1 Peter 3:21

Like figure. Gr. antitupos, “antitype,” “copy,” “representation.” As Noah and his family “were saved by water,” so we are saved by baptism. Peter hastens to explain that, actually, salvation comes “by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” — alike for the antediluvians (see on v. 19) and for us (see on vs. 18, 21).

Baptism. Gr. baptismos, from baptizo, “to dip,” “to immerse” (see on Matt. 3:6; Rom. 6:3-6).

Not the putting away. The apostle here disclaims that the mere washing of the body has any power to cleanse a persons’s soul and to atone for his sins. Even as the Jewish ceremonial washings were only symbols of the deeper cleansing of the inner man, so Christian baptism is only representative of an inward experience.

Filth of the flesh. That is, ordinary bodily uncleanness.

Good conscience. Or, “clear conscience” (see on ch. 3:16). Baptism is valid only when it reflects a transformed mind and heart (see on Rom. 12:2).

By. Or, “by means of.” The water is merely a “figure” or “representation.” Without Christ’s resurrection baptism would be an empty form, all preaching would be futile, and all faith would be worthless (see on 1 Cor. 15:4, 14).