1 Peter 2:22

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Who {G3739} did {G4160} no {G3756} sin {G266}, neither {G3761} was guile {G1388} found {G2147} in {G1722} his {G846} mouth {G4750}:

Complete Jewish Bible

“He committed no sin,
nor was any deceit found on his lips.”

Berean Standard Bible

“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.”

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Peter 2:22 profoundly declares the impeccable character of Jesus Christ, asserting His absolute sinlessness and complete freedom from deceit, particularly in the context of His unjust suffering. This verse serves as a foundational statement of Christ's moral perfection, which undergirds His role as the spotless sacrifice for humanity, while simultaneously presenting Him as the supreme example for believers enduring undeserved hardship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Peter's broader exhortation to believers regarding their conduct, especially when facing suffering. Following a call to submit to human authorities ([1 Peter 2:13-17](/1_peter/2-13-17 "1 Peter 2:13-17 - Submission to Authorities")) and an instruction for household servants to submit to their masters, even harsh ones ([1 Peter 2:18](/1_peter/2-18 "1 Peter 2:18 - Servants and Masters")), Peter introduces Christ as the ultimate paradigm. Verses [1 Peter 2:19-21](/1_peter/2-19-21 "1 Peter 2:19-21 - Christ's Example in Suffering") specifically commend enduring suffering for righteousness' sake, stating that Christians are called to follow in Christ's steps. [1 Peter 2:22](/1_peter/2-22 "1 Peter 2:22 - Christ's Sinless Suffering") and the subsequent verses (up to [1 Peter 2:25](/1_peter/2-25 "1 Peter 2:25 - The Shepherd and Overseer of Souls")) then elaborate on the nature of Christ's suffering, emphasizing His innocence and redemptive purpose, thereby providing both the motivation and the model for believers.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Peter is addressing Christians dispersed throughout Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), who were facing various forms of social ostracization, slander, and potentially official persecution. The Roman Empire, while generally tolerant of diverse religions, viewed Christianity with suspicion due to its exclusive claims and refusal to participate in emperor worship. This often led to Christians being falsely accused and suffering unjustly. Within this context, Peter's letter provides pastoral encouragement, urging steadfastness, good conduct, and reliance on God's justice. The allusion to [Isaiah 53:9](/isaiah/53-9 "Isaiah 53:9 - The Suffering Servant's Innocence") is significant, as it taps into a deeply resonant Old Testament prophecy concerning a suffering, righteous servant, a concept that would have been familiar to Jewish Christians and understood by Gentile converts through apostolic teaching.
* **Key Themes:** The overarching theme in [1 Peter 2](/1_peter/2 "1 Peter 2 - Living Stones and Holy Conduct") is the call to holy living and submission in the face of an ungodly world, culminating in the example of Christ's suffering. This verse contributes to several key themes: **Christ's Sinlessness**, which is foundational to His atoning work and His perfect example; **Suffering for Righteousness' Sake**, as Christ's undeserved suffering becomes the pattern for believers; and **Divine Justice**, as believers are encouraged to entrust themselves to God, "who judges righteously" ([1 Peter 2:23](/1_peter/2-23 "1 Peter 2:23 - Christ Entrusts Himself to God")). The emphasis on Christ's truthful speech also reinforces the theme of **Integrity and Witness** in a hostile environment, where believers' words and actions are under scrutiny.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sin (Greek, _hamartía'_):** From G266, meaning a missing of the mark or transgression. In this context, it denotes a complete absence of moral failure, rebellion against God's law, or any act that falls short of divine perfection. Christ's life was utterly devoid of such transgression.
* **did (Greek, _poiéō'_):** From G4160, meaning "to make or do." The use of this verb with the negative "no" (G3756, _ou_) emphasizes the active and complete absence of sin in Christ's life. It's not merely that sin wasn't attributed to Him, but that He actively performed no sinful deed.
* **guile (Greek, _dólos'_):** From G1388, referring to a trick, bait, wile, craft, deceit, or subtilty. This word signifies intentional deception, cunning, or treachery. Its absence in Christ's mouth highlights His absolute integrity and truthfulness in all His communication, even under duress.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Who did no sin,"**: This clause unequivocally asserts the perfect moral purity of Jesus Christ. It declares that His life was entirely free from any transgression against God's law or any moral failing. This sinlessness is not merely a passive state but an active demonstration, meaning He never committed an act of sin. This truth is foundational to His role as the spotless Lamb of God, capable of bearing the sins of humanity.
* **"neither was guile found in his mouth:"**: This second clause expands on Christ's perfection, focusing specifically on His speech. It means that no deceit, trickery, dishonesty, or malicious intent was ever discovered in anything He said. His words were always pure, truthful, and without hidden motives, even when facing His accusers and enduring immense suffering. This emphasizes His complete integrity in both action and word.

#### Literary Devices
Peter employs several literary devices to powerfully convey Christ's impeccable character. The most prominent is **Allusion**, as the verse directly echoes [Isaiah 53:9](/isaiah/53-9 "Isaiah 53:9 - The Suffering Servant's Innocence"), which describes the Suffering Servant: "he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth." By applying this prophecy to Jesus, Peter underscores Christ's fulfillment of Old Testament messianic expectations and highlights His innocence in suffering. Furthermore, Peter uses **Parallelism** through the two negative clauses ("did no sin" and "neither was guile found in his mouth"), which function as a complementary pair, reinforcing the comprehensive nature of Christ's perfection. The first clause speaks to His actions, and the second to His words, together painting a complete picture of moral integrity. There is also an element of **Synecdoche** or **Metonymy** in the phrase "in his mouth," where "mouth" (stóma) stands for all of Christ's speech and communication, emphasizing the purity of His every utterance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The profound declaration of Christ's sinlessness and truthfulness in [1 Peter 2:22](/1_peter/2-22 "1 Peter 2:22 - Christ's Sinless Suffering") is a cornerstone of Christian theology. His perfect moral purity is not merely an admirable quality but an essential prerequisite for His atoning work. Only a sinless sacrifice could effectively bear the sins of a fallen humanity, providing a perfect propitiation that satisfies divine justice. This verse connects Christ's blameless life directly to His redemptive suffering, presenting Him as the ultimate example for believers called to endure hardship righteously. It underscores the truth that His suffering was vicarious, for our sins, not for His own.

* [Isaiah 53:9](/isaiah/53-9 "Isaiah 53:9 - The Suffering Servant's Innocence")
* [Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sympathetic High Priest")
* [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The profound truth of Christ's sinless life and truthful speech, even in the crucible of unjust suffering, offers believers both immense comfort and a compelling challenge. We find comfort in knowing that our salvation rests upon the perfect, unblemished sacrifice of one who was truly without fault, making His atonement fully efficacious. This perfect example also challenges us to cultivate integrity in our own lives, particularly when facing adversity or false accusations. In a world often characterized by deceit and moral compromise, Christ's unwavering purity in both action and word calls us to strive for a similar integrity. When we suffer unjustly, we are not to retaliate with sin or deceit, but to entrust ourselves to God, following Christ's pattern of patient endurance and truthfulness. This verse reminds us that our witness to the world is profoundly shaped by how we respond to suffering, reflecting the character of the One who endured all for us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Christ's absolute sinlessness and truthfulness provide a foundation for your personal faith and hope?**
* **In what specific areas of your life are you challenged to emulate Christ's integrity, especially when facing difficult circumstances or unfair treatment?**
* **How does knowing that Christ "did no sin" impact your understanding of His suffering and its redemptive power?**

### FAQ
**Why is Christ's sinlessness so important for Christian theology?**

Answer: Christ's sinlessness is absolutely crucial because it is the foundational prerequisite for His atoning work. As the perfect, unblemished "Lamb of God" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), He alone was qualified to bear the sin of the world. If Jesus had sinned, even once, He would have needed a savior Himself and would have been subject to the penalty of sin, thus rendering His sacrifice insufficient to redeem humanity. His perfect obedience and moral purity mean that His death was not for His own transgressions but entirely for ours, making Him the spotless offering that satisfies God's righteous demands ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - The Blood of Christ Cleanses Conscience")).

**How does "guile found in his mouth" relate to Christ's character?**

Answer: The phrase "neither was guile found in his mouth" emphasizes Christ's complete and utter truthfulness, integrity, and lack of deceit in all His communication. "Guile" (Greek: _dólos_) refers to trickery, cunning, or malicious deception. This means that Jesus never spoke with hidden motives, never manipulated others with His words, and never resorted to dishonesty, even when facing intense pressure, false accusations, or the threat of death. His words were always pure, straightforward, and reflective of divine truth. This aspect of His character serves as a powerful example for believers to speak truthfully and without deceit, especially when under duress, reflecting the character of God who cannot lie ([Titus 1:2](/titus/1-2 "Titus 1:2 - God Who Cannot Lie")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[1 Peter 2:22](/1_peter/2-22 "1 Peter 2:22 - Christ's Sinless Suffering") finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in presenting Jesus as the ultimate, spotless sacrifice who perfectly embodies the prophetic description of the Suffering Servant from [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant"). His absolute sinlessness—"Who did no sin"—is not merely a moral attribute but the very qualification that enables Him to be the efficacious atonement for humanity's transgressions. He is the "Lamb without blemish or spot" ([1 Peter 1:19](/1_peter/1-19 "1 Peter 1:19 - Redeemed by Christ's Precious Blood")), whose perfect life allows Him to "bear our sins in his own body on the tree" ([1 Peter 2:24](/1_peter/2-24 "1 Peter 2:24 - Christ Bore Our Sins")). Furthermore, the declaration that "neither was guile found in his mouth" underscores His complete integrity, confirming Him as the faithful and true witness ([Revelation 3:14](/revelation/3-14 "Revelation 3:14 - The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness")), whose words are pure truth, even in the face of false accusation and crucifixion. His suffering was not a consequence of His own sin, but a voluntary act of divine love, fulfilling God's redemptive plan to reconcile a sinful world to Himself through the perfect, blameless life and sacrificial death of His Son ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")).

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

Isaiah 53:9

And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither [was any] deceit in his mouth.

2 Corinthians 5:21

For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Hebrews 4:15

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin.

1 John 3:5

And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

Hebrews 7:26

For such an high priest became us, [who is] holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

Hebrews 7:27

Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.

Revelation 14:5

And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.