Isaiah 28:16Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Can you perceive the necessity of Christ's arrival for this purpose? Do you grasp the importance of the incarnation? He proclaims, it seems, alongside the prophets. He speaks of laying a cornerstone on Zion: since the entire structure was collapsed, He envisions a foundation set deep, much like how, if one desires to reconstruct a fully obliterated wall, they would bury substantial stones deep into the ground. It is clear from the subsequent verses that He speaks not of a stone or any lifeless object: "he that believeth in him shall not be ashamed." Certainly, He did not command merely stones to believe; rather, He proclaimed the Redeemer, as Paul notes when he states, "He laid the foundation" (cf. 1 Cor. 3:10-11). This implication does not suggest that the Son was created in any manner; instead, it affirms that He, who existed from the very beginning, is the Messiah and the cornerstone of the gospel upon which the church stands. Jesus Christ provides the underpinning of all creation, as His own words affirm: "I am the root, and ye are the branches" (cf. Jn. 15:5). Born from this root, with no connection to humanity, He desired out of compassion to become like mankind and to serve as the foundation for humankind's edifices; believers arise from Him as branches. Why is He identified as the foundation? Because those who do not build upon this foundation cannot enter the structure, and those who do not originate from it will inevitably face ruin. He is referred to as a rock, steadfast and secure, for it supports all who cling to it—a precious stone of immense worth, which escapes true valuation. "All that the Father hath is mine" (John 16:15), He proclaims. How could He not be invaluable when the authority over life and death rests in His grasp? He who freely distributes such gifts possesses power not only to enrich the impoverished but to transform humanity into angels, for He not only grants wealth and worldly attire but renews the very essence of being. How could He not be priceless, who offers not merely silver or gold, but also bodily immortality, the kingdom of heaven, and eternal might? How could He not be precious when all of creation dwarfs in comparison, "as a drop in a bucket," and is regarded "as dust in the scales" (Isaiah 40:15)? Who can declare His greatness? After reflecting on it, Paul proclaimed, "Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!" (Rom. 11:33). Indeed, "Thy judgments are a great deep" (Ps. 36:7); and, "Who can declare the mighty acts of the Lord?" (Ps. 106:2). How can He not be precious, whose gifts and might transcend verbal description, surpassing all rationale, eloquence, and contemplation? In referring to Him as "the tried stone," the prophet indicates His unmatched perfection, incomparable and without peer. In stating, "He chose David His servant" (Psalms 77:70), the Psalmist acknowledges David's selection amid all of his contemporaries; he refers to David as "a man," as he was indeed human, though chosen. The prophet gestures toward the unparalleled superiority of the Messiah, indicating that none is equal to Him, as He alone is equal to the Father. Consequently, when the Son or Christ is mentioned, we must not perceive Him as merely one among many; the prophet stresses: "He is the elect, to whom none can be equated." Just as it is declared of the Father, "There is none among the gods like Thee, O Lord" (Psalms 85:8), so it is expressed of the Son, "Who in the assembly of the mighty can be likened unto the Lord?" (Psalms 89:6). Although many are present, He alone is equivalent to the Father. Do you see that inheritance belongs solely to Him alongside the Father, and He is not comparable to the other sons of God? The prophet's terminology for both the Father and the Son emphasizes their shared authority.

Moreover, "There is none like Thee, O Lord, among the gods, neither are there any works like Thine" (Ps. 85:8). To prevent misunderstandings of his praise, further affirmation of His works is provided: "Believe Me, and examine My works" (cf. John 10:38)—if their outcome reflects that of the Father, then recognize Me as the Creator. Similarly, Christ urges, “If you do not believe Me, believe My works” (Jn. 10:38). A precious stone, indeed an essential cornerstone. Can you see how the prophet unveils the mystery? He refers to the Messiah not just as a stone, but as the cornerstone. Those acquainted with the art of construction comprehend these words deeply, thus we ought to enlighten those unfamiliar with them. The cornerstone must be the most durable stone compared to the others used in building. Functioning to connect and secure other stones, it must exhibit greater stability to uphold the critical part of the structure, tightly reinforcing it and enabling it to withstand strong winds. The purpose of cornerstones is to resist gale-force winds while safeguarding the entire edifice. All this is fulfilled in Christ—He became the pledge for us (Galatians 3:13), enduring death and suffering to uphold our humanity; simultaneously, He reconciled the two disparate walls, the Gentiles and the Jews. Placing Himself between them, He united these former adversaries into one, binding the divided walls—angelic and human—together. Do you see, within the body of Christ, the assembly of the four walls constructing one temple? In Him, we are gathered, bonded, and unified—we who were once apart. He was circumcised and adhered to all the laws, lest failing to fulfill them turn the Jews away; He also drew the Gentiles to Himself, opening a pathway for new grace. But when the partition was removed, grace hesitated to dwell with mankind. Even the angels waged war against humanity, for their Lord was scorned, prompting a divine response to such disrespect. Yet, He embraced them, for while in the flesh, He still sought their honor, as they had only revered the Divine before His arrival. Who would be so foolish as to witness their Lord adorned with the fabric of His foes yet dare to confront Him? If He honors our flesh, how could He despise it? Just as dear friends wear the garments of one another, irrespective of their condition, so Christ not only donned that frail garb here but remains unashamed to wear this tainted attire even in heaven, where He sits at the right hand of the Father: love transcends all boundaries, rendering nothing ignominious. It is aptly said: "precious." Though He endured blows and was spat upon, suffered countless torments, and ultimately faced a humiliating death, do not misinterpret this disgrace: though He experienced such dishonor, He never relinquished His eminence. When you contemplate the foundation, do not underestimate it; it is not obscure but rather manifest, supporting all things with steadfastness. In another context, this foundation is recognized as “the head of the corner” (Psalm 117:22; cf. Matthew 21:42): in heaven, it fortifies everything, while on earth, it renders all things immovable—all is anchored in this singular truth, and without it, all collapses. Thus it is stated, "In His hand are all the ends of the earth" (Psalms 94:4). Do you notice how the prophet declares concerning the Son regarding the entire cosmos what is uttered of the Father concerning the earth? Not merely the earth but also the nature of angels, archangels, and all created beings lie within His dominion. We affirm that that which is said of the Father concerning the earth is supreme, and the same is echoed regarding the Son: "All things through Him were made; and without Him was not anything made that was made" (John 1:3). Not only heaven and earth but also the angels and archangels, thrones and principalities, and everything else owe their existence and continuance to Him. By declaring Him the head of all things, the prophet clarifies how everything came into being through Him. Just as no person can survive without the head and the strength it imparts to the body's members, so nothing created can exist without Christ: "Thou takest away their breath, and they die" (Psalms 104:29). Christ is the overarching cornerstone, and it is unwarranted for anyone to depend on themselves or their esteemed ancestors, particularly the Jews, who have traditionally honored their forebears: even if any good event occurs, it is accomplished through the power of Christ. "He that believeth in him shall not be ashamed" (Isaiah 28:16). This assertion rightly conveys that "He that believeth on him shall not be ashamed." Observe that these words predict His first coming, which, though supremely glorious, still necessitated faith. Yet upon His triumphant return, faith will become obsolete, replaced by the overwhelming presence of God. Can you perceive the enduring relevance of faith? He states, "He that believeth on him," not "he that strives to comprehend Him"; He specifies "he that believeth," not "he that interrogates and probes"; "he that believeth," not "he that diligently scrutinizes." Let those attempting to grasp the Unknowable be ashamed! Faith remains perpetually essential. You must believe that He was born, existed on this earth, endured execution and suffering, and liberated the entire world through the cross—all of this demands profound and glorious faith to acknowledge that from the cross, an instrument of death, came liberation, and through death came life, filling the entire cosmos, as it is inscribed: "For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea" (Isaiah 11:9), and furthermore: "And they shall not teach every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know Me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them" (Jer. 31:34), and also: "From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord's name is to be praised" (Ps. 112:3). What more could one desire? Consider the majesty of God's power: there He established the sign of understanding, and here the trophy of His triumph. What does the cross signify? Yet, we see that from this tree, redemption has been achieved. Who has ever heard or witnessed that the scourge of the curse has become the emblem of life over death and the destruction of sins, which exist as stark opposites? And are we not filled with awe? We dread even approaching the torturer, paralyzed by fear, yet we don the royal crown, the soldier's ornaments, upon our heads, hearts, and altars, marking the cross. If exorcising demons is required, we invoke the cross, which also serves as a remedy for ailments. How many had been executed in the past, yet none bore such transformative power. "And they shall bow down to Him," declares Zephaniah, "every one from his place" (Sophonias 2:11). Disregard my words, O Jew; instead, I engage you with the ancient testimony! Why do you, pitiable soul, persist in conflict with your own salvation? Why seek your own annihilation? Do you not see the tomb? Do you not recognize the place of the cross? Are these not established as lasting memorials? If someone were to inquire about the wondrous acts of Christ, I would refrain from mentioning the heavens, the earth, the sea, the resurrection of many deceased, and other miracles He performed, such as multiplying loaves and transforming water into wine—instead, I would solely point to the cross, which eclipses all others in glory. His crucifixion, I assert, the blows and spitting He endured, each contributed to our ultimate benefit. This is God's handiwork; Christ Himself refers to it as glory: "Father," He implores, "the hour is come; glorify Thy Son" (John 17:1); and Paul reiterates, "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross" (Galatians 6:14). He has established a model for us to perpetually recall that Christ suffered for humanity to elevate them—He vanquished both the cross and death through the cross. This signifies the pinnacle of love and boundless mercy directed toward us. Therefore, Paul often stated, "He was poured out in every way" (Rom. 5:5), and John declared, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son" (John 3:16; cf.

This passage should be understood in light of the preceding message: “For this reason,” says He, “hear the word of the Lord, you men full of bitterness, and the leaders of these people in Jerusalem.” What does He command them to hear? “Behold, I lay a precious stone as the foundation of Zion, chosen and honorable, and whoever believes in it will not be put to shame.” Here, our Lord Jesus Christ is referred to as the chosen and invaluable stone, radiant with the glory and all-powerful presence of the Godhead. He signifies that He is the establishment and the steadfast foundation of the spiritual Zion, which represents the Church, indicating that the Father has placed Him as the cornerstone (Matt. 21:42; 1 Cor. 3:11; Eph. 2:20).

Without this foundational stone, I struggle to understand how individuals can become the dwelling place of God, enabling Him to reside within them, unless they experience regeneration, which can only occur after they are born anew. From the very outset of His arrival, the begotten and proclaimed Son is revealed as this cornerstone. He began to unite two distinct groups; He drew the shepherds from Judea to Himself and welcomed the wise men from the East.

While searching for a wife, Jacob encountered Rachel by chance at the well. At this well, there was a substantial stone that many shepherds would jointly move aside to provide water for themselves and their flocks. Yet, Jacob alone was able to remove the stone and tend to the bride's sheep. This event strikes me as a profound mystery, a prefiguration of what was to come. What else could the stone represent but Christ Himself? As Isaiah proclaims, "Behold, I lay a stone for a foundation in Zion, a stone tried, a cornerstone, precious, firmly established." Similarly, Daniel states, "The stone was cut out of the mountain without hands" (Dan. 2:45), indicating that Christ was born of a virgin.

For this purpose... take notice, I am setting a precious stone as the foundation of Zion, a selected cornerstone; that is, a kingdom cornerstone of great worth in the shadow of the altar, beneath the cherubim. This chosen stone represents our Lord, positioned at the head of the corner in the church of Zion, allowing both those in high places and those in lowly positions to unite in harmony through Him. He is the pinnacle of the structure, as He reigns as King, and He is the foundation, sustaining the entire world with His truth. Whoever places their faith in Him will not be fearful. He who believes in this way will never be put to shame, just as the mystery revealed in Hezekiah finds its ultimate expression in our Lord, for the one born of a virgin is indeed the selected Stone.

This foundational stone unites two factions and restores both nations, as God proclaimed through Isaiah: ‘Behold, I lay a stone for a foundation in Zion, a tested stone, a cornerstone, precious, firmly established: he that believeth in it shall not be ashamed.’ It was His divine purpose to erect this cornerstone alongside others, enabling the apostle Paul to confidently declare that we are built upon the foundation laid by the apostles and prophets, with Jesus Christ Himself as the cornerstone (Eph. 2:20).

The essence of justice is grounded in faith, as the hearts of the righteous are focused on belief. Even when a righteous individual holds himself accountable, he still values faith as foundational to justice, because true righteousness emerges only through the acknowledgment of truth. This is reflected in the words of the Lord via Isaiah, ‘Behold, I lay a stone for the foundation of Zion,’ referring to Christ as the cornerstone of the Church. Christ serves as the central object of universal faith. Moreover, the Church embodies a true reflection of justice, as it transcends personal gain: it intercedes for all, acts on behalf of all, and endures trials for the sake of all. Consequently, the one who denies himself is deemed righteous and is favored by Christ.

Is His tomb crafted by human hands? Is it elevated above the earth, akin to the burial sites of royalty? Is the memorial constructed from stone? And what adorns it? Speak clearly, O prophets! And concerning the grave, where has He been laid, and where shall we seek Him? They proclaim, "Behold the solid rock that has been hewn (Isaiah 51:1), look and be filled with shame... And yet another prophet states, 'I, the cornerstone, the chosen, the precious, rest within the stone, but only for a brief period; a stumbling block for the Jews, yet a source of salvation for those who have faith.'

The Almighty Himself established Zion, imparting the grace of the Father and instilling faith in Himself at its very core. As declared through the prophet Isaiah, ‘Behold, I lay a stone for a foundation in Zion, a tried stone, a cornerstone, precious, firmly established: he that believeth on it shall not be ashamed.’

Isaiah proclaimed, Look, I have set a foundation in Zion: a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone; he who places his faith in it will not experience disgrace. This cornerstone is Christ, who interpreted Jacob's vision when Nathanael approached Him: ‘From this moment, you will witness heaven opened, with the angels of God going up and coming down to the Son of Man (John 1:51). The One who comes down is Christ Himself, while the One who ascends is above all heavens and fulfills all things. The ladder signifies that He indeed creates the narrow path that leads to life.

This wonderful Stone, my brethren, is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. If the prophet had thought of an ordinary stone, he would not have spoken about faith in it, for that would have been an idolatrous prophecy.

The prophet declares: Behold, I have set a tested stone in Zion, a precious cornerstone, firmly established. He continues, Whoever places their faith in Him will have everlasting life. Is our hope, therefore, built upon a solid foundation? Indeed, the prophet speaks of the incarnation of the Lord, for the Lord has granted strength to His flesh. As He proclaims, He has made my face as hard as flint.

Who else could serve as the foundation stone but the living and precious One, who, through His teachings, unites the two into a single structure? Indeed, He constructed the edifice of Moses that reached up to His own time, and subsequently connected it to our gospel framework. For this reason, He is referred to as the cornerstone.

The inhabitants of Judea, particularly those in Jerusalem, were overly confident in their protection against impending assaults, boldly asserting, ‘We have established a covenant with the grave and with death.’ This suggests they believed they had taken all necessary precautions to shield themselves from adversaries: fortified cities, a well-equipped army, and strong allies like the Egyptians. They felt no trepidation towards mortal peril or the abyss; the provisions they made against such calamities seemed as secure as if they had struck a deal with death itself to spare them from harm. They thought the storm would not affect them, even if enemies were to invade with the fury and haste of a tempest; they believed this onslaught would pass without impact.

The Sovereign Lord declares: ‘I have set a stone as the cornerstone of Zion. (Cf. Ps. 117:22). In this context, Zion clearly represents the spiritual realm, the chosen individuals who accept the promises through faith; looking ahead, it signifies the purified and enlightened assembly of believers, guided by the Messiah, who serves as their Shepherd. He is the cornerstone of the great sacred structure known as the Church of Christ; if this cornerstone were removed, the entire edifice would collapse. This cornerstone is invaluable because it embodies the love of God; it holds great value as nothing is more significant to humanity than one’s soul and its eternal salvation, as it is written ‘for what ransom will a man give for his soul?’ (Matt.