1 Peter 2:8
And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
Study Note
Study Note
'A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense' — citing Isaiah 8:14 alongside Psalm 118:22 (the rejected cornerstone) and Isaiah 28:16 (the precious cornerstone), 1 Peter 2:6–8 creates a composite stone testimonia that interprets Jesus as both foundation and obstacle. The stumbling is described as what happens to those who 'disobey the word, as they were destined to do' — a phrase that has generated significant discussion about divine predestination and human culpability. The stone metaphor in its original Isaiah contexts referred to YHWH himself as both sanctuary and stumbling block to unfaithful Israel, a Christological appropriation that identifies Jesus with YHWH's own presence. The passage balances the honor of believers who trust (verse 7) with the dishonor of those who reject, framing faith and unbelief as responses to the same divine offer.
Other Translations
and, A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence; for they stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
and a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence--who are stumbling at the word, being unbelieving, --to which also they were set;
And, A stone of falling, a rock of trouble; the word is the cause of their fall, because they go against it, and this was the purpose of God.
Cross References
And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and …
And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to …
And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way …
And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising …
What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels …
Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they …
As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him …
But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto …
For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,