1 Peter 3:20
What does 1 Peter 3:20 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Peter 3:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Peter 3:20 means
These imprisoned spirits were disobedient during the days of Noah, when God’s longsuffering delayed judgment while the ark was prepared. Only a few—eight souls—were saved “through water.” The flood both judged a corrupt world and, paradoxically, lifted the ark to safety. Peter recalls this to show that God’s patience has limits, judgment is real, and salvation often comes through trial. The minority saved highlights that truth is not measured by numbers. For Christians suffering as a small, pressured community, Noah’s story reassures: God remembers His own, even when they are few, and He saves in a way that displays His justice and mercy together, preparing for the imagery of baptism that follows.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000that aforetime were disobedient, when the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water:
KJV
King James Version · 1611Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901that aforetime were disobedient, when the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Who, in the days of Noah, went against God's orders; but God in his mercy kept back the punishment, while Noah got ready the ark, in which a small number, that is to say eight persons, got salvation through water:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862who sometime disbelieved, when once the long-suffering of God did wait, in days of Noah--an ark being preparing--in which few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Which had been some time incredulous, when they waited for the patience of God in the days of Noe, when the ark was a building: wherein a few, that is, eight souls, were saved by water.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890heretofore disobedient, when the longsuffering ofGod waited in [the] days of Noah while the ark was preparing, into which few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water:
Context
Verse 20 clarifies who the “spirits in prison” were—those disobedient in Noah’s time—and stresses God’s patience before judgment fell. The reference to “eight souls” saved through water sets up the typological connection in verse 21, where baptism is said to save “after a true likeness,” not by physical cleansing but by a conscience’s appeal to God through Jesus’ resurrection. This prepares for the triumphant close in verse 22, where Christ’s exaltation over all spiritual powers assures believers of final victory despite present minority status and suffering.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Peter 2:5
and spared not the ancient world, but preserved Noah with seven others, a preacher of righteousness, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly;
- Isaiah 30:18
And therefore will Jehovah wait, that he may be gracious unto you; and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for Jehovah is a God of justice; blessed are all they that wait for him.
- Hebrews 11:7
By faith Noah, being warned of God concerning things not seen as yet, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; through which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
- Genesis 6:5
And Jehovah saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
- Genesis 8:1
And God remembered Noah, and all the beasts, and all the cattle that were with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters assuaged;
- Genesis 7:13
In the selfsame day entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah’s wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, into the ark;
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