The capstone is mentioned several times in the Bible, both literally and symbolically. Here is an overview of the biblical significance of capstones:
Literal mentions of capstones
In Zechariah 4:7, the capstone is mentioned as part of Zerubbabel’s rebuilding of the temple: “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!’” The “top stone” here refers to the capstone which would be put in place during the temple dedication.
Psalm 118:22 also refers to a literal capstone: “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” Christ quotes this verse in Matthew 21:42, Acts 4:11, and other places, referring to himself as the cornerstone or capstone.
Jesus as the Capstone
Jesus is depicted as the capstone in a few places in Scripture:
“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,’ and ‘A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.’” (1 Peter 2:7-8)
“Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone…” (Ephesians 2:20)
These verses illustrate that Christ is the capstone or cornerstone of the church, binding everything together.
Symbolic meaning of capstones
In addition to the literal uses, capstones held symbolic meaning in biblical times. Capstones were often the finishing touch on buildings and monuments, the crowning achievement. As such, they came to represent:
– Completion – The capstone marked the successful end of a building project. In God’s kingdom, Christ is the capstone and completion of God’s plan.
– Beauty – Capstones were often ornate and beautiful. Christ is described as the radiance of God’s glory, beautiful and perfect.
– Structural integrity – The capstone held together arches and domes. Christ as the capstone reflects how he holds the church together.
– Victory and celebration – Temple capstone ceremonies were joyful, with shouts of “grace, grace to it!” We celebrate Christ’s finished work.
– Position – The capstone was elevated, high and exalted. Christ is exalted to the highest place and position.
– Value – Capstones were valuable and costly cornerstones. Christ is described as chosen and precious.
So in summary, capstones in biblical times signified completion, beauty, structural integrity, victory, elevation, value – all descriptions that point to Christ symbolically. He is the capstone the builders rejected who has become the cornerstone.
Capstone ceremonially marks completeness
In Zechariah 4, the capstone ceremony appears to mark the completeness of the temple after it was rebuilt. There’s a sense of celebration and shouting “grace, grace to it!” when the capstone is set in place, formally completing the project.
The capstone ceremonially marks the finished work, with construction completed. In the same way, Christ’s sacrifice marked the completion of God’s plan for redemption. Jesus proclaimed “It is finished!” on the cross. Nothing else needs to be done because Christ secured full salvation for believers as a free gift of God’s grace.
So capstones marked completeness of a building project, just as Christ signals the complete work of salvation through God’s grace alone.
The rejected stone becoming the capstone
Psalm 118 prophesies the rejected stone becoming the capstone, referring to Christ. Though Jesus was despised and rejected by men, crucified and buried, God raised him from the dead and made him the cornerstone of the Church.
Christ embodied humility and meekness when he walked the earth. But after completing his redemptive work, God elevated Christ to the highest place and gave him the name above all names (Philippians 2:9). God reversed the verdict of men by making the rejected stone the capstone.
This reflects the upside-down values of God’s kingdom. The last will be first, the poor in spirit will inherit the kingdom, the rejected will become the cornerstone. So the capstone imagery speaks to the humility and exaltation of Christ.
Capstone as the crowning block
Architecturally, the capstone was the crowning part of the structure. All the other stones point to and lead up to the capstone. It completes and perfects the building.
We see this with Christ and the gospel message. Jesus is what everything points to and leads up to. He is the crowning block of God’s story of redemption. All the Old Testament prophecies and sacrifices foreshadow him.
The capstone fits perfectly into place, filling the gap at the top. In the same way, Christ perfectly fulfilled God’s plans, culminating as the crowning block of salvation history. AllScripture finds its meaning in Jesus as the capstone. He fills the gap that the blood of bulls and goats never could.
Capstone and cornerstone imagery
Cornerstones and capstones serve similar symbolic functions – both are exalted stones anchoring the building. So Scripture uses “cornerstone” and “capstone” interchangeably at times. Both point to the elevated status of Christ in God’s kingdom.
However, capstone emphasizes Christ as the high point completing the salvation story. Cornerstone has connotations of the foundation and starting point. So while the terms overlap, capstone speaks more to the completeness of Christ’s work, while cornerstone relates to Christ as our sure foundation.
But Scripture utilizes both terms and metaphors to paint a full picture of who Christ is and what he came to do. He is both the starting and culminating point of the gospel message.
The bleeding capstone
One interesting legend surrounding medieval church capstones was the “bleeding capstone” phenomenon. Some church cornerstones were said to have miraculously bled real blood, which people saw as a manifestation of Christ’s sacrifice.
Of course Christ’s actual blood was not on these stones. But the red staining and lichen growth did resemble blood, and served as a vivid reminder of Christ’s death. Just as the capstone visually “bled” with the blood of Christ, so Jesus bled and died to atone for sin.
This again highlights the capstone as a representation of Christ in his sacrificial role. The bleeding capstone legend reinforced Christ as the Lamb who was slain, purchasing redemption through his own blood. Even the stones cried out concerning the saving blood of Jesus.
Implications of Christ as the Capstone
What are some key implications of Christ’s capstone imagery?
– His work is completely sufficient for salvation – nothing else needs to be added
– He fulfilled the ceremonial law and temple forms as the true sacrifice
– Christ perfectly accomplished God’s redemptive plan as the capstone
– All God’s promises and prophecies find their fulfillment in Christ
– Christ as the capstone means grace and victory for the people of God
– We celebrate Christ’s finished work of redemption on the cross
– Believers are “living stones” joined to the capstone, Christ
– We exalt and glorify Christ as both cornerstone and capstone
So in summary, the biblical imagery of Christ as the capstone shows his perfection,
exaltation, completeness, glory, and centrality to God’s plan of redemption. He is the crowning stone, the head of the corner, completing our salvation.