What does 1 Peter 3:21 mean?

1 Peter 3:21 (KJV) reads: "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God.)" It sits in 1 Peter chapter 3, a piece of letter to suffering believers from the New Testament, and is most often read as a verse about baptism. The meaning sharpens when you read the verses immediately around it and notice how 1 Peter as a whole is arguing its case.

What is the context of 1 Peter 3:21 in 1 Peter?

1 Peter 3:21 belongs to 1 Peter 3, which fits inside 1 Peter's wider message as letter to suffering believers. Before applying the verse, read at least the paragraph it appears in so you can see who is speaking, who is being addressed, and what situation prompted the words.

Is 1 Peter 3:21 from the Old or New Testament?

1 Peter 3:21 is from the New Testament — specifically the book of 1 Peter, chapter 3. That matters because New Testament verses are written after the resurrection and speak directly into the life of the church under the new covenant.

What translation of 1 Peter 3:21 is used here?

Every verse on Bible Sundays is quoted from the King James Version (KJV), the public-domain English translation first published in 1611. We use the KJV consistently so the wording you memorise on one page matches the wording on every other page of the site.

How can I memorise 1 Peter 3:21?

Read 1 Peter 3:21 aloud three times, write it out by hand once, then try to recite it from memory. Repeat morning and evening for a week. Pair it with the theme of baptism so your mind has a natural retrieval cue. Reviewing on day 1, day 3, day 7 and day 30 locks it in for the long term.

How should I apply 1 Peter 3:21 today?

Identify one specific situation in the next 24 hours — a conversation, a decision, a fear, a temptation around baptism — where 1 Peter 3:21 should change your response. Pray the verse back to God for that situation, then act on it. Application is what turns reading into obedience.

Baptism Card Verse

1 Peter 3:21 for Baptism Cards

A free, printable, share-ready KJV card verse. Pick a theme, download as a high-resolution image, or copy the text for handwritten cards.

For Baptism

“The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God.)”

1 Peter 3:21

King James Versionbiblesundays.com

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Why 1 Peter 3:21 works for baptism cards

Baptism as the answer of a good conscience — an act of faith, not ritual.

"The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God.)"

Read 1 Peter 3 (KJV) →

How to use this baptism card

Pick a theme above that matches the recipient's taste — botanical for weddings and showers, midnight for solemn occasions, kraft for rustic.
Download the PNG at 1200×1500 — Pinterest-optimized and high enough resolution for printing on standard 5×7 cardstock.
Send digitally via text, email, or social, or print and pair with a handwritten note inside.
Reference the chapter — readers often want to look up the surrounding context. Tap the link above to read 1 Peter 3 in the KJV.

More Baptism card verses

Romans 6:4

"Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."

Galatians 3:27

"For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ."

Matthew 28:19

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."

2 Corinthians 5:17

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

Acts 2:38

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."

Mark 1:9-11

"And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan."

Colossians 2:12

"Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead."

Titus 3:5

"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost."

See all 11 baptism card verses →