Peter here used a figure of speech familiar to the priests. The prophets had spoken of the rejected stone; and Christ Himself, speaking on one occasion to the priests and elders, said: "Did ye never read in the Scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes? Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder." Matthew 21:42-44.

Peter benyttede her en talemåde, som var velkendt for præsterne. Profeterne havde talt om den forkastede sten, og Kristus havde selv ved en lejlighed, hvor han talte til præsterne og de ældste, sagt: "Har I aldrig læst i skrifterne: