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.
1 PETER 3:20KJVWhat does 1 Peter 3:20 mean?
1 Peter 3:20 describes how, in the days of Noah, God patiently waited while the ark was being built, even though people were disobedient, and only a few—eight people—were saved through the water. The verse highlights both God’s patience and the small number who responded during a time of widespread disobedience.
Peter is writing to early Christians, reminding them of a time when most people ignored God’s warnings, but God still gave them time before judgment came. The mention of Noah’s family being saved “by water” sets up a comparison to Christian baptism in the next verse, showing how God can use even judgment as a means of rescue for those who trust Him.
The Greek behind 1 Peter 3:20
- “longsuffering” (μακροθυμία, makrothymia): This word means patience or forbearance, and here it emphasizes how God gave people time to turn back before the flood, not acting in haste.
- “few” (ὀλίγος, oligos): The Greek word stresses how very small the group was—just eight people—making the contrast with the rest of the world’s disobedience even sharper.
- “saved by water” (δι’ ὕδατος, di’ hydatos): The phrase means “through water,” pointing out that the same water that judged the world also lifted the ark and saved Noah’s family, showing both judgment and rescue in one event.
Why 1 Peter 3:20 matters
- 1 Peter 3:20 clarifies that God’s patience has limits, but He gives real opportunities for people to respond before judgment comes.
- The verse connects the story of Noah to the experience of Peter’s readers, encouraging them that even if they feel like a small minority, God notices and saves those who trust Him.
- By mentioning being “saved by water,” Peter sets up a link to baptism, helping readers see how Old Testament events can point to deeper spiritual truths in the Christian faith.