1 Peter 1:12 kjv

Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

1 Peter 1:12 nkjv

To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven?things which angels desire to look into.

1 Peter 1:12 niv

It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.

1 Peter 1:12 esv

It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.

1 Peter 1:12 nlt

They were told that their messages were not for themselves, but for you. And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen.

1 Peter 1 verses

1 Peter 1 12 Meaning

This verse illuminates the magnificent scope of God's redemptive plan, emphasizing that the Old Testament prophets, though revealing divine truth, did so primarily for a future audience—the believers in Peter's time and throughout the Christian age—rather than for their own full comprehension. The profound truths of Christ's sufferings and subsequent glory, dimly foreseen by the prophets, were then announced and fully unveiled to New Testament believers through Spirit-empowered evangelists. The unparalleled depth and wonder of this salvation are so extraordinary that even celestial beings, angels, intensely desire to scrutinize and understand it.

1 Peter 1 12 Context

This verse stands as a pinnacle of exposition in Peter's opening chapter, which aims to provide assurance and encouragement to scattered, suffering believers. Following his initial salutation and blessing for their "living hope" (v. 3), Peter delves into the source and magnitude of their salvation. Verses 10-11 speak of the Old Testament prophets earnestly searching and inquiring about "this salvation," particularly the "sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow." Verse 12 serves as the answer to that inquiry, explaining who the prophets were ultimately serving and how their prophesied message finally came to full fruition and proclamation. It emphasizes the privileged position of New Testament believers, who now possess the unveiled reality that the greatest prophets longed to fully understand. Historically, this declaration contrasted with Gnostic ideas prevalent in the Greco-Roman world, which often claimed secret, exclusive knowledge; Peter asserts that God’s saving truth, while once veiled, is now openly proclaimed by the Spirit, a truth so profound it captivates even angels.

1 Peter 1 12 Word analysis

• To them (οἷς - hois): Refers directly to the "prophets" mentioned in the preceding verse (1 Pet 1:10-11). It highlights that the recipient of the divine revelation was the prophet himself.
• it was revealed (ἀπεκαλύφθη - apekalyphthe): From apokalyptō, meaning "to unveil," "to uncover," "to disclose." This aorist passive verb indicates a divine act: God was the one who revealed the information to the prophets. The passive voice implies that the prophets were recipients of a revelation they did not generate themselves.
• that, not to themselves but to you: This crucial contrast underscores God's providential timing and the historical unfolding of salvation. The prophets were given visions and words not primarily for their immediate personal benefit or complete understanding, but as a deposit of truth intended for a future generation—specifically, the audience Peter is addressing, representing New Testament believers. This demonstrates God’s long-term plan across redemptive history.
• they were ministering (διηκόνουν - diēkonoun): Imperfect active of diakoneō, meaning "to serve," "to minister." The imperfect tense suggests an ongoing, habitual service. The prophets acted as conduits, tirelessly serving to transmit a divine message, even when its full implications were not clear to them. Their role was that of a servant bringing a message.
• the things that now have been announced to you (ταῦτα ... τὰ νῦν ἀνηγγελμένα ὑμῖν - tauta ... ta nyn anēggelmena hymin): Anēggelmena (announced/proclaimed) is a perfect passive participle of anaggellō, "to report, declare, proclaim." "Now" (νῦν - nyn) signifies the present reality and fulfillment. The prophecies concerning Christ’s sufferings and glory are no longer veiled but have been fully declared and made evident.
• through those who preached the good news to you (διὰ τῶν εὐαγγελισαμένων ὑμᾶς - dia tōn euangelisamenōn hymas): Euangelisamenōn is from euangelizomai, "to evangelize, preach the good news." This refers to the apostles and other Spirit-empowered evangelists who proclaimed the complete Gospel message (the death, resurrection, and glorification of Christ) after His ascension and the Spirit’s outpouring. They are the human agents in the immediate revelation of this truth.
• by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven (ἐν Πνεύματι Ἁγίῳ ἀποσταλέντι ἀπʼ οὐρανοῦ - en Pneumati Hagiō apostalenti ap' ouranou): This clause identifies the divine source and empowering agent of the preaching. The perfect passive participle apostalenti ("sent") highlights the Spirit's divine origin and commission directly from God the Father and the ascended Christ. The Spirit is essential to both the revelation to the prophets and the proclamation by the evangelists, guaranteeing divine authority and power behind the message.
• things into which angels long to look (εἰς ἃ ἐπιθυμοῦσιν ἄγγελοι παρακύψαι - eis ha epithymousin angeloi parakypthai):
  • Epithymousin (long for, earnestly desire, crave): Present active of epithymeō, indicating an ongoing, intense desire.
  • Parakýpsai (to bend over, to peer into/in, to look intently/closely): This imagery suggests straining to see or understand something, like one might stoop over to peer into a deep well or bend forward to look intently through a window. The angels are not merely observing passively but are intensely scrutinizing God’s redemptive plan unveiled in Christ and through the Church. This underscores the profound depth and wisdom of God’s plan of salvation, which surpasses even the comprehension of unfallen celestial beings.

Words-group analysis

• "To them it was revealed that, not to themselves but to you, they were ministering": This phrase highlights the profound stewardship of the prophets. They were privileged to receive divine revelation, but their ministry had a forward-looking dimension. The primary beneficiary of their prophesying was not their contemporary audience nor their own complete understanding, but the believers living in the Messianic era. This demonstrates God's intricate and unfolding plan across redemptive history, spanning centuries.
• "the things that now have been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven": This chain of communication shows the divine continuity and authority of the Gospel. From prophecies (v. 10-11), to revelation (v. 12a), to full historical manifestation in Christ, to apostolic preaching, the message maintains its divine origin. The Holy Spirit’s presence confirms the divine commissioning and power behind the New Testament proclamation, contrasting it with human wisdom or efforts. The "now" (νῦν) underlines the blessed reality that these prophesied truths are no longer veiled but openly declared and realized.
• "things into which angels long to look": This serves as an ultimate testimony to the incomprehensible glory and wisdom of God’s salvation plan. If holy angels, who dwell in God's presence and have perfect understanding, find the depths of God's redemptive work so compelling that they yearn to understand it more fully, how much more glorious and profound must it be for human believers who are its direct recipients? This emphasizes the extraordinary privilege and blessing bestowed upon humanity through Christ.

1 Peter 1 12 Bonus section

The verse establishes a significant distinction between two phases of revelation: the Old Covenant (through prophets, where truth was foretold) and the New Covenant (through apostles, where truth is fulfilled and fully proclaimed). This does not negate the Old Testament's value but shows its preparatory nature, much like a blueprint for a completed building. It implicitly stresses the unparalleled privilege of believers who live in the 'now' of salvation's fulfillment. Furthermore, the inclusion of angels emphasizes a cosmic dimension to God's plan, demonstrating that redemption is not merely a human story but part of God's wider display of His manifold wisdom for all creation, including the heavenly hosts (Eph 3:10). The angels' desire to peer into these truths hints that God's work in human salvation holds profound lessons even for eternal spiritual beings, revealing more of God's character than they might otherwise observe.

1 Peter 1 12 Commentary

1 Peter 1:12 unfolds the grand tapestry of salvation history, bridging the Old Testament and the New, and extending even to the celestial realm. The verse clarifies that the Old Testament prophets, under divine inspiration, ministered truths that transcended their immediate grasp, serving as vital conduits for a revelation meant primarily for subsequent generations of believers. These "things" — the full account of Christ's suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension, along with the resultant glories and blessings — were once shadowed by prophecy but have now been explicitly and powerfully declared. This announcement came through apostles and evangelists, not by human wit or eloquence, but directly "by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven," guaranteeing its divine authority and power. The extraordinary nature of this salvation is further magnified by the startling truth that even angels, celestial beings often viewed as superior in knowledge, demonstrate an eager, yearning curiosity to comprehend its depths. This should impress upon believers the inestimable privilege they have in experiencing this fully unveiled salvation, which merits deep gratitude, profound worship, and consecrated living in response.