OET interlinear 1 PET 3:21

3:21a

And: The Greek conjunction that the BSB translates as And here introduces a new thought on the same topic. In some languages it may be more natural to begin a new sentence here, as the BSB and some other versions do. For example:

And that water is a picture of baptism… (NLT)

this water symbolizes the baptism that now saves you also: Peter was saying that Noah’s flood pointed forward in some way to Christian baptism. There are various ways of expressing this:

which was a symbol pointing to baptism, which now saves you (GNT)

baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you (NRSV)

It is the baptism corresponding to this water which saves you now (NJB)

this water symbolizes the baptism: The Greek text that the BSB translates as this water symbolizes the baptism is literally “this/which is an antitype/symbol of baptism.” The BSB has supplied the word water. “This/which” can also be understood as referring to the whole experience of passing through the flood. This is implied by the NET (context is given), which says:

^20cIn the ark a few, that is eight souls, were delivered through water. ^21aAnd this prefigured baptism… (NET)

symbolizes: The Greek word that the BSB translates as symbolizes in this context refers to representing something that is still future. Consider how you might say that something represents or illustrates something else that has not happened yet. Some other ways symbolizes has been translated are:

is a picture of (NLT)

is like (NCV)

which corresponds to (RSV)

baptism: The word baptism refers to the ceremony of ritual washing to purify someone or something. It is connected to a person being purified from sin.

In translating this word, be sure to choose a term that is acceptable to all the churches in your area. Unless there is a term already in use by all churches, it may be better to borrow the word from Greek or your national language.

Here are some ways to translate baptism:

• Use a descriptive phrase:

  sacred washing

  purification/initiation for God

  entering water

• Use a term for a similar ritual that is already part of your culture. You may need to indicate that in this context it has a special connection with God. For example:

  God’s ceremonial bath

  initiation washing for God

• Use a term that is already accepted by the local churches. In some areas this term may have been borrowed from the national language or transliterated from Greek or English.

In some languages you may need to use a verb to translate baptism. For example:

ritually wash/clean

initiate people in/with water

purify people in God’s ceremonial bath

that now saves you also: The Greek word that the BSB translates as saves means to rescue someone from danger or trouble. In this context, saves is being used in a very general way. The act of receiving baptism does not directly save a person. Baptism is an outward symbol of what God does when he cleanses a person, raises him from spiritual death, and gives him new life.

Some other ways to translate saves include:

rescues

causes you to escape

3:21b

not the removal of dirt from the body: The phrase not the removal of dirt from the body means “baptism is not about removing dirt from your body.” Baptism was a form of ritual washing, but it was not the cleaning of the body that was important. Some other ways this phrase has been translated include:

not the washing of dirt from the body (NCV)

more than just washing your body (CEV)

3:21c

but: The Greek conjunction that the BSB translates as but introduces a contrast. Peter had just said in 3:21b what aspect of baptism was not important, and now in 3:31c he states what aspect of baptism is important. Translate this contrast in a way that is natural in your language.

the pledge of a clear conscience: The Greek word that the BSB translates as pledge literally means “request” or “appeal.” In this context it can mean “promise,” “appeal,” or “answer.” There are therefore several ways of understanding the Greek phrase that the BSB translates as the pledge of a clear conscience:

1. It means “asking for a clear conscience.” For example:

   an appeal to God for a clear conscience (RSV) (NASB, GW, RSV)

2. It means “making a promise from a clean conscience.” For example:

   the promise made to God from a good conscience (GNT) (NET, NCV, GNT; probably NJB, NIV)

3. It means “promising to live with a clear conscience.” This interpretation has the strongest support from biblical scholars.This understanding is suggested by Marshall page 131; Best page 148; Achtemeier page 270–272; Kelly page 163. It is a possible understanding of the NJB:

   the pledge of a good conscience (NJB) (possibly BSB, NIV, NJB)

4. It means “asking for salvation/forgiveness from a clear conscience.” For example:

   the appeal made to God from a good conscience (REB) (NLT, REB)

5. It means “responding from a clear conscience.” For example:

   the answer of a good conscience (KJV) (KJV, probably CEV)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). However, any of the interpretations are possible, and you may wish to consult the major language version in your area.

toward God: There are two ways of understanding the Greek phrase that the BSB translates as toward God:

1. It means toward God and modifies the phrase “good conscience.” For example:

   the pledge of a good conscience toward God (NIV) (BSB, NIV, KJV, GNT, NJB, CEV, NCV, REB, NET)

2. It means to God and modifies the word “pledge/appeal/answer.” For example:

   an appeal to God for a good conscience (NASB) (RSV, NLT, GW, NCV, NASB)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), which has more commentary support.

3:21d

through the resurrection of Jesus Christ: The BSB has associated this verse part with 3:21a by setting off 3:21b and 3:21c with dashes.

In this verse part Peter explained how being baptized could be said to save a person. It is because Jesus Christ has been raised from the dead that people who are baptized are saved.

the resurrection of Jesus Christ: The phrase the resurrection refers to the event when God caused Jesus to live again. Some other ways resurrection can be translated are:

rise from the dead

come alive from the dead

God caused…to live again