1 Peter 1:12

It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, when they foretold the things now announced by those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Peter writes to scattered believers, placing them at the terminus of a prophetic chain that began with the OT prophets and runs through the Spirit-sent gospel preachers. He is arguing that the prophets' service was directed at this audience, not at their own era.

The words — ἀπεκαλύφθη (apekaluphthē), "it was uncovered," carries the sense of a cover being pulled back rather than information merely transmitted. διηκόνουν (diēkonoun), "they were serving," is the same root as diakonos (deacon), making the prophets servants in the most literal lexical sense.

The thread — The Spirit sent from heaven echoes John 15:26; the Spirit revealing God's deep things to believers matches 1 Cor 2:10; and the disclosure to "rulers and authorities" in Eph 3:10 parallels the angelic desire to look into these things.

Why it lands — The verse tells the reader they are the object of prophetic labor and the target of angelic longing; what they hold is not a footnote to the prophets' story but its destination. It asks the reader to receive the gospel with that weight, not as a casual inheritance.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

Cross-references

John 15:26 When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father—He will testify about Me.
1 Corinthians 2:10 But God has revealed it to us by the Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.
Ephesians 3:10 His purpose was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,
Hebrews 11:39 These were all commended for their faith, yet they did not receive what was promised.
1 Peter 1:25 but the word of the Lord stands forever.” And this is the word that was proclaimed to you.
Mark 16:15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
Hebrews 4:2 For we also received the good news just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, since they did not share the faith of those who comprehended it.
Romans 15:19 by the power of signs and wonders, and by the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.
2 Corinthians 1:22 placed His seal on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a pledge of what is to come.
2 Corinthians 6:6 in purity, knowledge, patience, and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love;