King James Version
1 Peter 3:19 in the King James Version says “By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;” — study this verse from 1 Peter chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.
“By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;”
1 Peter 3:19 · KJV
For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
Which 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.
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 Study — Public Domain
“also”
G2532and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
“prison”
G5438a guarding or (concretely, guard), the act, the person; figuratively, the place, the condition, or (specially), the time (as a division of day or nigh
“unto the spirits”
G4151a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin
“he went”
G4198to traverse, i.e., travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively, die), live, etc.)
“and preached”
G2784to herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth (the gospel)
This verse is found in the book of 1 Peter. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
1 Peter 3:19 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to 1 Peter 3:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge