1 Peter 1:11
Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
Study Note
Study Note
Peter's identification of 'the Spirit of Christ' as the agent inspiring the prophets to search out 'what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating' when predicting Christ's sufferings and subsequent glories is a significant christological claim. It asserts pre-existent activity of Christ's Spirit within the Old Testament prophetic corpus, reading the entire prophetic tradition as christologically oriented. The temporal uncertainty of the prophets — wondering about the time and circumstances of fulfillment — highlights the discontinuity between prophetic prediction and historical fulfillment, a gap bridged only by the incarnation. The verse has been central to Christian hermeneutics of the Old Testament, supporting typological and prophetic readings without reducing the prophets to mere predictors.
Other Translations
searching what time or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did point unto, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glories that should follow them.
searching in regard to what or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ that was in them was manifesting, testifying beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glory after these,
Attempting to see what sort of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them was pointing to, when it gave witness to the pains which Christ would undergo and the glories which would come after them.
Cross References
Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because …
Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?
As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than …
Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.
And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of …
Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon …
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his …
By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, …
And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I …