1 Peter 3:20 - Printer Friendly

ESV: because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water.

NIV: to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water,

NASB: who once were disobedient when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water.

CSB: who in the past were disobedient, when God patiently waited in the days of Noah while the ark was being prepared. In it a few--that is, eight people --were saved through water.

NLT: those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood.

KJV: Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

NKJV: who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.

Peter has written that Jesus was "made alive in the spirit"" in which" He went and proclaimed something to the "spirits in prison." In this verse, Peter continues by saying that those "spirits in prison" did not obey when God waited patiently. In Noah's days during the construction of the ark, God waited before saving Noah and His family from the flood. Note, just as Jesus did (Matthew 24:37), Peter acknowledges that Noah was an historical figure and Noah's flood was an historical event.

So what could Peter possibly be describing in these verses? What does it mean that Jesus proclaimed to spirits in prison who disobeyed during Noah's time during the construction of the ark. Bible scholars offer several views. Two of the most popular are that the spirit of Jesus preached, through Noah, to those living in disobedience during that time. Another is that Jesus went and declared His victory over death to the fallen angels, now imprisoned, who disobeyed God during that time.

Another persistent view, less biblically supportable, is that Jesus traveled in spirit form after His death and before His resurrection to proclaim something to those in Hades or hell who died before or during the flood. All of these views raise many questions, none of which are easily answered. The bottom line is that we just don't know for sure what Peter means by these verses. What we do know is that Jesus was dead and then made alive, that He suffered and then was made victorious by the Father forever.

1 Peter 3:8–22 addresses all believers, commanding Christians to be unified and to refuse to seek revenge when wronged. Peter quotes from both David and Isaiah to show that God’s people have always been called to reject evil and to do good. This is true even when we are suffering. In fact, it may be God’s will for His people to suffer, in part, to demonstrate His power. Our good example can convict others into repentance. Christ, too, suffered, died, was resurrected, and ascended to power and authority in heaven.

Peter continues teaching about Christian submission to human authorities, now addressing Christian wives. Believing wives must be subject to their own husbands, even if the husband is not a follower of Christ. By doing so, they might win them to Christ through the example of their own changed lives and hearts. Christian husbands must honor their wives. All believers must live in unity together and refuse to seek revenge. In part, God means to use our hopeful response to suffering to provoke the world to see His power in us. Christ, too, suffered and then died, was resurrected, and ascended to heaven.

Peter’s letter to persecuted Christians is about how to endure suffering for faith in Christ. Thus far, he has assured Christians that their future is secure in eternity with God. We are His holy people, set apart for His specific purposes. Because of this, it matters that we live out that truth, even when we suffer. Christians are called to live in submission to every human authority, including kings, governors, and slave masters.

Some 30 years after the resurrection of Jesus, Christians are facing greater persecution for their faith. How should they respond? How should we respond to suffering today? The apostle Peter writes this letter both to comfort believers and to encourage them to stay strong. He urges them to put all their hope in their perfect future with Christ, and to obey and trust Him in the present, even in their suffering. Christ suffered greatly; now the Christ-followers have the opportunity to follow Him even in this, showing His grace and power in their hopefulness, obedience, and faith.