1 Peter 1:19 kjv

But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

1 Peter 1:19 nkjv

but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

1 Peter 1:19 niv

but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

1 Peter 1:19 esv

but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

1 Peter 1:19 nlt

It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.

1 Peter 1 verses

1 Peter 1 19 Meaning

1 Peter 1:19 declares that believers are redeemed, not by fleeting material possessions, but by the incomparably valuable and pure sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. This verse portrays Christ as the ultimate and sinless "Lamb" whose shed blood constitutes the sole, perfect means of atonement and liberation from the futility of human existence. It emphasizes the profound cost and unblemished perfection of the savior provided by God.

1 Peter 1 19 Context

This verse forms part of a larger discussion about the nature of the Christian's redemption and the implications for holy living. In 1 Peter 1:18, the apostle contrasts redemption from "futile ways" not with corruptible things like silver or gold. Verse 19 then immediately provides the divine alternative: the "precious blood of Christ." The surrounding verses (1:17-21) highlight God as Father, the fear of Him in our temporary dwelling, and the ultimate hope and faith placed in God, who raised Christ and gave Him glory. Historically, Peter addresses scattered believers in Asia Minor, a mixed audience of Jewish and Gentile Christians facing societal pressures or persecution. The language used, particularly the imagery of a spotless lamb, would resonate deeply with those familiar with the Old Testament sacrificial system, framing Christ's death as the ultimate, final fulfillment of those types and shadows, providing an enduring redemption far superior to anything earthly or animalistic. It indirectly confronts any human attempts at self-salvation or placing ultimate trust in wealth.

1 Peter 1 19 Word analysis

• but (ἀλλά, alla): A strong adversative conjunction, indicating a sharp contrast and emphasizing the exclusive nature of what follows compared to the corruptible things mentioned in the preceding verse. It dramatically shifts focus from earthly futility to divine perfection.
• with the precious (τιμίῳ, timio): This word signifies something of immense worth, honor, and rarity. It elevates the value of Christ's sacrifice beyond any conceivable earthly price, indicating that it is invaluable and utterly unique.
• blood (αἵματι, haimati): In biblical context, particularly sacrificial, "blood" represents life offered, life given in death for atonement (Lev 17:11). It's not merely a physical fluid but encapsulates Christ's complete, vicarious, and atoning sacrifice on the cross, His laying down of life.
• of Christ (Χριστοῦ, Christou): Identifies the redeemer as the Messiah, the Anointed One of God, fulfilling divine prophecy and purpose. It underscores His unique role and divine authority in bringing about salvation.
• as of a lamb (ὡς ἀμνοῦ, hōs amnou): This simile directly invokes significant Old Testament imagery, particularly the Passover lamb (Exod 12) and the lambs used in various temple sacrifices. It immediately conveys ideas of innocence, purity, vicarious suffering, and propitiation for sin.
• without blemish (ἀμώμου, amōmou): This term means faultless, unblemished, perfect, especially regarding physical perfection for sacrificial animals. The Old Testament law strictly required sacrifices to be "without blemish" (e.g., Lev 1:3). Applied to Christ, it denotes His moral and spiritual perfection and absolute sinlessness, making Him the only acceptable sacrifice for a holy God.
• and without spot (καὶ ἀσπίλου, kai aspilou): Reinforces "without blemish," emphasizing a complete absence of any moral or spiritual stain, flaw, or defilement. It underscores Christ's intrinsic purity and undefiled nature, confirming His suitability as the unique and perfect sin-bearer.

Words-group analysis:

• "precious blood of Christ": This phrase emphasizes the immeasurable worth and unique salvific power of Christ's sacrificial death. It highlights that the redemption achieved is of divine origin and eternal value, unlike anything earthly.
• "lamb without blemish and without spot": This composite image powerfully portrays Jesus as the ideal, divinely ordained sacrifice. It confirms His absolute purity and sinlessness, making Him the perfect fulfillment of all Old Testament sacrificial types, uniquely qualified to bear the sins of humanity.

1 Peter 1 19 Bonus section

• The concept of "redemption" (lutrosis in Greek) in this context specifically refers to "being set free by paying a ransom" or "purchased." It implies that humanity was in bondage (to sin, to futile traditions, to spiritual death), and Christ's blood paid the necessary price for liberation, marking a definite end to the old state and a beginning of a new one.
• This verse firmly establishes the doctrine of substitutionary atonement, where a sinless being (the Lamb) takes the place of sinful humanity, offering himself as the perfect payment for sin.
• The "once for all" nature of Christ's sacrifice is implied in its perfection; unlike the repeated animal sacrifices under the Old Covenant, Christ's singular, spotless offering needed no repetition (Heb 9:26, 10:10).
• The holiness of God demands a perfect sacrifice, which highlights Christ's divine nature and capacity to meet this ultimate requirement. The perfections attributed to the Lamb (without blemish, without spot) are inherent qualities of the Son of God Himself.

1 Peter 1 19 Commentary

1 Peter 1:19 is a cornerstone verse, elucidating the profound basis of Christian redemption. Peter intentionally contrasts "corruptible things like silver or gold" (v. 18) with the ultimate price of salvation: "the precious blood of Christ." This distinction is paramount, emphasizing that human wealth or achievements are utterly inadequate to address humanity's spiritual bondage. The term "precious" underscores the immense, inestimable value of Christ's sacrifice—it is unparalleled and infinitely more valuable than any earthly commodity. The imagery of Christ "as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" is richly layered, drawing directly from the Old Testament sacrificial system. It evokes the Passover lamb, whose blood provided salvation from judgment for the Israelites, and the meticulous requirements for animals offered as sin or burnt offerings, which had to be perfectly sound. This imagery unequivocally affirms Jesus's absolute moral and spiritual perfection and sinlessness (Heb 4:15, 2 Cor 5:21), making Him the only acceptable and effective atoning sacrifice to a holy God. His pure life, surrendered on the cross, is the non-perishable means by which believers are redeemed from their inherited futile ways and bought into a living hope through His resurrection.