New International VersionFor, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,
New Living TranslationAs the Scriptures say, “People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field. The grass withers and the flower fades.
English Standard Versionfor “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls,
Berean Standard BibleFor, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,
Berean Literal Biblebecause, "All flesh is like grass, and all the glory of it like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls away,
King James BibleFor all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
New King James Versionbecause “All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away,
New American Standard BibleFor, “ALL FLESH IS LIKE GRASS, AND ALL ITS GLORY IS LIKE THE FLOWER OF GRASS. THE GRASS WITHERS, AND THE FLOWER FALLS OFF,
NASB 1995For, “ALL FLESH IS LIKE GRASS, AND ALL ITS GLORY LIKE THE FLOWER OF GRASS. THE GRASS WITHERS, AND THE FLOWER FALLS OFF,
NASB 1977For, “ALL FLESH IS LIKE GRASS, AND ALL ITS GLORY LIKE THE FLOWER OF GRASS. THE GRASS WITHERS, AND THE FLOWER FALLS OFF,
Legacy Standard BibleFor, “ALL FLESH IS LIKE GRASS, AND ALL ITS GLORY LIKE THE FLOWER OF GRASS. THE GRASS WITHERS, AND THE FLOWER FALLS OFF,
Amplified BibleFor, “ALL FLESH IS LIKE GRASS, AND ALL ITS GLORY LIKE THE FLOWER OF GRASS. THE GRASS WITHERS AND THE FLOWER FALLS OFF,
Christian Standard BibleFor All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like a flower of the grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls,
Holman Christian Standard BibleFor All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like a flower of the grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls,
American Standard VersionFor, All flesh is as grass, And all the glory thereof as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower falleth:
Contemporary English VersionThe Scriptures say, "Humans wither like grass, and their glory fades like wild flowers. Grass dries up, and flowers fall to the ground.
English Revised VersionFor, All flesh is as grass, And all the glory thereof as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower falleth:
GOD'S WORD® Translation"All people are like grass, and all their beauty is like a flower of the field. The grass dries up and the flower drops off,
Good News TranslationAs the scripture says, "All human beings are like grass, and all their glory is like wild flowers. The grass withers, and the flowers fall,
International Standard VersionFor "All human life is like grass, and all its glory is like a flower in the grass. The grass dries up and the flower drops off,
NET BibleFor all flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of the grass; the grass withers and the flower falls off,
New Heart English BibleFor, "All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flower in the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls;
Webster's Bible TranslationFor all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and its flower falleth away:
Weymouth New Testament"All mankind resemble the herbage, and all their beauty is like its flowers. The herbage dries up, and its flowers drop off; Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleFor, “All flesh is like grass, and all the glory of man like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,
World English BibleFor, “All flesh is like grass, and all of man’s glory like the flower in the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls; Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionbecause all flesh [is] as grass, and all glory of man as flower of grass; the grass withered, and the flower of it fell away,
Berean Literal Biblebecause, "All flesh is like grass, and all the glory of it like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls away,
Young's Literal Translation because all flesh is as grass, and all glory of man as flower of grass; wither did the grass, and the flower of it fell away,
Smith's Literal TranslationFor all flesh as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass dried up, and the flower fell out: Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleFor all flesh is as grass; and all the glory thereof as the flower of grass. The grass is withered, and the flower thereof is fallen away.
Catholic Public Domain VersionFor all flesh is like the grass and all its glory is like the flower of the grass. The grass withers and its flower falls away.
New American Biblefor: “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flower of the field; the grass withers, and the flower wilts;
New Revised Standard VersionFor “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleFor all flesh is as grass, and all its glory is as the flower of the field. The grass withers and the flower fades away:
Aramaic Bible in Plain EnglishBecause all flesh is grass and all its beauty as the blossom of the field; the grass withers and the blossom fades. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentFor all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass; the grass withers, and its flower fails away:
Godbey New TestamentTherefore all flesh is as grass, and all its glory as the flower of grass: the grass is withered, and the flower fell off;
Haweis New Testament“For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man, as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower of it falleth off:”
Mace New Testament
for human nature is like grass, and all their glory like the flower of the herb, the herb withers, the flower droops,
Weymouth New Testament
"All mankind resemble the herbage, and all their beauty is like its flowers. The herbage dries up, and its flowers drop off;
Worrell New Testament
Because "All fleshis as grass, and all its glory as the flower of grass: the grass withered, and the flower fell off; but the word of the Lord abides forever."
Worsley New Testament
For all fleshis as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass: the grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away;
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Word of the Lord Stands… 23For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 24For,“Allflesh islikegrass,andallitsglorylikethe flowersof the field;thegrasswithersandtheflowersfall,25but the word of the Lord stands forever.” And this is the word that was proclaimed to you.…
Cross References Isaiah 40:6-8A voice says, “Cry out!” And I asked, “What should I cry out?” “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field. / The grass withers and the flowers fall when the breath of the LORD blows on them; indeed, the people are grass. / The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”
James 1:10-11But the one who is rich should exult in his low position, because he will pass away like a flower of the field. / For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its flower falls and its beauty is lost. So too, the rich man will fade away in the midst of his pursuits.
Psalm 103:15-16As for man, his days are like grass—he blooms like a flower of the field; / when the wind passes over, it vanishes, and its place remembers it no more.
Job 14:1-2“Man, who is born of woman, is short of days and full of trouble. / Like a flower, he comes forth, then withers away; like a fleeting shadow, he does not endure.
Matthew 24:35Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.
1 John 2:17The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever.
Psalm 90:5-6You sweep them away in their sleep; they are like the new grass of the morning— / in the morning it springs up new, but by evening it fades and withers.
Isaiah 51:12“I, even I, am He who comforts you. Why should you be afraid of mortal man, of a son of man who withers like grass?
James 4:14You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
Psalm 102:11My days are like lengthening shadows, and I wither away like grass.
Isaiah 64:6Each of us has become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind.
Ecclesiastes 1:4Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever.
2 Corinthians 4:18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Hebrews 1:10-12And: “In the beginning, O Lord, You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. / They will perish, but You remain; they will all wear out like a garment. / You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed; but You remain the same, and Your years will never end.”
Psalm 37:2For they wither quickly like grass and wilt like tender plants.
Treasury of Scripture For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass wither, and the flower thereof falls away: For. 2 Kings 19:26 Therefore their inhabitants were of small power, they were dismayed and confounded; they wereas the grass of the field, andas the green herb,as the grass on the housetops, andas corn blasted before it be grown up. Psalm 37:2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Psalm 90:5 Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they areas a sleep: in the morningthey are like grasswhich groweth up. Jump to Previous BeautyDeadDriesDropDryFallFallenFallethFallsFellFieldFleshFlowerFlowersGloryGrassHerbageMankindResembleThereofWitherWitheredWitherethWithersJump to Next BeautyDeadDriesDropDryFallFallenFallethFallsFellFieldFleshFlowerFlowersGloryGrassHerbageMankindResembleThereofWitherWitheredWitherethWithers1 Peter 1 1.Peter praises God for his manifold spiritual graces;10.showing that the salvation in Christ the fulfillment of prophesy;13.and exhorts them accordingly to be holy.For, “All flesh is like grass,This phrase draws from Isaiah 40:6, emphasizing the transient nature of human life. In biblical times, grass was a common metaphor for frailty and temporality, as it quickly withers under the sun. This imagery is used to remind believers of the fleeting nature of earthly existence compared to the eternal nature of God. The use of "flesh" refers to humanity in its mortal state, highlighting the contrast between human frailty and divine permanence. and all its glory like the flowers of the field;
The "glory" of humanity, which can include achievements, beauty, and strength, is likened to the flowers of the field. Flowers, though beautiful, are short-lived, symbolizing the temporary nature of human accomplishments and beauty. This reflects the biblical theme found inPsalm 103:15-16, where human life is compared to grass and flowers that flourish briefly before fading away. The cultural context of the time would have understood this imagery well, as flowers in the Middle East bloom quickly and fade just as fast. the grass withers and the flowers fall,
This continuation of the metaphor underscores the inevitability of decay and death in the natural world, paralleling the human condition. The withering of grass and falling of flowers serve as a reminder of the certainty of mortality. This imagery is consistent with the wisdom literature of the Old Testament, such as Ecclesiastes, which often reflects on the ephemeral nature of life. The phrase also points to the need for reliance on the eternal Word of God, which stands in stark contrast to the temporary nature of human life and glory. Persons / Places / Events 1. PeterThe apostle Peter, one of Jesus' closest disciples, is the author of this epistle. He writes to encourage and instruct believers who are scattered and facing trials. 2. The RecipientsThe letter is addressed to the "elect exiles" of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, regions in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). 3. IsaiahThe prophet Isaiah is indirectly referenced here, as Peter quotes from Isaiah 40:6-8, drawing on the Old Testament to emphasize the transient nature of human life. 4. The Grass and FlowersThese are metaphors used to illustrate the temporary and fleeting nature of human life and achievements. 5. The Word of the LordIn contrast to the temporary nature of human life, the Word of the Lord is eternal and enduring. Teaching Points The Transience of Human LifeHuman life, with all its achievements and glory, is temporary and fleeting. This should humble us and remind us of our dependence on God. The Enduring Word of GodIn contrast to the temporary nature of human life, God's Word is eternal. It is a firm foundation upon which we can build our lives. Living with an Eternal PerspectiveUnderstanding the temporary nature of life should encourage us to focus on eternal values and invest in what truly lasts. The Importance of ScriptureAs believers, we should prioritize reading, studying, and applying God's Word, which is the only enduring truth in a changing world. Hope in TrialsFor the original recipients facing trials, this passage offers hope by reminding them of the eternal promises of God. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of 1 Peter 1:24?
2.How does 1 Peter 1:24 emphasize the temporary nature of human life?
3.What does "the grass withers" teach about earthly achievements and priorities?
4.How does Isaiah 40:6-8 relate to 1 Peter 1:24's message?
5.How can understanding life's brevity influence our daily decisions and actions?
6.In what ways can we focus on eternal values over temporary ones today?
7.How does 1 Peter 1:24 relate to the transient nature of human life?
8.What is the significance of "All flesh is like grass" in 1 Peter 1:24?
9.How does 1 Peter 1:24 challenge the belief in human permanence?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Peter 1?
11.What does 'the grass withers and flowers fade' mean?
12.What is Verbal Plenary Preservation?
13.What does "the grass withers and flowers fade" mean?
14.What defines the concept of eternal value?What Does 1 Peter 1:24 Mean For• The little word “For” links verse 24 to verses 22-23, where Peter urges believers to love one another deeply because they have been “born again… through the living and enduring word of God.” • Peter is explaining why the imperishable word is the only secure foundation: everything outside that word is temporary.Isaiah 40:8 affirms the same contrast—people fade, but God’s word “stands forever.” • By anchoring his point with “For,” Peter reminds us that our new birth rests on something eternal, not on the short-lived qualities of human strength or feeling (seeMatthew 24:35).
All flesh is like grass• “All flesh” means every human being without exception. Scripture treats this as literal fact: we are created, we age, we die (Genesis 3:19;Psalm 90:10). • Grass springs up quickly but is fragile and brief (Psalm 103:15-16). In the same way, human life—no matter how vigorous—cannot last on its own. •James 4:14 echoes the thought: “You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”
and all its glory like the flowers of the field• Whatever human beings prize—beauty, power, wealth, talent—resembles wildflowers: attractive for a moment, soon gone. •James 1:10-11 pictures the rich believer’s “flowering” fading under the scorching sun. •Isaiah 28:1 warns that even a “crown of pride” is only a fading blossom. God is not impressed by accomplishments that evaporate overnight (Jeremiah 9:23-24).
the grass withers• Withering is inevitable; it is not a possibility but a certainty.Job 14:2 describes mortals as blossoms that “wither and die.” • The image underlines how quickly strength declines. One harsh season, one serious illness, one unexpected event—and vigor evaporates (Psalm 90:5-6). • By highlighting decay, Peter presses believers to invest in what cannot decay: obedience to the living word (1 Peter 1:22-23).
and the flowers fall• The final phrase moves from decay to disappearance. The flower not only wilts; it drops off, leaving no trace. •Isaiah 40:7 states, “The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the LORD blows on it.” God Himself oversees the cycle; human glory ends by His decree. •1 John 2:17 sums up Peter’s point: “The world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God remains forever.”
summary1 Peter 1:24 teaches that every human life and every human achievement are as temporary as grass and wildflowers. Strength fades, accomplishments disappear, and earthly glory collapses. Peter lifts our eyes to what endures—the word of God that gave us new birth—so we will stake our hope, our conduct, and our love on the only foundation that can never perish. (24) For all flesh is as grass.--The citation is from Isaiah 40:6-8, and varies between the Hebrew and the LXX. in the kind of way which shows that the writer was familiar with both. But the passage is by no means quoted only to support the assertion, in itself ordinary enough, that the Word of the Lord abideth for ever. It is always impossible to grasp the meaning of an Old Testament quotation in the mouth of a Hebrew without taking into account the context of the original. Nothing is commoner than to omit purposely the very words which contain the whole point of the quotation. Now these sentences in Isaiah stand in the forefront of the herald's proclamation of the return of God to Sion, always interpreted of the establishment of the Messianic kingdom. This proclamation of the Messianic kingdom comprises words which St. Peter has purposely omitted, and they contain the point of the quotation. The omitted words are, "the Spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it: surely the people"-- i.e.,Israel--"is grass." Immediately before our quotation went the words, "the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together;" statements which so shocked the LXX. translator that he entirely omitted 1Peter 1:7, and changed the previous verse so as to make some difference between Jew and Gentile (as Godet points out on Luke 3:6), into "the glory of the Lord shall be revealed." i.e.,to Israel, "and all flesh shall see the salvation of God." The comment of Bishop Lowth on the original passage will well bring out what St. Peter means here: "What is the import of [the proclamation]? that the people, the flesh, is of a vain temporary nature; that all its glory fadeth, and is soon gone; but that the Word of God endureth for ever. What is this but a plain opposition of the flesh to the Spirit; of the carnal Israel to the spiritual; of the temporary Mosaic economy to the eternal Christian dispensation?" Here, then, St. Peter is quoting one of the greatest of Messianic prophecies; and his Hebrew readers would at once understand the Hebrew method of the quotation, and see that he was calling attention to the absolute equality of Jew and Gentile there proclaimed. Generation of the corruptible seed, physical descent from Abraham, was "the glory of the flesh" (observe that according to the best text St. Peter does not follow the LXX., and insert "of man," but follows the Hebrew, and says "all the glory thereof," i.e.,of the flesh). On this "the Spirit of the Lord" had breathed ( Psalm 104:30); and the merely fleshly glory had withered like grass. But "the word of our God," which, mark well, St. Peter purposely changes into "the Word of the Lord," i.e., of Jesus Christ,incidentally showing his Hebrew readers that he believed Jesus Christ to be"our God"--this "abideth for ever." The engendering by this is imperishable, i.e.,involves a privilege which is not, like that of the Jewish blood, transitory: it will never become a matter of indifference whether we have been engendered with this, as is the case now ( Galatians 6:15) with regard to the "corruptible seed;" no further revelation will ever level up the unregenerate to be the equals of the regenerate. And in this regeneration "all flesh" share alike. The teaching of the Baptist, who fulfilled this prophecy, is here again apparent. (See Matthew 3:9.) . . . Verse 24. - For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away. St. Peter quotes Isaiah 40:6-8, in illustration of his assertion that the Word of God abideth forever. The quotation is from the Septuagint. St. Peter follows that version in omitting part of ver. 7; but he slightly varies the words, writing (according to the most ancient manuscripts), "all the glory thereof," instead of "all the glory of man;" and in the next verse, "the Word of the Lord," instead of "the Word of our God." The first variation shows an acquaintance with the original Hebrew. St. James refers to the same passage from Isaiah in James 1:10, 11.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek For,διότι(dioti)Conjunction
Strong's 1360:On this account, because, for. From dia and hoti; on the very account that, or inasmuch as.“AllΠᾶσα(Pasa)Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3956:All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.flesh [is]σὰρξ(sarx)Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4561:Flesh, body, human nature, materiality; kindred.likeὡς(hōs)Adverb
Strong's 5613:Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.grass,χόρτος(chortos)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5528:Grass, herbage, growing grain, hay. Apparently a primary word; a 'court' or 'garden', i.e. herbage or vegetation.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.allπᾶσα(pasa)Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3956:All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.itsαὐτῆς(autēs)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.gloryδόξα(doxa)Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1391:From the base of dokeo; glory, in a wide application.likeὡς(hōs)Adverb
Strong's 5613:Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.[the] flowersἄνθος(anthos)Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 438:Bloom, possibly a reference to the bright flowers, such as poppies (among the grass). A primary word; a blossom.of the field;χόρτου(chortou)Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 5528:Grass, herbage, growing grain, hay. Apparently a primary word; a 'court' or 'garden', i.e. herbage or vegetation.theὁ(ho)Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.grassχόρτος(chortos)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5528:Grass, herbage, growing grain, hay. Apparently a primary word; a 'court' or 'garden', i.e. herbage or vegetation.withersἐξηράνθη(exēranthē)Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3583:To dry up, parch, be ripened, wither, waste away. From xeros; to desiccate; by implication, to shrivel, to mature.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.theτὸ(to)Article - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.flowersἄνθος(anthos)Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 438:Bloom, possibly a reference to the bright flowers, such as poppies (among the grass). A primary word; a blossom.fall,ἐξέπεσεν(exepesen)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1601:From ek and pipto; to drop away; specially, be driven out of one's course; figuratively, to lose, become inefficient.
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NT Letters: 1 Peter 1:24 For All flesh is like grass (1 Pet. 1P iP i Pet) |
