What does it mean that Jesus 'preached to spirits' in Peter in the days He was dead before resurected?

Answer 1

Speaking of the time between Jesus’ death and resurrection, 1 Peter 3:19 declares, “…through whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison…” Who were these “spirits in prison,” why was Jesus preaching to them, and what was He preaching to them? As background, please read our article on “Where was Jesus for the three days between His death and resurrection?”



First, let’s look at the word “spirits.” It is from the Greek word “pneumasin,” a form of the word “pneuma,” which means “air, breath, wind.” It is used in the New Testament to refer to angels (Hebrews 1:14), demons (Mark 1:23), the spirit of Jesus (Matthew 27:50), and the Holy Spirit (John 14:17). While the Bible makes it clear that human beings have spirits (Hebrews 4:12), the Bible nowhere refers to human beings as “spirits.” We HAVE spirits, but ARE not spirits. God the Holy Spirit, angels, and demons do not HAVE spirits, they ARE spirits. So, the standard meaning of the word “spirits” in the phrase “spirits in prison” seems to argue for the spirits being something other than human beings.



If the “spirits in prison” are not the spirits of deceased human beings, and we know that the Holy Spirit is not imprisoned, and that God’s holy angels are not imprisoned, that leaves us with one option – the spirits in prison are demons. Now, it is clear that not all the demons are imprisoned. The New Testament gives countless examples of demonic activity. So, the spirits in prison must be a select group of demons who, unlike the rest of their demonic allies, were imprisoned.



What might be a possible reason for some, but not all, of the demons to be imprisoned? Jude verse 6 gives us an important clue, “And angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day.” Again, the New Testament makes it abundantly clear that not all of the demons are “bound with everlasting chains.” Jude verse 6 must, similarly to 1 Peter 3:19, be speaking of a select group of demons who sinned even more grievously against God.



What might this sin have been? Genesis 6:1-4 records the “sons of God” mating with the “daughters of men” and producing a race of giants, the Nephilim. With the interpretation that the sons of God were fallen angels (demons) who mated with human females – this is the most likely identity of the “spirits in prison” in 1 Peter 3:19. The demons who committed this sin were imprisoned by God to prevent them from recommitting this sin, and to discourage the other demons from participating in the sin. This interpretation is also supported by the fact that 1 Peter 3:20 mentions “the days of Noah,” and the sons of God incident occurred just prior to God sending the Flood in Noah’s time (Genesis chapter 6).



The “spirits in prison” mentioned in 1 Peter 3:19 were demons who sinned grievously against God by “abandoning their proper abode” (Jude verse 6) in the sons of God / daughters of men incident (Genesis 6:1-4). These spirits were put in prison as punishment for their wicked deeds, and to prevent further occurrences of such wicked and ungodly actions.
Recommended Resource: Angels: Elect & Evil by C. Fred Dickason.

Answer 2

I am not sure if anyone else has the same or similar beliefs. But I do know that in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we believe that after we die, depending on how our life was we don't go straight to Heaven or Hell. We go to a place of learning to learn more about Christ and what he did for us. We believe that after Christ died on the cross, that he did exactly that, he preached to spirits, that had already died.

It makes sense to me because I don't think it is fair to those who die without knowledge of God, or didn't get a fair chance to accept or reject Him.

Answer 3

I believe that refers to right after His death on the cross....where He then proceeded to release the spirits from sheol and into heaven with Him. Don't know for certain that this is the way it actually happened but....I'll ask Him when I get there soon.

The people who were faithful that came before Christ:

People like Moses, Abraham, David....etc.....

Answer 4

It is a reference to the Harrowing of Hell. Between his death and resurrection, Jesus was in Hell preaching the gospel and releasing the righteous.

Answer 5

Jesus wanted them to know that the rules had changed.

Answer 6

He went to hell and shoved a piece of his mind in Satan's face.

-My personal opinion.

Answer 7

It means that Paul was making crap up.