‘God bless it! God bless it!’”
Zechariah 4:10
“Who dares despise the day of small things, since the seven eyes of the Lord that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone in the hand of Zerubbabel?”
The interesting thing is that in the ESV (English Standard Version, what I use for study most of the time these days) is different:
Zechariah 4:7
“Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!”
Zechariah 4:10
“For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.”
It would appear the the NIV has a mis-translation for verse 10 of this passage. When you go back and read the Hebrew, the literal translation in verse 10 comes out to be “Plumb stone”, or probably more accurately, “Plumb bob” or the stone (nowadays a metal pointer) hanging on the end of a plumb line (used to measure the straightness or squareness of a wall or structure). The web site used for studying this:
https://www.scripture4all.org/OnlineInterlinear/Hebrew_Index.htm
That site has the original Hebrew (in Hebrew), along with a phonetic version of the Hebrew, and then a literal translation (in English), and a more smooth flowing English translation of each verse as well. That study aid puts verse 10 as follows:
“For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel [with] those seven; they [are] the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.”
Thus, in all likelihood, only Zechariah 4:7 is of interest or relevance to us here, where we are studying instances of biblical usage where the writer (or the Holy Spirit) is referring to either Jesus, or God, or the coming redeemer / Messiah, as the “Cornerstone” or the “Capstone”. This passage (v.7) clearly qualifies as a Messianic reference (to Jesus) as the “Capstone” (or “Top stone” in the ESV) and this is not an isolated Messianic reference, since there are many Messianic references in the Book of Zechariah.
In fact, the New Testament quotes Zechariah seventy-one times. Thirty-one of these are in the Book of Revelation and twenty-seven are in the Gospels. The second half of the Book of Zechariah is the source of the more familiar passages cited in the New Testament.
If I could introduce myself my name is Steve Bedford and I am a Christian from Crossgate Church in Preston UK.
I have just started my own business called Cornerstone Training Solutions specialising in first aid and lifeguard training.
Please could I have your permission to use your logo for my company?
Please contact me.
God Bless
Steve
Hey Steve! No worries, copy away. It’s just a graphic file I found on the Internet. I didn’t “Create” it, rather just copied it. You probably know that it’s the Arabic letter ن (pronounced “noon”), what ISIS was spray painting on the homes of Christians in Iraq and Syria (to signify “N”azarene, or Christian), back in 2013-2015, giving them warning to leave in 24hrs or they’d be killed, many were killed anyhow.
Article on ACLJ
https://aclj.org/radical-islam/nazarene-a-mark-of-shame-becomes-mark-of-hope
I think Jesus is all three: Foundation stone, Keystone, and Capstone. Each one applies to the various stages of your Christian walk. Foundation stone obviously for the beginning acceptance of Jesus, keystone for the ensuing walk of Christ-like life, and finally the capstone for the overall protection with Christ’s “seal.”
See for a great illustration: https://thunderofgod.wordpress.com/2012/10/06/1906/
Blessings
Amen – I like that approach! It fits well with Scripture, how it hits us at different levels as we grow and mature through the various stages of our Christian walk. Christianity is definitely characterized by that growing in holiness process (sanctification), and the more we learn, the richer it becomes.
They meant capstone, but cornerstone translates to capstone in Greek. They meant the top of a pyramid, which is on the back of a dollar bill which represents the sun in the sky, well as amen-rā
Believe it or not, that’s one of the reasons I wrote this article. I went back to the original, Psalm 118, and read the Hebrew, and that is translated as “Head / stone of the corner” or “Cornerstone”. It’s useful though, to my eyes, to think of it as both a “Capstone” (final stone, or last word) and a “Cornerstone” (first foundation stone, or first word). Jesus, when he quoted this (Matthew 21, e.g.), may intentionally have been inferring the double meaning, given that the Aramaic / Greek may have been a bit ambiguous.
Thanks for all the material from which we benefited greaty
One more comment on the phrase that Jesus uses to explain the Psalm 118:22 passage below.
“And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.” (both in Matthew 21:44, and in Luke 20:18, I neglected to mention the Matthew reference in the original article).
I believe we can state that Jesus was referencing a passage in Daniel directly, about the giant statue in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (Daniel 2, and specifically vvs. 34-35, 45), and claiming that he himself is the stone mentioned: “But the stone that struck the [Statue] became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.”
Also as mentioned further, in Daniel’s explanation: “And in the days of those [future] kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever”
This reference is pointed out by a note in my Study Bible, and I missed it somehow, until just this past week, reading through the NT for the 40th (or so) time.