To whom did Jesus preach?

“By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.” 1 Peter 3:19-20

Jesus preached to “the spirits in prison,” that is, to those who had died in unbelief and in rejection of God.   The Scriptures here affirm that after death unbelievers are kept “in prison,” a place of punishment, often referred to in the Scriptures as hell or Hades.  As part of his mission, Jesus goes to those “in prison” and lets unbelievers (and us) know two things: 

1.  By descending into hell, Jesus confirms the due punishment that comes to those who reject him.  After death, there is no second chance.  On the cross, Jesus who suffered the torments of hell on our behalf, the afflictions of Satan on our account, and the pangs of death in our stead, for good reason.  In love God’s Son aimed to save us from this “prison,” a place of eternal separation from God the source of all life.

2.  By descending into hell, Jesus also affirms that the God of love is a just God.  His justice is based on faith or unbelief.  Faith in Christ Jesus saves us from prison; unbelief condemns.  God condemns all who reject him in unbelief.  They are the ones “in prison.”   In particular, Jesus is speaking here to those in prison during Noah’s time.  They once experienced God’s strong warnings, but justly died in the flood-waters because of their “disobedience.”  Even today their unbelief stands as an exemplary warning to everyone.  Noah, however, is a model of faith.  He believed God and kept alive the faith in God’s promise of the Savior. 

As that promised Savior, Jesus now speaks clearly and simply.  His cross is the final preachment of God’s justice.  The cross not only confirms life for believers.  It also announces God’s judgment on all unbelief.   This message came across loud and clear when Jesus, “made alive by the Spirit” of God [vs 18], announced his victory over Satan, death, and sin “to disobedient unbelievers in prison.”  So Jesus affirms his loving kindness but at the same time confirms God’s judgment on all unbelief. 

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