1 Peter 1:19

KJV

But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G235} with the precious {G5093} blood {G129} of Christ {G5547}, as {G5613} of a lamb {G286} without blemish {G299} and {G2532} without spot {G784}:

Complete Jewish Bible

on the contrary, it was the costly bloody sacrificial death of the Messiah, as of a lamb without defect or spot.

Berean Standard Bible

but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.

American Standard Version

but with precious blood, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot, even the blood of Christ:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Following the declaration that believers are redeemed from their former futile way of life, 1 Peter 1:19 profoundly identifies the incomparable means of this redemption: the precious blood of Christ. This verse underscores the infinite value and absolute purity of Jesus' atoning sacrifice, presenting Him as the unblemished and spotless Lamb, whose perfect offering alone could secure humanity's salvation and reconcile them to a holy God, fulfilling the typological shadows of the Old Testament sacrificial system.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climax of Peter's argument in [1 Peter 1:18-21](/1_peter/1-18-21 "1 Peter 1:18-21 - Redemption and Faith"). Having established that believers are "redeemed, not with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers" in [1 Peter 1:18](/1_peter/1-18 "1 Peter 1:18 - Redemption's Price"), Peter immediately clarifies *what* the true price of redemption is. The contrast between perishable earthly wealth and the eternal, precious blood of Christ is stark and intentional, highlighting the immense cost and divine nature of salvation. This sets the stage for the call to holy living and sincere love in the subsequent verses, as those who have been bought with such a price are now expected to live in a manner worthy of their divine redemption.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Peter's letter is addressed to "elect exiles of the Dispersion" ([1 Peter 1:1](/1_peter/1-1 "1 Peter 1:1 - Peter's Greeting")), referring to Christians scattered across various Roman provinces in Asia Minor. These believers faced social ostracism and nascent persecution, living as a minority in a pagan world. The imagery of "blood" and "lamb" would have resonated deeply with both Jewish and Gentile converts. Jewish Christians would immediately connect to the Old Testament sacrificial system, particularly the Passover lamb ([Exodus 12](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The Passover")), and the daily temple sacrifices for sin, where the shedding of blood was essential for atonement ([Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Leviticus 17:11 - Life in the Blood")). Gentile converts, while perhaps less familiar with the specifics, would understand the concept of a sacrificial offering to appease a deity, but Peter elevates this concept to an entirely new level, presenting a once-for-all, perfect sacrifice.

* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in 1 Peter and the broader New Testament. Foremost is the **theme of Redemption**, emphasizing that believers have been bought back from the bondage of sin and futility by a divine act, not human effort or material wealth. This redemption is intrinsically linked to the **theme of Atonement**, as Christ's blood is portrayed as the means by which reconciliation with God is achieved, satisfying divine justice. The **Purity and Perfection of Christ** is another vital theme, highlighted by the "without blemish and without spot" imagery, which underscores His sinless nature as the prerequisite for an efficacious sacrifice. This perfection contrasts sharply with the "vain conversation" of the past mentioned in [1 Peter 1:18](/1_peter/1-18 "1 Peter 1:18 - Redemption from Futility"), setting a new standard for the redeemed life. Finally, the **Preciousness of Christ's Sacrifice** is a central idea, asserting the infinite value and eternal efficacy of His work, far surpassing any earthly treasure or temporary ritual.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **blood (Greek, _haîma_):** This term, while literally referring to the vital fluid, carries profound theological weight in the biblical context. In the Old Testament, blood represented life itself and was central to the sacrificial system as the means of atonement, for "the life of the flesh is in the blood" ([Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Leviticus 17:11 - The Sanctity of Blood")). In the New Testament, particularly here, it signifies the atoning death of Christ, the shedding of His life for the forgiveness of sins and the establishment of a new covenant. It is the ultimate payment for redemption.
* **precious (Greek, _tímios_):** Derived from a word meaning "honor" or "value," this adjective denotes something of immense worth, costly, highly esteemed, and honorable. Peter uses it to emphasize the incomparable value of Christ's blood, contrasting it with the "corruptible things" like silver and gold mentioned in the preceding verse. It highlights that Christ's sacrifice is not merely effective, but of infinite, divine worth, far exceeding any earthly currency or offering.
* **without blemish (Greek, _ámōmos_):** This word literally means "unblemished" or "without fault," often used in the Septuagint to describe the physical perfection required of sacrificial animals in the Old Testament, ensuring they were fit for offering to God. When applied to Christ, it signifies His absolute moral and spiritual perfection, His complete freedom from sin and moral defect. This sinless nature was critically essential for His sacrifice to be acceptable and effective as an atonement for humanity's sins, as only a perfect offering could cover imperfection.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But with the precious blood of Christ,"**: This clause introduces the true and incomparable means of redemption, setting it in direct contrast ("But") to the "corruptible things" of the previous verse. The phrase "precious blood" immediately elevates Christ's sacrifice above any earthly value, emphasizing its divine worth and efficacy. It points to the singular, historical event of Christ's atoning death on the cross as the source of salvation.
* **"as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:"**: This powerful simile draws directly from the Old Testament sacrificial system, particularly the requirements for the Passover lamb ([Exodus 12:5](/exodus/12-5 "Exodus 12:5 - The Passover Lamb")) and other offerings for sin ([Leviticus 4:32](/leviticus/4-32 "Leviticus 4:32 - Sin Offering for a Layperson")). The terms "without blemish" (άμωμος, _amōmos_) and "without spot" (άσπιλος, _áspilos_) emphatically declare Christ's absolute moral and spiritual perfection. He is the flawless, sinless sacrifice, uniquely qualified to bear the sins of humanity and reconcile them to a holy God, fulfilling and superseding all previous types and shadows.

#### Literary Devices
Peter employs several powerful **Literary Devices** in this concise verse. The most prominent is **Simile**, as Christ's sacrifice is explicitly compared "as of a lamb." This comparison immediately evokes the rich **Symbolism** of the Old Testament sacrificial system, particularly the Passover lamb, which prefigured Christ's atoning work. The **Contrast** between "corruptible things" (v. 18) and "precious blood" (v. 19) is a key rhetorical strategy, highlighting the infinite value and eternal nature of Christ's redemption versus the fleeting worth of earthly possessions. Furthermore, the use of two near-synonymous adjectives, "without blemish" and "without spot," creates **Emphasis** through **Parallelism** (a form of **Redundancy** for effect), underscoring the absolute and unassailable purity and sinlessness of Christ, which was essential for His perfect sacrifice.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Peter 1:19 is a cornerstone verse for understanding the nature of Christian redemption and atonement. It reveals that salvation is not earned or purchased by human effort or material wealth, but is a divine act secured by the infinitely valuable and perfectly pure sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The imagery of the "precious blood" speaks to the costliness and efficacy of His atoning death, satisfying divine justice and reconciling humanity to God. Christ's designation as a "lamb without blemish and without spot" unequivocally affirms His sinless perfection, a necessary prerequisite for His sacrifice to be acceptable and effective in taking away the sins of the world. This verse thus grounds the believer's hope and assurance in the finished work of Christ, calling them to a life of holiness commensurate with the immense price paid for their redemption.

* [Ephesians 1:7](/ephesians/1-7 "Ephesians 1:7 - Redemption Through His Blood")
* [Hebrews 9:12](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Christ's Eternal Redemption")
* [Revelation 5:9](/revelation/5-9 "Revelation 5:9 - Worthy is the Lamb")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Peter 1:19 offers profound assurance and a compelling call to transformed living for every believer. Understanding that our redemption was purchased not with perishable silver or gold, but with the infinitely precious, unblemished, and spotless blood of Christ, should humble us deeply and ignite an unshakeable gratitude. This truth liberates us from the futile pursuit of self-salvation or reliance on earthly securities, grounding our hope in the perfect and complete work of Jesus. The immense value of His sacrifice underscores the seriousness of sin, which required such a divine remedy, and simultaneously magnifies the boundless love of God who provided it. Consequently, our lives are no longer our own, but belong to Him who bought us at such an incomparable price. This realization should motivate us to live lives that reflect the holiness and purity of our Redeemer, pursuing righteousness and love, knowing that our salvation is eternally secure in His perfect sacrifice.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the "precious" nature of Christ's blood impact your appreciation for your salvation?**
* **In what ways does the imagery of Christ as a "lamb without blemish and without spot" deepen your understanding of His character and the efficacy of His sacrifice?**
* **Knowing the immense price paid for your redemption, how should this truth practically influence your daily choices, priorities, and pursuit of holiness?**

### FAQ

**Why is Christ's blood described as "precious" and not just "effective"?**

Answer: Christ's blood is described as "precious" (Greek: _tímios_) to emphasize its incomparable and infinite value, far surpassing any earthly currency or material wealth. In [1 Peter 1:18](/1_peter/1-18 "1 Peter 1:18 - Redemption from Futility"), Peter contrasts this with "corruptible things, as silver and gold." The term "precious" signifies that Christ's sacrifice is not merely effective in a functional sense, but that it possesses inherent, divine worth and honor. It underscores the dignity of the one who shed it—the Son of God—and the eternal, perfect nature of the redemption it secured. It’s a qualitative statement about the unparalleled worth of His atoning work, making it the only acceptable and sufficient payment for humanity's sin.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Peter 1:19 stands as a pivotal declaration of Christ's ultimate fulfillment of all Old Testament types and shadows, particularly the sacrificial system. The imagery of Christ as the "lamb without blemish and without spot" directly echoes the requirements for the Passover lamb ([Exodus 12:5](/exodus/12-5 "Exodus 12:5 - The Passover Lamb")) and the perfect animals required for sin offerings under the Mosaic Law ([Leviticus 4](/leviticus/4 "Leviticus 4 - Sin Offerings")). These Old Testament sacrifices, though divinely ordained, were temporary and imperfect, needing to be repeated continually because "it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins" ([Hebrews 10:4](/hebrews/10-4 "Hebrews 10:4 - Inadequacy of Animal Sacrifices")). Jesus, as the perfect Lamb of God, proclaimed by John the Baptist in [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), perfectly embodies the sinless purity that no animal could. His "precious blood" represents His voluntary, substitutionary death, which was a once-for-all sacrifice ([Hebrews 7:27](/hebrews/7-27 "Hebrews 7:27 - Christ's Once-for-All Sacrifice")) that effectively and eternally atones for sin, cleansing believers from all unrighteousness ([1 John 1:7](/1_john/1-7 "1 John 1:7 - Cleansing by Christ's Blood")). Thus, Christ is the ultimate and complete fulfillment of all sacrificial expectations, providing not merely a covering for sin, but its complete removal, establishing a new and better covenant through His perfect and eternal redemption ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 John 1:7

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

1 Peter 2:22

Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

1 Peter 2:24

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

John 1:29

¶ The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

Hebrews 9:12

Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption [for us].

Hebrews 9:14

How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Revelation 5:9

And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;