Passion Week: In the Tomb

1 Peter 3:18-20

One of the more disputed, yet fascinating, passages of Scripture is found in 1 Peter 3. There are at least five widely acknowledged theories about the meaning of this passage. The reason I am looking at it in this posting is because of the view of some that this reference is to what Jesus did in the spirit while His body lay in the tomb.

I wish I could say I know exactly what this passage means, but I can't. In fact, I'm more sure of what it does not mean than what it does mean. Some have suggested it means Jesus went to Hades (or purgatory) to offer a second chance at salvation for people who died before Jesus. I don't believe that is true because of Hebrews 9:27 "It is appointed for men to die once, then after that the judgment."

John MacArthur holds that this reference to Jesus preaching to the spirits now in prison is referring to Jesus declaring triumph over sin and death to fallen angels who are now in prison awaiting final judgment. Because Peter uses the time of Noah to flesh out his point, MacArthur argues that it points to the judgment God executed against men and angels during the flood.

Another possible interpretation is that Jesus was proclaiming judgment to the people through Noah during the construction of the Ark. This is the position held by Wayne Grudem.

I don't believe we can say with certainty what took place between the crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus. For us, I think we should spend a moment on this Saturday between the two events with humble anticipation. Humble because the death Jesus died was for our sins, but in anticipation because the grave and death is about to be forever defeated. When the sun (Son) rises the next day, there is no more doubt that God's love is great and His sovereignty over all things is certain.