What is the meaning of 1 Peter 1:20?

He was known before the foundation of the world

• Long before Genesis 1:1, the Son was already fully present with the Father. John 1:1-2 says, “In the beginning was the Word… He was with God in the beginning.”

• This foreknowledge is personal, not merely informational. Revelation 13:8 speaks of “the Lamb who was slain from the foundation of the world,” showing the cross was never Plan B.

• God’s eternal plan also included us: “He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4).

• Jesus prayed, “glorify Me… with the glory I had with You before the world existed” (John 17:5), underscoring His eternal deity and unity with the Father.

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but was revealed in the last times

• Though eternally present, the Son stepped into history at a specific, God-appointed moment: “When the fullness of time had come, God sent His Son” (Galatians 4:4-5).

• Hebrews 1:1-2 contrasts past prophetic revelation with this climactic unveiling: “In these last days He has spoken to us by His Son.”

• Grace planned before time “has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 1:9-10).

• The “last times” began with Christ’s first coming and continue until His return, marking the decisive era of salvation history.

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for your sake

• Peter has just reminded believers that they were redeemed “with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot” (1 Peter 1:18-19). The eternal plan became visible so that sinners could be rescued.

• Romans 5:8 personalizes this love: “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

• Titus 2:14 adds that He “gave Himself for us to redeem us… and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession.”

• The revelation of Christ is therefore not an abstract theological event; it is a gift aimed directly at you. Accepting it leads to living hope (1 Peter 1:3) and confident faith (1 Peter 1:21).

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summary

The verse tracks a straight line from eternity past to your present salvation: the Son was eternally known to the Father, stepped into human history at the perfect moment, and did it all with you in mind. His pre-existence guarantees His sufficiency, His appearing marks the turning point of history, and His purpose is your redemption and transformation.