1 Peter 3:21

KJV

¶ 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:

KJV (with Strong's)

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}:

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;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First Peter 3:21 presents Christian baptism not as a mere ritualistic washing, but as the spiritual counterpart to Noah's salvation through water, emphasizing its profound significance as an appeal from a good conscience to God. The verse clarifies that the true efficacy of baptism lies not in external cleansing, but in its connection to the transformative power of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is the ultimate source of salvation and new life.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes a significant theological argument Peter makes regarding suffering and salvation, drawing a profound parallel between the flood in Noah's time and Christian baptism. In [1 Peter 3:18-20](/1_peter/3-18-20 "1 Peter 3:18-20 - Christ's Suffering and Proclamation"), Peter discusses Christ's suffering, death, and resurrection, followed by His proclamation to "spirits in prison" who were disobedient during Noah's day. The mention of Noah's ark, where "few, that is, eight souls were saved by water," directly precedes and sets up the analogy for baptism in verse 21. Peter uses this historical event as a **type** or **figure** (ἀντίτυπον, *antítypon*) to explain the spiritual reality of baptism, shifting from Christ's victory over spiritual forces to its implications for believers' salvation.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the Greco-Roman world, various ritual washings and purifications were common, often associated with mystery religions or cultic practices for cleansing from defilement. Jewish tradition also included ritual immersions (mikvah) for purification. Against this backdrop, early Christians adopted baptism as a distinctive rite of initiation. However, Peter is careful to distinguish Christian baptism from mere external rites. He emphasizes that its power is not inherent in the water or the act itself, but in the spiritual reality it signifies—a reality rooted in the death and resurrection of Christ. This distinction was crucial for early believers who might have been tempted to view baptism as a magical or automatic means of salvation, rather than a symbol of an internal spiritual transformation.

* **Key Themes:** This passage contributes to several overarching themes in 1 Peter. First, it reinforces the theme of **salvation through suffering and resurrection**, as seen in Christ's own journey and applied to the believer's experience. Second, it highlights the **spiritual nature of Christian life**, contrasting superficial external acts with genuine internal transformation, a theme echoed in Peter's calls for holy living and a pure conscience throughout the epistle (e.g., [1 Peter 1:15-16](/1_peter/1-15-16 "1 Peter 1:15-16 - Call to Holiness") and [1 Peter 2:16](/1_peter/2-16 "1 Peter 2:16 - Living as Free People")). Third, the analogy to Noah's ark underscores **God's judgment and salvation**, demonstrating His consistent pattern of preserving the righteous through seemingly destructive events. Finally, the emphasis on a "good conscience toward God" speaks to the theme of **ethical living and integrity** as an outflow of faith, which is a constant refrain in Peter's exhortations to his suffering audience.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Antitype (Greek, _antítypon'_):** This word, translated as "like figure whereunto," signifies a corresponding type or counterpart. In this context, Noah's salvation through the floodwaters is the "type," and Christian baptism is the "antitype." The antitype is not merely a copy but the fulfillment or spiritual reality to which the type pointed. Peter is asserting that while Noah's experience was a physical salvation through water, baptism is the spiritual reality that corresponds to it, offering salvation in a deeper, spiritual sense.
* **Answer (Greek, _eperṓtēma'_):** This term, translated as "answer," is crucial and has been subject to various interpretations. From its root, it means "an inquiry" or "a question." However, in a legal or covenantal context, it can refer to a "pledge," "appeal," or "solemn promise" made in response to an inquiry or demand. Here, it is best understood as a sincere appeal or commitment made from a good conscience to God, signifying a personal, conscious act of faith and dedication rather than a passive reception of a ritual.
* **Resurrection (Greek, _anástasis'_):** Meaning "a standing up again" or "resurrection from death," this word anchors the saving power of baptism not in the act itself, but in the historical and theological reality of Christ's triumph over death. It emphasizes that the efficacy of the spiritual reality signified by baptism—the cleansing of conscience and new life—is directly powered by and dependent upon the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is the resurrection that validates Christ's atoning work and makes new life possible for believers.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The like figure whereunto [even] baptism doth also now save us":** Peter introduces the core analogy, stating that baptism serves as the spiritual counterpart (antitype) to Noah's salvation through the flood. He asserts that this baptism "now saves us," immediately raising the question of how, which he then clarifies. The "now" emphasizes its present efficacy for believers.
* **"(not the putting away of the filth of the flesh,":** This parenthetical clause immediately clarifies what baptism *is not*. It is not a physical cleansing, like washing dirt from the body. Peter explicitly distinguishes Christian baptism from mere external ablutions, firmly rejecting any magical or automatic efficacy derived from the physical act itself.
* **"but the answer of a good conscience toward God,)":** This is the positive clarification of what baptism *is*. It is a spiritual act, an "answer" or "pledge" that originates from a "good conscience." This "good conscience" is one that has been purified and made right through faith in Christ, enabling the believer to make a sincere appeal or commitment to God. This phrase highlights the internal, volitional, and ethical dimension of baptism.
* **"by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:":** This final phrase identifies the ultimate source and power behind this saving reality. The "good conscience" and the salvation it signifies are not self-generated but are made possible "by" (διὰ, *diá* – through the channel of) the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christ's resurrection is the foundational event that validates His atoning work, secures victory over sin and death, and empowers the believer's new life and purified conscience.

#### Literary Devices
Peter masterfully employs several literary devices to convey his profound theological message. The primary device is **Typology**, where Noah's ark and the flood serve as a **type** (a historical event or person that foreshadows a future spiritual reality) and Christian baptism is the **antitype** (the fulfillment or corresponding spiritual reality). This analogy highlights God's consistent pattern of salvation through judgment and water. Peter also uses **Contrast** ("not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience") to sharply distinguish between the external, physical aspect of baptism and its true internal, spiritual significance. This clarifies that the saving power is not in the ritual itself but in the spiritual reality it represents. Finally, the use of a **Parenthetical Explanation** allows Peter to immediately qualify his statement about baptism saving, preventing misunderstanding and providing crucial theological precision within the flow of his argument.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
First Peter 3:21 profoundly shapes our understanding of Christian baptism, moving beyond a mere ritual to a deep theological reality. It asserts that baptism, as a public declaration, is intrinsically linked to an internal spiritual transformation—a conscience made right with God. This transformation is not achieved by human effort or ritualistic efficacy, but is entirely dependent upon the finished work of Christ, specifically His resurrection. The verse underscores that true salvation is a spiritual reality, a new relationship with God characterized by a cleansed conscience and a sincere commitment, all made possible through Christ's victory over sin and death. It serves as a powerful reminder that the outward sign points to an inward grace, rooted in the power of the risen Christ.

* [Romans 6:3-4](/romans/6-3-4 "Romans 6:3-4 - Buried and Raised with Christ")
* [Colossians 2:12](/colossians/2-12 "Colossians 2:12 - Buried and Raised with Him through Faith")
* [Titus 3:5](/titus/3-5 "Titus 3:5 - Washing of Regeneration and Renewal")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse challenges us to look beyond the external act of baptism to its profound spiritual meaning. It calls believers to understand baptism not as a magical charm or a mere tradition, but as a solemn and sincere pledge from a conscience made good by God's grace, empowered by Christ's resurrection. For those who have been baptized, it serves as a powerful reminder of the covenant they have entered into with God—a life lived with a clear conscience, striving for holiness and obedience, knowing that their salvation is secured by Christ's victory over death. For those considering baptism, it emphasizes the necessity of a genuine internal transformation and a conscious commitment to Christ, rather than simply going through the motions. Ultimately, it directs our gaze to the resurrection of Jesus Christ as the wellspring of all spiritual life and the foundation of our hope.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding baptism as "the answer of a good conscience toward God" deepen your appreciation for its significance?**
* **In what ways does this verse challenge any tendency to view religious rituals as inherently salvific apart from genuine faith and a transformed heart?**
* **How does the emphasis on "the resurrection of Jesus Christ" as the power behind salvation impact your daily walk and assurance?**
* **What does it mean practically to live with a "good conscience toward God" in your daily decisions and interactions?**

### FAQ

**Does this verse mean that baptism itself saves a person, or is it merely a symbol?**

Answer: Peter carefully clarifies that baptism "now saves us" but immediately qualifies this statement. He explicitly states it is "not the putting away of the filth of the flesh" (i.e., not a physical cleansing or a magical act), "but the answer of a good conscience toward God." This means the saving efficacy is not in the water or the ritual itself, but in the spiritual reality it signifies: a sincere, conscious appeal or pledge to God from a heart made right by faith. Baptism is the outward sign and public declaration of an inward spiritual transformation that has already occurred or is occurring. Its saving power is derived from its connection to the [resurrection of Jesus Christ](/1_peter/3-21 "1 Peter 3:21 - The Resurrection of Jesus Christ"), which is the true source of salvation. Thus, it is a symbol that powerfully participates in and testifies to the saving work of Christ, rather than being a standalone salvific act.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
First Peter 3:21, though speaking of baptism, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, particularly His resurrection. The "like figure" of Noah's ark, where a remnant was saved through water, foreshadows Christ's victory over sin and death, which is the true means of salvation. Just as Noah passed through judgment to new life, believers are united with Christ in His death and resurrection through baptism, symbolizing their passage from the old life of sin to a new life in Him. The "answer of a good conscience toward God" is only possible because Christ Himself, through His atoning sacrifice and glorious resurrection, has cleansed our consciences from dead works to serve the living God ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Cleansing of Conscience by Christ's Blood")). His resurrection is the power that overcomes sin and death, enabling believers to walk in newness of life ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Buried and Raised with Christ")). Therefore, baptism, as the outward sign, powerfully testifies to the believer's identification with the resurrected Christ, through whom alone salvation, a purified conscience, and eternal life are secured ([Colossians 2:12-13](/colossians/2-12-13 "Colossians 2:12-13 - Made Alive with Christ")).

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

Mark 16:16

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Ezekiel 36:25

¶ Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.

Ezekiel 36:26

A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

Acts 2:38

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Galatians 3:27

For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Acts 22:16

And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

Ephesians 5:26

That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,