1 Peter 3:18-22 (NKJV) For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, 19 by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, 20 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. 21 There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.
V18 “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit…” The Greek word for “suffered” is (G3958) πάσχω paschō, which means (Word Study Dictionary) “To suffer, to be affected by something from without, to be acted upon, to undergo an experience.” This might be physical or emotional. A few texts read “died” instead of suffered, but both Textus Receptus and Byzantine read “suffered.” Jesus did suffer one time and never again. He knew the suffering would be great and plead in prayer to have this cup of suffering to be taken away. Matthew 26:39 NLT – He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Jesus was willing and did die as our Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7). Jesus is the just (never sinned) for the unjust (all humans). His purpose for this suffering was to bring us to God (1 Timothy 2:5). Death is the penalty for sin, and Jesus being sinless died for us (Colossians 2:14). Made alive by the Spirit refers to the resurrection. Compare Romans 8:11 and 1 Corinthians 15:3-4.
V19 “by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison…” Jesus died and went to Paradise. Paradise is the place with the righteous went until Jesus rose from the dead. See Luke 23:43. It is believed that in Hades/Sheol there were two compartments. The wicked dead went to the tormenting compartment, while the righteousness went to the compartment of peace and comfort. This is were Jesus went. Compare Luke 16:19-31, where paradise is term Abraham’s bosom.
About Paradise: (Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary)
In the period between the Old and New Testaments, the Jews believed that, after the resurrection, the righteous would go to Paradise, a place much like the Garden of Eden before the Fall.
In the NKJV the word “paradise” occurs only three times (Luke 23:43; 2 Cor. 12:4; Rev. 2:7). To the repentant thief on the cross Jesus said, “Today you will be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43). Various commentators have pointed out that when a Persian king wished to bestow upon one of his subjects a special honor, he made him a “companion of the garden.” The subject was chosen to walk in the king’s garden as a special friend and companion of the king. Thus, Jesus promised the thief that he would be a companion of the King of kings, walking with Christ in the garden of heaven.
V20 “…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.” “Formerly were disobedient” refers to 1) Jesus is preaching to the disobedient only, 2) Jesus preached to the fallen angels, not of salvation but their doom, 3) Jesus’s message was for the righteous alone (reportedly there are another 15 theories). Number 1 seems strange for Peter writes “formerly” unless it refers to their former physical life. Number 2 seems strange because hell was created for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41). Number 3 seems correct because they were looking forward to the coming Messiah but didn’t understand all, for it was a mystery but now is being made known. This message would be a time for rejoicing for the righteous and anger and/or weeping for the unrighteous.
1 Peter 3:19-22 (Holman Commentary) “The point of the analogy becomes clear when we recall that when a person accepts Jesus Christ as personal Savior, he or she is placed into “the body of Christ.” At that moment the Holy Spirit enters that person’s life as a permanent resident. This action is described in the New Testament as “the baptism of the Holy Spirit” (see 1 Cor. 12:13). This is Peter’s emphasis. When you accept Christ, you are placed spiritually in Christ. As this occurs, you stand before God with a “good conscience” (v. 21) because your sins have been forgiven. Water baptism does not provide a person with a clear conscience before God; baptism by the Holy Spirit does.”
The water saved them from the wrath of God–the flood that killed all air breathing beings except for the 8 in the Ark.
V21 “There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ…” An antitype is an Old Testament foreshadow of a reality explained in the New Testament–it is written in both testaments briefly with a more complete understanding of it in the New Testament.
What baptism is Peter speaking of? The water that Noah and his family experienced did not make any of the delivered wet. God’s judgment on the unbelieving were the ones who got wet. I believe it refers to the Baptism of the Holy Spirit that happens when a person places their faith in Jesus alone for salvation (Mark 1:8 (prophesied), Acts 2:38, Romans 5:5, and 1 Corinthians 6:19.
V22 “ …who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.” “Who” refers to the Lord Jesus where He sits in the place of the heir and highest honor next to God the Father. All angels (righteous and unrighteous), authorities, and powers have already been made subject to the Jesus. Authorities and powers are different grades in the hierarchy of satan’s angels.
We learn:
- Jesus suffered God’s wrath on the cross only 1 time
- Jesus’s death was for redemption
- What Paradise is
- The baptism of the Holy Spirit gives us the clear conscience (1 Corinthians 12:13, Titus 3:5, and Ephesians 1:13)
- Where Jesus is now