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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Peter 3:19 in whom He also went and preached to the spirits in prison</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_peter/3-19.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/60_1Pe_03_19.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Peter 3:19 - Suffering for Righteousness" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="in whom He also went and preached to the spirits in prison" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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<a href="/nkjv/1_peter/3.htm">New King James Version</a> by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, <a href="/nasb_/1_peter/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> in which He also went and made proclamation to the spirits in prison, <a href="/nasb/1_peter/3.htm">NASB 1995</a> in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison, <a href="/nasb77/1_peter/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a> in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison, <a href="/lsb/1_peter/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison, <a href="/amp/1_peter/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a> in which He also went and preached to the spirits now in prison, <a href="/csb/1_peter/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> in which he also went and made proclamation to the spirits in prison <a href="/hcsb/1_peter/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> In that state He also went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison <a href="/asv/1_peter/3.htm">American Standard Version</a> in which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison, <a href="/cev/1_peter/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Christ then preached to the spirits that were being kept in prison. <a href="/erv/1_peter/3.htm">English Revised Version</a> in which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison, <a href="/gwt/1_peter/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> In it he also went to proclaim his victory to the spirits kept in prison. <a href="/gnt/1_peter/3.htm">Good News Translation</a> and in his spiritual existence he went and preached to the imprisoned spirits. <a href="/isv/1_peter/3.htm">International Standard Version</a> in which he went and made a proclamation to those imprisoned spirits <a href="/msb/1_peter/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> in whom He also went and preached to the spirits in prison <a href="/net/1_peter/3.htm">NET Bible</a> In it he went and preached to the spirits in prison, <a href="/nheb/1_peter/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> in which he also went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, <a href="/wbt/1_peter/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> By which also he went and preached to the spirits in prison; <a href="/wey/1_peter/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> in which He also went and proclaimed His Message to the spirits that were in prison, <a href="/web/1_peter/3.htm">World English Bible</a> in whom he also went and preached to the spirits in prison, <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_peter/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> by which, having gone, He also preached to the spirits in prison, <a href="/blb/1_peter/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> in which also having gone, He preached to the spirits in prison <a href="/ylt/1_peter/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> in which also to the spirits in prison having gone he did preach, <a href="/slt/1_peter/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> In which also having gone, he proclaimed to the spirits in prison;<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_peter/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> In which also coming he preached to those spirits that were in prison: <a href="/cpdv/1_peter/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And in the Spirit, he preached to those who were in prison, going to those souls <a href="/nabre/1_peter/3.htm">New American Bible</a> In it he also went to preach to the spirits in prison, <a href="/nrsvce/1_peter/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison,<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_peter/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And he preached to the souls imprisoned in Sheol; <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/1_peter/3.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And he preached to those souls who were held in Sheol,<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/1_peter/3.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> in which also he went and preached to the spirits in prison, <a href="/godbey/1_peter/3.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> by which also having gone he proclaimed to the spirits in prison; <a href="/haweis/1_peter/3.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> by which also he went and preached to those spirits imprisoned; <a href="/mace/1_peter/3.htm">Mace New Testament</a> by which he went with guardian spirits to preach to <a href="/wey/1_peter/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> in which He also went and proclaimed His Message to the spirits that were in prison, <a href="/worrell/1_peter/3.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> in Whom, also, going, He preached to the spirits in prison, <a href="/worsley/1_peter/3.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> by which also He went and preached to the spirits now in prison; <a href="/parallel/1_peter/3-19.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1h9-AlUcaGE?start=666" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/1_peter/3.htm">Suffering for Righteousness</a> …18For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit, 19<a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">in</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: hō (RelPro-DNS) -- Who, which, what, that. ">whom</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/4198.htm" title="4198: poreutheis (V-APP-NMS) -- To travel, journey, go, die. ">He also went</a> <a href="/greek/2784.htm" title="2784: ekēryxen (V-AIA-3S) -- To proclaim, herald, preach. Of uncertain affinity; to herald, especially divine truth.">and preached</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tois (Art-DNP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">to the</a> <a href="/greek/4151.htm" title="4151: pneumasin (N-DNP) -- Wind, breath, spirit. ">spirits</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">in</a> <a href="/greek/5438.htm" title="5438: phylakē (N-DFS) -- From phulasso; a guarding or, the act, the person; figuratively, the place, the condition, or, the time, literally or figuratively.">prison</a> 20who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In the ark a few people, only eight souls, were saved through water.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/ephesians/4-8.htm">Ephesians 4:8-10</a> This is why it says: “When He ascended on high, He led captives away, and gave gifts to men.” / What does “He ascended” mean, except that He also descended to the lower parts of the earth? / He who descended is the very One who ascended above all the heavens, in order to fill all things. <a href="/jude/1-6.htm">Jude 1:6</a> And the angels who did not stay within their own domain but abandoned their proper dwelling—these He has kept in eternal chains under darkness, bound for judgment on that great day. <a href="/genesis/6-1.htm">Genesis 6:1-4</a> Now when men began to multiply on the face of the earth and daughters were born to them, / the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful, and they took as wives whomever they chose. / So the LORD said, “My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days shall be 120 years.” ... <a href="/2_peter/2-4.htm">2 Peter 2:4-5</a> For if God did not spare the angels when they sinned, but cast them deep into hell, placing them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment; / if He did not spare the ancient world when He brought the flood on its ungodly people, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, among the eight; <a href="/colossians/2-15.htm">Colossians 2:15</a> And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. <a href="/matthew/12-40.htm">Matthew 12:40</a> For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. <a href="/john/5-25.htm">John 5:25</a> Truly, truly, I tell you, the hour is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. <a href="/romans/10-7.htm">Romans 10:7</a> or, ‘Who will descend into the Abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).” <a href="/revelation/1-18.htm">Revelation 1:18</a> the Living One. I was dead, and behold, now I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of Death and of Hades. <a href="/hebrews/2-14.htm">Hebrews 2:14-15</a> Now since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity, so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil, / and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. <a href="/isaiah/61-1.htm">Isaiah 61:1</a> The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners, <a href="/luke/16-22.htm">Luke 16:22-23</a> One day the beggar died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. And the rich man also died and was buried. / In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham from afar, with Lazarus by his side. <a href="/acts/2-31.htm">Acts 2:31</a> Foreseeing this, David spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that He was not abandoned to Hades, nor did His body see decay. <a href="/1_timothy/3-16.htm">1 Timothy 3:16</a> By common confession, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the nations, was believed in throughout the world, was taken up in glory. <a href="/psalms/68-18.htm">Psalm 68:18</a> You have ascended on high; You have led captives away. You have received gifts from men, even from the rebellious, that the LORD God may dwell there.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>By which also he went and preached to the spirits in prison;By which.<a href="/1_peter/1-11.htm">1 Peter 1:11,12</a> Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow… <a href="/1_peter/4-6.htm">1 Peter 4:6</a> For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.<a href="/nehemiah/9-30.htm">Nehemiah 9:30</a> Yet many years didst thou forbear them, and testifiedst against them by thy spirit in thy prophets: yet would they not give ear: therefore gavest thou them into the hand of the people of the lands.in.<a href="/isaiah/42-7.htm">Isaiah 42:7</a> To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.<a href="/isaiah/49-9.htm">Isaiah 49:9</a> That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places.<a href="/isaiah/61-1.htm">Isaiah 61:1</a> The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_peter/3-1.htm">Message</a> <a href="/2_timothy/4-2.htm">Preach</a> <a href="/1_peter/1-25.htm">Preached</a> <a href="/titus/1-3.htm">Preaching</a> <a href="/hebrews/13-3.htm">Prison</a> <a href="/1_peter/1-25.htm">Proclaimed</a> <a href="/titus/1-3.htm">Proclamation</a> <a href="/james/5-13.htm">Spirits</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_john/1-5.htm">Message</a> <a href="/revelation/14-6.htm">Preach</a> <a href="/1_peter/4-6.htm">Preached</a> <a href="/genesis/4-26.htm">Preaching</a> <a href="/revelation/2-10.htm">Prison</a> <a href="/1_peter/4-6.htm">Proclaimed</a> <a href="/exodus/32-5.htm">Proclamation</a> <a href="/1_john/4-1.htm">Spirits</a><div class="vheading2">1 Peter 3</div>1. <a href="/1_peter/3-1.htm">He teaches the duty of wives and husbands to each other;</a> 8. <a href="/1_peter/3-8.htm">exhorting all men to unity and love;</a> 14. <a href="/1_peter/3-14.htm">and to suffer persecution.</a> 19. <a href="/1_peter/3-19.htm">He declares also the benefits of Christ toward the old world.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_peter/3.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_peter/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_peter/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>in whom This phrase refers to Jesus Christ, emphasizing His divine nature and authority. The context of <a href="/1_peter/3-18.htm">1 Peter 3:18-22</a> highlights Christ's suffering, death, and resurrection, underscoring His victory over sin and death. The phrase "in whom" connects to the preceding verse, which speaks of Christ being made alive in the spirit, indicating His spiritual authority and power.He also went This suggests a deliberate action taken by Christ. The concept of "going" implies movement from one place to another, which in this context is understood as a spiritual journey. This action is often interpreted as occurring between Christ's death and resurrection, a time when He was active in the spiritual realm.and preached The term "preached" here is often understood as proclaiming or announcing. It is not necessarily evangelistic in the sense of offering salvation, but rather a declaration of victory and authority. This proclamation is seen as a fulfillment of Christ's triumph over evil, aligning with <a href="/colossians/2-15.htm">Colossians 2:15</a>, which speaks of Christ disarming the powers and authorities.to the spirits The "spirits" are generally interpreted as beings in the spiritual realm. There is debate over whether these spirits are human souls or fallen angels. The context and language suggest these are not the souls of the righteous, but rather those who are in a state of confinement, possibly referring to the "sons of God" mentioned in <a href="/genesis/6.htm">Genesis 6:1-4</a>.in prison The "prison" is understood as a place of confinement in the spiritual realm. This is not a physical location but a state of being for these spirits. The concept of a spiritual prison aligns with Jewish traditions and other biblical references, such as <a href="/jude/1-6.htm">Jude 1:6</a>, which speaks of angels kept in eternal chains. This phrase emphasizes the authority of Christ over all spiritual realms, including those in rebellion against God.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The central figure in this passage, who, after His crucifixion, is described as having gone to preach to the "spirits in prison." 2. <a href="/topical/s/spirits_in_prison.htm">Spirits in Prison</a> This phrase is often interpreted to refer to the disobedient spirits or souls who were in a state of confinement or waiting, possibly those who lived during the time of Noah. 3. <a href="/topical/n/noah's_time.htm">Noah's Time</a> The context of the passage suggests a connection to the time of Noah, a period characterized by widespread disobedience and the subsequent judgment of the flood. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_resurrection.htm">The Resurrection</a> The broader context of <a href="/bsb/1_peter/3.htm">1 Peter 3</a> speaks to the resurrection of Jesus, which is pivotal to understanding His authority and power over all spiritual realms. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_flood.htm">The Flood</a> An event that serves as a backdrop for understanding the disobedience of the spirits and the subsequent judgment, highlighting God's righteousness and justice.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/c/christ's_victory_over_sin_and_death.htm">Christ's Victory Over Sin and Death</a> Jesus' proclamation to the spirits signifies His victory over sin and death, affirming His authority over all creation, both seen and unseen. <a href="/topical/t/the_reality_of_spiritual_realms.htm">The Reality of Spiritual Realms</a> This passage reminds believers of the existence of spiritual realms and the ongoing spiritual battle, encouraging vigilance and faithfulness. <a href="/topical/g/god's_righteous_judgment.htm">God's Righteous Judgment</a> The reference to Noah's time underscores God's righteous judgment against sin, serving as a warning and a call to repentance. <a href="/topical/h/hope_in_christ's_resurrection.htm">Hope in Christ's Resurrection</a> Believers can find hope in the resurrection of Christ, which assures us of our future resurrection and eternal life with Him. <a href="/topical/p/proclamation_of_the_gospel.htm">Proclamation of the Gospel</a> Just as Christ proclaimed victory, believers are called to proclaim the gospel, sharing the hope and truth of salvation with others.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_peter_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Peter 3</a> <a href="/q/evidence_for_jesus_preaching_to_spirits.htm">In 1 Peter 3:19, what evidence supports the claim that Jesus actually preached to “spirits in prison,” and who were these spirits? </a> <a href="/q/who_are_the_spirits_in_prison.htm">Who are the spirits in prison mentioned in scripture?</a> <a href="/q/where_was_jesus_after_his_death.htm">Where was Jesus during the three days after His death?</a> <a href="/q/is_there_a_second_chance_for_salvation.htm">Is there a second chance for salvation?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_peter/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(19) By which.--If "by the Spirit" had been right in the former verse, this translation might have stood here, though the word is literally in; for "in" is often used to mean "in the power of," "on the strength of:" e.g., <a href="/romans/8-15.htm" title="For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but you have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.">Romans 8:15</a>. But as that former rendering is untenable, we must here keep strictly to in which--i.e., in spirit. This might mean either of two things: (1) "spiritually speaking," "so far as thought and sympathy goes," as, for instance, <a href="/1_corinthians/5-3.htm" title="For I truly, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that has so done this deed,">1Corinthians 5:3</a>, <a href="/colossians/2-5.htm" title=" For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, rejoicing and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.">Colossians 2:5</a>; or else (2) "in spirit," as opposed to "in the body"--i.e., "out of the body" (<a href="/2_corinthians/12-2.htm" title="I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knows;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.">2Corinthians 12:2</a>; comp. <a href="/revelation/1-10.htm" title="I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,">Revelation 1:10</a>), as a disembodied spirit. We adopt the latter rendering without hesitation, for reasons which will be clearer in the next Note.He went and preached unto the spirits in prison.--There are two main ways of interpreting this mysterious passage. (1) The spirits are understood as being now in prison, in consequence of having rejected His preaching to them while they were still on earth. According to this interpretation--which has the support of such names as Pearson, Hammond, Barrow, and Leighton (though he afterwards modified his opinion). among ourselves, besides divers great theologians of other countries, including St. Thomas Aquinas on the one hand and Beza on the other--it was "in spirit," i.e., mystically speaking, our Lord Himself who, in and through the person of Noah, preached repentance to the old world. Thus the passage is altogether dissociated from the doctrine of the descent into hell; and the sense (though not the Greek) would be better expressed by writing, He had gone and preached unto the spirits (now) in prison. In this case, however, it is difficult to see the purpose of the digression, or what could have brought the subject into St. Peter's mind. (2) The second interpretation--which is that of (practically) all the Fathers, and of Calvin, Luther (finally), Bellarmine, Bengel, and of most modern scholars--refers the passage to what our Lord did while His body was dead. This is the most natural construction to put upon the words "in which also" (i.e., in spirit). It thus gives point to the saying that He was "quickened in spirit," which would otherwise be left very meaningless. The "spirits" here will thus correspond with "in spirit" there. It is the only way to assign any intelligible meaning to the words "He went and" to suppose that He "went" straight from His quickening in spirit--i.e., from His death. It is far the most natural thing to suppose that the spirits were in prison at the time when Christ went and preached to them. We take it, then, to mean that, directly Christ's human spirit was disengaged from the body, He gave proof of the new powers of purely spiritual action thus acquired by going off to the place, or state, in which other disembodied spirits were (who would have been incapable of receiving direct impressions from Him had He not Himself been in the purely spiritual condition), and conveyed to them certain tidings: He "preached" unto them. What was the substance of this preaching we are not here told, the word itself (which is not the same as, e.g., in <a href="/1_peter/1-25.htm" title="But the word of the Lord endures for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached to you.">1Peter 1:25</a>) only means to publish or proclaim like a crier or herald; and as the spirits are said to have been disobedient and in prison, some have thought that Christ went to proclaim to them the certainty of their damnation! The notion has but to be mentioned to be rejected with horror; but it may be pointed out also that in <a href="/1_peter/4-6.htm" title="For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.">1Peter 4:6</a>, which refers back to this passage, it is distinctly called a "gospel;" and it would be too grim to call that a gospel which (in Calvin's words) "made it more clear and patent to them that they were shut out from all salvation!" He brought good tidings, therefore, of some kind to the "prison" and the spirits in it. And this "prison" must not be understood (with Bp. Browne, Articles, p. 95) as merely "a place of safe keeping," where good spirits might be as well as bad, though etymologically this is imaginable. The word occurs thirty-eight times in the New Testament in the undoubted sense of a "prison," and not once in that of a place of protection, though twice (<a href="/revelation/18-2.htm" title="And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.">Revelation 18:2</a>) it is used in the derived sense of "a cage." . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_peter/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 19. - By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; rather, in which (εν ω΅ι). The Lord was no longer in the flesh; the component parts of his human nature were separated by death; his flesh lay in the grave. As he had gone about doing good in the flesh, so now he went in the spirit - in his holy human spirit. He went. The Greek word (πορευθείς) occurs again in ver. 22, "who is gone into heaven." It must have the same meaning in both places; in ver. 22 it asserts a change of locality; it must do the like here. There it is used of the ascent into heaven; it can scarcely mean here that, without any such change of place, Christ preached, not in his own Person, but through Noah or the apostles. Compare St. Paul's words in <a href="/ephesians/4-9.htm">Ephesians 4:9</a> (the Epistle which seems to have been so much in St. Peter's thoughts), "Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?" And preached (ἐκήρυξεν). It is the word constantly used of the Lord from the time when "Jesus began to preach (κηρύσσειν), and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (<a href="/matthew/4-17.htm">Matthew 4:17</a>). Then, himself in our human flesh, he preached to men living in the flesh - to a few of his own age and country. Now the range of his preaching was extended; himself in the spirit, he preached to spirits: "Πνεύματι πνεύμασι; spiritu, spiritibus." says Bengel; "congruens sermo." He preached also to the spirits; not only once to living men, but now also to spirits, even to them. The καί calls for attention; it implies a new and additional fact; it emphasizes the substantive (καὶ τοῖς πνεύμασιν). The preaching and the condition of the hearers are mentioned together; they were spirits when they heard the preaching. It seems impossible to understand these words of preaching through Noah or the apostles to men who passed afterwards into the state of disembodied spirits. And he preached in the spirit. The words seem to limit the preaching to the time when the Lord's soul was left in Hades (<a href="/acts/2-27.htm">Acts 2:27</a>). Huther, indeed, says that "as both expressions (θανατωθείς and ζωσοποιηθείς) apply to Christ in his entire Person, consisting of body and soul, what follows must not be conceived as an activity which he exercised in his spirit only, and whilst separated from his body." But does θανατωθείς apply to body and soul? Men "are not able to kill the soul." And is it true, as Huther continues, that the first words of this verse are not opposed to the view that Christ preached in his glorified body, "inasmuch as in this body the Lord is no longer ἐν σαρκί, but entirely ἐν πνεύματι? Indeed, we are taught that "flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; "and that that which "is sown a natural body is raised a spiritual body" (σῶμα πνευματικόν); but Christ himself said of his resurrection-body, "A spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have" (<a href="/luke/24-39.htm">Luke 24:39</a>). He preached to "the spirits in prison (ἐν φυλακῇ)." (For φυλακή, comp. <a href="/revelation/20-7.htm">Revelation 20:7</a>; <a href="/matthew/5-25.htm">Matthew 5:25</a>, etc.). It cannot mean the whole realm of the dead, but only that part of Hades in which the souls of the ungodly are reserved unto the day of judgment. Bengel says, "In carcere puniuntur sontes: in custodia servantur, dum experiantur quid facturus sit judex?" But it seems doubtful whether this distinction between φυλακή and δεσμωτήριον can be pressed; in <a href="/revelation/20-7.htm">Revelation 20:7</a> φυλακή is used of the prison of Satan, though, indeed, that prison is not the ἄβυσσος into which he will be cast at the last. <a href="/commentaries/1_peter/3-19.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>in ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. which ᾧ (hō) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Dative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3739.htm">Strong's 3739: </a> Who, which, what, that. He also went πορευθεὶς (poreutheis) Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4198.htm">Strong's 4198: </a> To travel, journey, go, die. [and] preached ἐκήρυξεν (ekēryxen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2784.htm">Strong's 2784: </a> To proclaim, herald, preach. Of uncertain affinity; to herald, especially divine truth. to the τοῖς (tois) Article - Dative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. spirits πνεύμασιν (pneumasin) Noun - Dative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4151.htm">Strong's 4151: </a> Wind, breath, spirit. in ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. prison φυλακῇ (phylakē) Noun - Dative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5438.htm">Strong's 5438: </a> From phulasso; a guarding or, the act, the person; figuratively, the place, the condition, or, the time, literally or figuratively. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_peter/3-19.htm">1 Peter 3:19 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_peter/3-19.htm">1 Peter 3:19 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_peter/3-19.htm">1 Peter 3:19 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_peter/3-19.htm">1 Peter 3:19 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_peter/3-19.htm">1 Peter 3:19 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_peter/3-19.htm">1 Peter 3:19 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_peter/3-19.htm">1 Peter 3:19 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_peter/3-19.htm">1 Peter 3:19 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_peter/3-19.htm">1 Peter 3:19 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_peter/3-19.htm">1 Peter 3:19 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_peter/3-19.htm">NT Letters: 1 Peter 3:19 In which he also went and preached (1 Pet. 1P iP i Pet) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_peter/3-18.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Peter 3:18"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Peter 3:18" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_peter/3-20.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Peter 3:20"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Peter 3:20" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>