Bible Strands
1 Peter 3:21
And this water symbolizes the baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Peter writes to scattered believers, using the historical account in 1 Peter 3:20 to explain how Noah’s deliverance through water prefigures Christian baptism. He grounds this explanation in the present reality of Christ’s exaltation as described in 1 Peter 3:22.
The words — ἀντίτυπον (antitupon) = prefigures, and σῴζει (sōzei) = saving. The text states that the water prefigures the baptism that now saves believers, explicitly distinguishing this spiritual reality from mere physical cleansing.
The thread — This baptismal theme connects to Mark 16:16, Ezekiel 36:25, and Acts 2:38, where water imagery accompanies repentance, cleansing, and salvation.
Why it lands — The verse demands a pledge of a clear conscience toward God rather than ritual purity, locating the basis of salvation in Christ’s resurrection rather than human effort.
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
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:
Cross-references
- Mark 16:16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
- Ezekiel 36:25 I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols.
- Acts 2:38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
- Acts 22:16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized, and wash your sins away, calling on His name.’
- Galatians 3:27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
- Ephesians 5:26 to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,
- Romans 10:9 that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
- 1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
- Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
- 1 Corinthians 12:13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink.