1 Peter 3:21

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ The like figure whereunto [even] baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

Complete Jewish Bible:

This also prefigures what delivers us now, the water of immersion, which is not the removal of dirt from the body, but one’s pledge to keep a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Yeshua the Messiah.

Berean Standard Bible:

And this water symbolizes the baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

American Standard Version:

which also after a true likeness doth now save you, even baptism, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the interrogation of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ;

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

The like figure^{G499} whereunto^{G3739} even baptism^{G908} doth^{G4982} also^{G2532} now^{G3568} save^{G4982} us^{G2248}(not^{G3756} the putting away^{G595} of the filth^{G4509} of the flesh^{G4561}, but^{G235} the answer^{G1906} of a good^{G18} conscience^{G4893} toward^{G1519} God^{G2316},) by^{G1223} the resurrection^{G386} of Jesus^{G2424} Christ^{G5547}:

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Commentary for 1 Peter 3:21

1 Peter 3:21 is part of a larger passage in which the Apostle Peter is addressing the spiritual significance of baptism in the context of Christian faith and practice. The verse is often understood within the framework of early Christian theology, where baptism is seen as a sacramental rite that symbolizes the believer's union with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4).

In this verse, Peter clarifies that baptism is not merely a physical cleansing but a spiritual act that reflects an internal transformation. The phrase "not the putting away of the filth of the flesh" suggests that the act of baptism is not about external purification alone. Instead, it is about the "answer of a good conscience toward God," indicating an inner commitment and moral renewal that accompanies genuine faith in Jesus Christ.

The historical context of this verse is the early Christian church, which was spreading throughout the Roman Empire. During this time, Christian converts, many of whom were Gentiles, were being baptized as a public declaration of their faith in Jesus. This declaration was significant in a culture where religious identity and rituals were deeply intertwined with social and political life.

Peter connects the salvific aspect of baptism to the resurrection of Jesus Christ, emphasizing that it is through Jesus' victory over death that believers find salvation. The verse does not teach that baptism itself grants salvation in a mechanical sense but rather that it is a response to and a symbol of the salvation already achieved through Christ's atoning work.

In summary, 1 Peter 3:21 addresses the spiritual dimension of baptism, distinguishing it from mere ritualistic washing. It highlights the importance of baptism as an appeal to God for a clear conscience, grounded in the believer's faith in the saving power of Jesus' resurrection. This verse reflects the early church's understanding of baptism as a transformative event that outwardly signifies the inward reality of new life in Christ.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G499
   There are 91 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀντίτυπον
   Transliteration: antítypon
   Pronunciation: an-teet'-oo-pon
   Description: neuter of a compound of ἀντί and τύπος; corresponding ("antitype"), i.e. a representative, counterpart:--(like) figure (whereunto).
   
2. Strong's Number: G3739
   There are 1215 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὅς
   Transliteration: hós
   Pronunciation: ho
   Description: probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article ὁ); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc. See also οὗ.
   
3. Strong's Number: G908
   There are 22 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: βάπτισμα
   Transliteration: báptisma
   Pronunciation: bap'-tis-mah
   Description: from βαπτίζω; baptism (technically or figuratively):--baptism.
   
4. Strong's Number: G4982
   There are 103 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: σώζω
   Transliteration: sṓzō
   Pronunciation: sode'-zo
   Description: from a primary (contraction for obsolete , "safe"); to save, i.e. deliver or protect (literally or figuratively):--heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole.
   
5. Strong's Number: G2532
   There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καί
   Transliteration: kaí
   Pronunciation: kahee
   Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
   
6. Strong's Number: G3568
   There are 133 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: νῦν
   Transliteration: nŷn
   Pronunciation: noon
   Description: a primary particle of present time; "now" (as adverb of date, a transition or emphasis); also as noun or adjective present or immediate:--henceforth, + hereafter, of late, soon, present, this (time). See also τανῦν, νυνί.
   
7. Strong's Number: G2248
   There are 164 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἡμᾶς
   Transliteration: hēmâs
   Pronunciation: hay-mas'
   Description: accusative case plural of ἐγώ; us:--our, us, we.
   
8. Strong's Number: G3756
   There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: οὐ
   Transliteration: ou
   Pronunciation: ookh
   Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος.
   
9. Strong's Number: G595
   There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀπόθεσις
   Transliteration: apóthesis
   Pronunciation: ap-oth'-es-is
   Description: from ἀποτίθημι; a laying aside (literally or figuratively):--putting away (off).
   
10. Strong's Number: G4509
    There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ῥύπος
    Transliteration: rhýpos
    Pronunciation: hroo'-pos
    Description: of uncertain affinity; dirt, i.e. (morally) depravity:--filth.
    
11. Strong's Number: G4561
    There are 130 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: σάρξ
    Transliteration: sárx
    Pronunciation: sarx
    Description: probably from the base of σαρόω; flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e. (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or as the symbol of what is external, or as the means of kindred), or (by implication) human nature (with its frailties (physically or morally) and passions), or (specially), a human being (as such):--carnal(-ly, + -ly minded), flesh(-ly).
    
12. Strong's Number: G235
    There are 635 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀλλά
    Transliteration: allá
    Pronunciation: al-lah'
    Description: neuter plural of ἄλλος; properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations):--and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.
    
13. Strong's Number: G1906
    There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐπερώτημα
    Transliteration: eperṓtēma
    Pronunciation: ep-er-o'-tay-mah
    Description: from ἐπερωτάω; an inquiry:--answer.
    
14. Strong's Number: G18
    There are 929 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀγαθός
    Transliteration: agathós
    Pronunciation: ag-ath-os'
    Description: a primary word; "good" (in any sense, often as noun):--benefit, good(-s, things), well. Compare καλός.
    
15. Strong's Number: G4893
    There are 30 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: συνείδησις
    Transliteration: syneídēsis
    Pronunciation: soon-i'-day-sis
    Description: from a prolonged form of συνείδω; co-perception, i.e. moral consciousness:--conscience.
    
16. Strong's Number: G1519
    There are 1513 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: εἰς
    Transliteration: eis
    Pronunciation: ice
    Description: a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).
    
17. Strong's Number: G2316
    There are 1172 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: θεός
    Transliteration: theós
    Pronunciation: theh'-os
    Description: of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with ὁ) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).
    
18. Strong's Number: G1223
    There are 580 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: διά
    Transliteration: diá
    Pronunciation: dee-ah'
    Description: a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional):--after, always, among, at, to avoid, because of (that), briefly, by, for (cause) … fore, from, in, by occasion of, of, by reason of, for sake, that, thereby, therefore, X though, through(-out), to, wherefore, with (-in). In composition it retains the same general importance.
    
19. Strong's Number: G386
    There are 189 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀνάστασις
    Transliteration: anástasis
    Pronunciation: an-as'-tas-is
    Description: from ἀνίστημι; a standing up again, i.e. (literally) a resurrection from death (individual, genitive case or by implication, (its author)), or (figuratively) a (moral) recovery (of spiritual truth):--raised to life again, resurrection, rise from the dead, that should rise, rising again.
    
20. Strong's Number: G2424
    There are 935 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: Ἰησοῦς
    Transliteration: Iēsoûs
    Pronunciation: ee-ay-sooce'
    Description: of Hebrew origin (יְהוֹשׁוּעַ); Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites:--Jesus.
    
21. Strong's Number: G5547
    There are 530 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: Χριστός
    Transliteration: Christós
    Pronunciation: khris-tos'
    Description: from χρίω; anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus:--Christ.