The Messiah Rejected by His Own
Isaiah foretold a despised Messiah; John records that His own received Him not.
Isaiah said the Servant would be despised and rejected of men. John's Gospel opens by recording that Christ came unto His own and His own received Him not — the prophecy fulfilled in His earthly ministry and at the cross.
The Prophecy
"He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not."
"The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner."
The Fulfillment
"He came unto his own, and his own received him not."
"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."
Despised by men
Isaiah's portrait of the Servant — despised, rejected, a man of sorrows — found exact fulfillment in Christ's earthly ministry, climaxing in the cry, 'Crucify him.'
The rejected stone
Peter quotes Psalm 118 to declare that the very stone Israel's builders refused has become the chief cornerstone of God's new temple, the Church.
People in This Prophecy
Verse Commentary
Read verse-by-verse commentary on the key passages of this prophecy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did Jesus apply Psalm 118:22 to Himself?
In Matthew 21:42, after the parable of the wicked husbandmen, Jesus quoted it directly of Himself.
Did Israel as a nation reject Jesus?
The leaders and majority did (John 1:11; Acts 4:11), yet a believing remnant — beginning with the apostles — received Him as Messiah.
What does it mean that He is the chief cornerstone?
Peter teaches (1 Peter 2:6-7) that the rejected stone has become the foundation of God's new spiritual temple — the Church built on Christ.
Related Bible Prophecies
The Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53
Christ wounded for our transgressions — fulfilled at Calvary.
Psalm 22 and the Crucifixion
David's psalm reads like an eyewitness account of Calvary.
Silent Before His Accusers
Isaiah 53:7 foretold the Lamb-like silence of the Servant at His trial.
Hated Without a Cause
Christ applied Psalm 35:19 and 69:4 directly to the world's hatred against Him.
Related Reading
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Isaiah in the Bible
The Messianic Prophet
Messiah (מָשִׁיחַ (mashiach))
The Anointed One — God's chosen deliverer and king.