but with the precious blood of ChristThe phrase emphasizes the immense value and significance of Christ's sacrifice. In the Old Testament, blood was central to the sacrificial system, symbolizing life and atonement for sin (
Leviticus 17:11). The use of "precious" underscores the unique and unparalleled worth of Christ's blood, contrasting it with the perishable things like silver or gold mentioned earlier in the passage. This highlights the eternal and divine nature of Christ's sacrifice, which is sufficient for the redemption of humanity. The concept of blood as a means of atonement is deeply rooted in Jewish tradition, where the shedding of blood was necessary for the forgiveness of sins (
Hebrews 9:22).
a lamb without blemish or spot
This phrase draws a direct parallel to the Passover lamb described inExodus 12:5, which had to be without defect to be an acceptable sacrifice. The imagery of a lamb is significant, as it points to Jesus as the fulfillment of the sacrificial system, the ultimate Passover Lamb (John 1:29). The requirement of being "without blemish or spot" signifies purity and perfection, qualities that are essential for a sacrifice that can truly atone for sin. This also connects to the Messianic prophecies inIsaiah 53, where the suffering servant is depicted as a lamb led to the slaughter, innocent and without fault. The typology of Jesus as the Lamb of God is a central theme in the New Testament, emphasizing His role as the perfect and final sacrifice for sin.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
PeterThe apostle of Jesus Christ, traditionally believed to be the author of this epistle. He writes to encourage and instruct believers facing trials.
2.
ChristThe central figure of Christianity, whose sacrificial death and resurrection are the foundation of Christian faith. In this verse, He is depicted as a sacrificial lamb.
3.
Lamb without blemish or spotThis imagery refers to the Old Testament sacrificial system, where a lamb without defect was required for offerings, symbolizing purity and acceptance by God.
Teaching Points
The Value of Christ's SacrificeThe term "precious" underscores the immense value and worth of Christ's blood, which is beyond any earthly treasure. Believers are reminded of the cost of their redemption.
Purity and PerfectionThe description of Christ as a "lamb without blemish or spot" highlights His sinlessness and perfection, qualifying Him as the only acceptable sacrifice for sin.
Old Testament FulfillmentUnderstanding the connection between the Old Testament sacrificial system and Christ's sacrifice enriches our appreciation of God's redemptive plan throughout history.
Call to HolinessJust as Christ was pure and spotless, believers are called to live holy lives, reflecting the transformative power of His sacrifice.
Assurance of RedemptionThe certainty of redemption through Christ's blood provides believers with assurance and hope, especially in times of trial and persecution.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 1 Peter 1:19?
2.How does 1 Peter 1:19 describe the significance of Christ's sacrifice for us?
3.What does "unblemished and spotless" in 1 Peter 1:19 reveal about Jesus' nature?
4.How does 1 Peter 1:19 connect with Old Testament sacrificial practices?
5.How can we live daily in gratitude for the "precious blood of Christ"?
6.What does 1 Peter 1:19 teach about the cost of our redemption?
7.What does "a lamb without blemish or spot" signify in 1 Peter 1:19?
8.How does 1 Peter 1:19 relate to the concept of redemption in Christianity?
9.Why is the imagery of a lamb used in 1 Peter 1:19?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Peter 1?
11.How can 1 Peter 1:20 claim Christ was chosen “before the creation of the world” when historical evidence places Jesus’s life in the first century?
12.What are the key themes of the General Epistles?
13.What are Christ's active and passive obedience?
14.What does "Agnus Dei" mean?What Does 1 Peter 1:19 Mean
But- The verse begins with “but,” turning our attention away from “perishable things” such as silver or gold (1 Peter 1:18) to something infinitely better.
- Peter is drawing a sharp contrast: human wealth cannot redeem; only God’s provision can (Psalm 49:7-8;Matthew 16:26).
- This “but” reminds us that salvation is entirely God’s initiative and gracious gift (Ephesians 2:8-9).
With the precious blood- “Precious” highlights unrivaled value—nothing compares with Christ’s blood (Hebrews 9:12).
- Blood signifies life given in substitution (Leviticus 17:11). Scripture repeatedly ties forgiveness to shed blood (Hebrews 9:22;Revelation 1:5).
- Because the price is so high, believers can rest secure: what was bought at infinite cost cannot be lost (John 10:28-29).
Of Christ- The focus is personal: it is the blood “of Christ,” not simply an abstract sacrifice.
- This is the God-man whose life, death, and resurrection uniquely save (Acts 4:12;Colossians 1:19-20).
- Because Jesus is fully divine, His blood carries infinite worth; because He is fully human, He can truly stand in our place (1 Timothy 2:5;Hebrews 2:14-15).
A lamb- Peter taps into the entire storyline of redemption: the Passover lamb ofExodus 12, the daily temple sacrifices, and Isaiah’s suffering servant (Isaiah 53:7;John 1:29).
- Lamb imagery stresses meekness and willing surrender (Philippians 2:6-8).
- InRevelation 5:6 the risen Christ is still “a Lamb,” showing that His sacrificial identity endures eternally.
Without blemish or spot- Old-covenant sacrifices had to be flawless (Leviticus 22:20-21). Jesus meets the standard perfectly in both nature and conduct (Hebrews 4:15; 7:26).
- “Without blemish” points to inward purity; “without spot” stresses outward perfection. Together they declare absolute sinlessness (2 Corinthians 5:21;1 John 3:5).
- Because the sacrifice is perfect, our redemption is complete—no additional payment is ever needed (Hebrews 10:12-14).
summary1 Peter 1:19 lifts our eyes from earthly substitutes to the one true ransom: the priceless, sinless, sacrificial blood of Jesus Christ. As the flawless Lamb, He satisfies every requirement of God’s justice and secures eternal redemption for all who trust in Him.
(19)
With the precious blood of Christ.--"Precious" means, not "much prized by us," but
costly,precious in itself; opposed to the perishableness of gold and silver. Notice that it is not "Jesus," but "Christ,"
i.e.,the Messiah. No price short of the "blood,"
i.e.,the death, of the Messiah could free the Jews from the thraldom of their "vain conversation." (Comp.
1Peter 1:2 and Note.) How Christ's death freed them from it is not explained here; but we may give a twofold explanation, as we did of His resurrection being our regeneration, in
1Peter 1:3. Historically it did so, because when they came to realise that their Messiah could only reach His glories through suffering it gave them a new insight into the whole meaning of the system under which they had been brought up. It did also, however, doubtless, in a more mysterious way, such as we cannot imagine, procure in God's sight their emancipation; and the following verses show that again St. Peter is thinking more of the theological than of the phenomenal side of the occurrence.
As of a lamb without blemish and without spot.--We might roughly paraphrase it by, "as of a sacrificial victim, to the sufficiency of whose offering no exception can be taken." The word "as" shows that in St. Peter's mind the notion of a "sacrifice," in reference to the atonement, was only a simile, or metaphor, just as it was with the notion of "ransom." Once more observe that the sacrifice was offered to effect a redemption which for the readers had already taken place. (Comp.Hebrews 9:14.) The primary thought in mentioning a "lamb" is, of course, that of sacrifice; but when we come to consider why that particular sacrificial animal was named rather than another, it is, no doubt, for two reasons. First, because of the whiteness, the helplessness, the youth, the innocence, and patience, which make it a natural symbol of our Lord. (Comp.Ecce Homo,p. 6, ed. 3.) The second reason is to be found in St. Peter's own life. The first thing that we know in his history was a putting together of those two words--Messiah, and the Lamb (John 1:36;John 1:40-41). Neither he nor St. John (seeRevelation 5:6,et al.) ever forgot that cry of the Baptist. They, no doubt, understood that cry to refer, not primarily to the Paschal, or any other sacrifice, but toIsaiah 53:7, and perhaps toGenesis 22:8. A word in the next verse will make it clearer that St. Peter really had the Baptist consciously before his mind when he thus wrote. . . .
Verse 19. -
But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot; rather, as in the Revised Version,
but with precious blood, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot, (
even the blood)
of Christ.
Precious, as opposed to the "corruptible things" of ver. 18; it is precious, because it is the blood of Christ. Christ's holy body saw not corruption; gold and silver must perish at last; the precious blood in its virtue and efficacy abideth evermore. The blood of Christ is compared with that of a lamb. The lambs and other animals offered as sacrifices were to be without blemish (
Exodus 12:5;
Leviticus 22:19, 20, 21); Christ was without sin, pure, harmless, undefiled. The blood of animals could never take away sin; yet it is written, "The life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh atonement for the soul" (
Leviticus 17:11). That blood prefigured the precious blood of Christ, which cleanseth from all sin. The sacrifices of the Law directed the faith of the pious Israelite to the one great Sacrifice, the Propitiation for the sins of the whole world. Probably St. Peter derived the comparison from the well-remembered words of the Baptist, reported by his brother Andrew, "Behold the Lamb of God!" The reference may be to the Paschal lamb ("Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us,"
1 Corinthians 5:7) - the blood of that lamb cannot, indeed, be regarded as a ransom from Egyptian bondage, but it saved the Israelites from the destroying angel - or to any sacrificial lamb. The apostle seems to be passing from the idea of ransom or price to that of expiation. The verb "ye were redeemed," the silver and gold, direct the thoughts to price; the blood and the lamb, to expiation. The two ideas are closely connected; the two illustrations combined give a fuller view of the blessed meaning of the Savior's death than either of them alone could do.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
butἀλλὰ(alla)Conjunction
Strong's 235:But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.with [the] preciousτιμίῳ(timiō)Adjective - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5093:Of great price, precious, honored.bloodαἵματι(haimati)Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 129:Blood, literally, figuratively or specially; by implication, bloodshed, also kindred.of Christ,Χριστοῦ(Christou)Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 5547:Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.a lambἀμνοῦ(amnou)Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 286:A lamb (as a type of innocence, and with sacrificial connotation). Apparently a primary word; a lamb.without blemishἀμώμου(amōmou)Adjective - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 299:Blameless, without blemish, unblemished, faultless. Unblemished.[or]καὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.spot.ἀσπίλου(aspilou)Adjective - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 784:Unstained, undefiled, spotless, pure. Unblemished.
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NT Letters: 1 Peter 1:19 But with precious blood as (1 Pet. 1P iP i Pet) 
