The 'Spirits in Prison' in 1 Peter: A Reconsideration
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Dec 1, 2021Keywords:
1 Peter, spirits in prison, William J Dalton, Greek punctuation, Resurrection of JesusMain Article Content
Abstract
A reconsideration of the confusing ‘spirits in prison’ passage of 1 Peter 3:18–22 yields a new interpretation. It refers to those to whom Jesus appeared after his resurrection. Attention is given to the current consensus and the questions that remain about the passage and then to the previously overlooked punctuation. Re-punctuating the passage indicates that the ‘formerly disobedient’ refers to ‘former unbelievers’ and that these ‘spirits in prison’ are those former unbelievers to whom Jesus appeared after he was resurrected.
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