Peter now reminded his readers of the consequences of Jesus" response to unjustified persecution. He did so to strengthen their resolve to rededicate themselves to follow God"s will wholeheartedly and confidently. He also wanted to assure them of their ultimate triumph in Christ. [source][source][source]1 Peter 3:18-22 contain some very difficult exegetical problems. Who are the spirits who received a proclamation ( 1 Peter 3:19)? When did Jesus make this proclamation? What was its content? Why did Peter mention Noah? In what sense does baptism save us?[source]
One group of interpreters believes Jesus went to the realm of the dead and preached to Noah"s contemporaries between His crucifixion and His resurrection. [1] Some of these say He extended an offer of salvation to them. Others feel He announced condemnation to the unbelievers. Still others hold that He announced good news to the saved among them. [source][source][source]
A second group believes Jesus preached to Noah"s sinful generation while Noah was living on the earth. They see Him doing so through Noah. [source][source][source]
A third group holds that Jesus proclaimed His victory on the cross to fallen angels. Some advocates of this view say this took place in hell between His crucifixion and His resurrection. Others believe it happened during His ascension to heaven. [source][source][source]
I shall discuss these views in the exposition to follow. [source][source][source]
In 1 Peter 2:21-25 Peter mentioned Jesus" behavior during His passion ( 1 Peter 2:21-23), His death on the cross ( 1 Peter 2:24 a), and His present ministry as the Shepherd and Guardian of our souls ( 1 Peter 2:24-25). In 1 Peter 3:18-22 he cited Jesus" resurrection and ascension into glory, the "missing links" in the previous record of Jesus" experiences. Peter proceeded to explain the significance of Jesus" resurrection and exaltation not only for believers but also for the whole universe. Whereas the previous example of Jesus stressed the way He suffered while doing good, this one emphasizes the theme of Jesus" vindication, which is major in1Peter following the quotation of Psalm 34in 1 Peter 3:10-12. [source][source][source]