1 Peter 3:20 cpdv — who had been unbelieving in past times, while they waited for the patience of God, as in the days of Noah, when the ark…

Catholic Public Domain Version

"who had been unbelieving in past times, while they waited for the patience of God, as in the days of Noah, when the ark was being built. In that ark, a few, that is, eight souls, were saved by water. "

— 1 Peter 3:20, Catholic Public Domain Version

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1 Peter 3:20 in Other Translations

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1 Peter 3 — Context

17

For it is better to suffer for doing good, if it is the will of God, than for doing evil.

18

For Christ also died once for our sins, the Just One on behalf of the unjust, so that he might offer us to God, having died, certainly, in the flesh, but having been enlivened by the Spirit.

19

And in the Spirit, he preached to those who were in prison, going to those souls

20

who had been unbelieving in past times, while they waited for the patience of God, as in the days of Noah, when the ark was being built. In that ark, a few, that is, eight souls, were saved by water.

21

And now you also are saved, in a similar manner, by baptism, not by the testimony of sordid flesh, but by the examination of a good conscience in God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

22

He is at the right hand of God, devouring death, so that we may be made heirs to eternal life. And since he has journeyed to heaven, the Angels and powers and virtues are subject to him.

1 Peter 3:20 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does 1 Peter 3:20 say?
1 Peter 3:20 in the Catholic Public Domain Version reads: “who had been unbelieving in past times, while they waited for the patience of God, as in the days of Noah, when the ark was being built. In that ark, a few, that is, eight souls, were saved by water. ”
Where is 1 Peter 3:20 in the Bible?
1 Peter 3:20 is found in the New Testament, in the book of 1 Peter, chapter 3, verse 20.
Who wrote 1 Peter?
1 Peter is traditionally attributed to Peter the Apostle. It was written c. AD 62–64.
What is the book of 1 Peter about?
Peter writes to "elect exiles" suffering for their faith, anchoring them in a living hope, an incorruptible inheritance, and the example of Christ who suffered for them. The letter teaches believers how to live well as strangers in a hostile world.
What are the major themes of 1 Peter?
1 Peter explores themes including Suffering, Living Hope, Holiness, Submission, Shepherding. These themes shape the meaning and context of 1 Peter 3:20.
What translation should I read 1 Peter 3:20 in?
1 Peter 3:20 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize 1 Peter 3:20?
1 Peter 3:20 reads (CPDV): “who had been unbelieving in past times, while they waited for the patience of God, as in the days of Noah, when the ark was being built. In that ark, a few, that is, eight souls, were saved by water. ” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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