1 Peter 2 23

1 Peter 2:23 kjv

Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

1 Peter 2:23 nkjv

who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;

1 Peter 2:23 niv

When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.

1 Peter 2:23 esv

When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.

1 Peter 2:23 nlt

He did not retaliate when he was insulted,
nor threaten revenge when he suffered.
He left his case in the hands of God,
who always judges fairly.

1 Peter 2 verses

1 Peter 2 23 Meaning

First Peter 2:23 describes the exemplary conduct of Jesus Christ in the face of suffering and abuse. When verbally abused, He did not respond with reciprocal abuse; when undergoing physical pain, He did not issue threats of retribution. Instead, He consistently committed and entrusted Himself and His cause to God, who judges with perfect righteousness. This verse highlights Christ's non-retaliation and His perfect reliance on divine justice, serving as a profound model for believers enduring unjust suffering.

1 Peter 2 23 Context

First Peter chapter 2 builds on the preceding themes of spiritual growth and living as "sojourners and exiles" (1 Pet 2:11) in a world that is often hostile to faith. Peter urges believers to lay aside malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander (1 Pet 2:1), and to grow in their salvation. He then calls them to live honorable lives among unbelievers (1 Pet 2:12), highlighting the importance of their conduct. The immediate context of verse 23 is Peter's exhortation to submission: submission to human governing authorities (1 Pet 2:13-17) and, more specifically, to masters, even those who are harsh (1 Pet 2:18). He argues that suffering for doing good is commendable (1 Pet 2:19-20) and then introduces Christ as the supreme example (1 Pet 2:21-25). Jesus suffered "for you, leaving you an example" (1 Pet 2:21). Verse 23 details how Christ endured this suffering, providing a practical blueprint for how believers are to conduct themselves when facing unjust abuse and persecution, rather than retaliating or seeking personal vindication. This attitude runs counter to the prevailing honor-shame culture of the Greco-Roman world, which often demanded swift and assertive retaliation for perceived insults or slights to maintain social standing.

1 Peter 2 23 Word analysis

• When he was reviled (λοιδορούμενος - loidoroúmenos): This is a participle from loidoreo, meaning to revile, abuse with verbal insults, taunt, or speak evil of. It describes ongoing, active verbal abuse. Christ continually endured such attacks, especially during His trial and crucifixion, being mocked and scorned by religious leaders, soldiers, and crowds.
• He did not revile in return (οὐκ ἀντελοιδορεῖτο - ouk anteloidoreíto): Anti- (αντι-) implies "in return" or "back," making this a reciprocal action. Christ did not engage in verbal counter-attack, even though He possessed all wisdom and truth. His silence and non-response demonstrated supreme self-control and perfect submission to the Father's will, echoing Isa 53:7.
• When he suffered (πάσχων - páschōn): A participle from paschō, encompassing a broad range of experiences of affliction, suffering, and hardship, both physical and emotional. This goes beyond mere verbal abuse to include the scourging, beating, crowning with thorns, and crucifixion.
• He did not threaten (οὐκ ἠπείλει - ouk ēpeílei): Apeileo means to menace, to show an intention to inflict injury, to warn with a threat. Despite having ultimate power, being able to call down legions of angels (Matt 26:53), Christ did not issue any threats against His tormentors or use His divine authority to protect Himself.
• But continued entrusting himself (παρεδίδου - paredídou): This is an imperfect tense verb, indicating a continuous or repeated action. Paradidomi means "to hand over," "to commit," "to entrust," or "to deliver." Here, it signifies Christ's active and continuous act of handing over or committing Himself to God. It was not a passive endurance but an active, faithful surrender. He deliberately placed His life, reputation, and ultimate vindication in God's hands. This reflects a profound depth of trust, similar to the Psalmist's declaration in Ps 31:5 and Jesus' own words on the cross (Luke 23:46).
• To him who judges justly (τῷ κρίνοντι δικαίως - tō krínonti dikaíōs): This refers to God the Father. Krinō means "to judge" or "to discern," and dikaiōs means "justly" or "righteously." It highlights God's perfect and unwavering righteousness in His judgment. Christ understood that God is the ultimate arbiter of all matters, including injustices suffered. Therefore, personal vengeance or vindication was unnecessary; the Father would bring about righteous judgment in His perfect timing.

1 Peter 2 23 Bonus section

The active "entrusting himself" (παρεδίδου - paredídou) by Christ is pivotal. It means that Christ wasn't just not reacting negatively; He was actively acting positively by placing His case and destiny into God's hands. This is the divine alternative to human vengeance. It speaks to Christ's full humanity in facing the temptation to respond in kind, and His divine self-control in perfectly trusting the Father's plan and judgment. Peter's own experience of denying Christ and then being restored (John 21:15-19) might have informed his deep appreciation for Christ's grace and non-condemnatory patience, mirroring the lesson for enduring unjust treatment with a trust in God rather than a reliance on self. Furthermore, this verse underscores the radical nature of Christian ethics: suffering well is part of bearing witness to Christ and His kingdom, a kingdom where justice is meted out by the divine King, not by human retaliation.

1 Peter 2 23 Commentary

First Peter 2:23 presents Christ's response to suffering as the quintessential example for believers. It transcends mere ethical conduct, revealing a deep theological truth: our trust must ultimately be in God's righteous judgment. Christ, who was truly innocent, perfectly embodied non-retaliation and submission. When reviled with scorn and physically tormented, He refused to reciprocate with verbal abuse or physical threats. His silent endurance was not weakness but immense strength, born of perfect obedience and absolute faith in the Father's sovereignty. He continuously "delivered over" Himself and His cause to God, the righteous Judge. This demonstrates that personal vindication or retribution is not for the believer to pursue. Rather, we are called to emulate Christ's profound reliance on divine justice. For Christians enduring unjust suffering, this verse is an anchor, directing them away from bitterness and revenge and towards patient endurance rooted in trust that God sees all, and His justice will ultimately prevail. This practical application manifests in situations where one is unjustly slandered at work, falsely accused in relationships, or persecuted for their faith; instead of fighting back with words or threats, the believer commits their grievance to God, trusting Him to right all wrongs in His way and time.