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Ordinary Time · Nativity of St John the Baptist: Vigil · Year A

1 Peter 1:8-12

The Salvation the Prophets Searched Out

June 24, 2026

The Nativity with the Prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel, Duccio di Buoninsegna
The Nativity with the Prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel, Duccio di Buoninsegna, 1308–1311National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
The stable built into the rock with the mother laid out across the whole width of it, and on the two wings, standing outside the scene and holding their own words on scrolls, the prophets who foretold it.Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that was to be yours made careful search and inquiry … things into which angels long to look!Duccio di BuoninsegnaThe founder of Sienese painting, who kept the gold and the Byzantine patterns while letting real feeling into the faces.National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.Founded on Andrew Mellon's collection and his insistence that it carry no one's name, and free to the public by law.National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Roman Lectionary
GospelLuke 1:5-17Lk 1:5-17
Second Reading1 Pet. 1:8-121 Pt 1:8-12
First ReadingJer. 1:4-10Jer 1:4-10
Responsorial PsalmPs. 71:1-2, 3-4a, 5-6ab, 15ab+17 (6b)Ps 71:1-2, 3-4a, 5-6ab, 15ab+17 (6b)

Overview & Insights

"Though you have not seen him, you love him." (1 Peter 1:8)

Peter praises believers who love and rejoice in Christ though they have not seen him, receiving the salvation of their souls. He notes that the prophets searched and inquired about this grace, serving those who would hear the good news.

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Commentary

1 Peter 1: A Living Hope1 Pt 1: A Living Hope Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik's verse by verse evangelical commentary on the chapter.

1 Peter Commentaries1 Pt Commentaries Precept Austin

A gathered collection of word studies, quotations, and cross references through 1 Peter.

1 Peter 1:8 Commentaries1 Pt 1:8 Commentaries BibleHub

Aggregates classic commentaries on loving the unseen Christ and the prophets' search in one place.

Barnes' Notes on 1 Peter 1Barnes' Notes on 1 Pt 1 StudyLight

Albert Barnes' notes on the whole first chapter of 1 Peter.

Nativity of John the Baptist: Vigil ReadingsNativity of Jn the Baptist: Vigil Readings Agape Bible Study

A Catholic reading study for the vigil, reading the prophets' inquiry alongside the forerunner's role.

Background & Word Study

Book of 1 Peter OverviewBook of 1 Pt Overview BibleProject

An animated overview of 1 Peter's message of hope amid suffering.

1 Peter 1:8 Greek Interlinear1 Pt 1:8 Greek Interlinear BibleHub

Greek word by word with parsing and Strong's numbers for the rejoicing in the unseen Christ.

The Church Fathers

Catena on 1 Peter 1Catena on 1 Pt 1 Catena

Patristic comments verse by verse on faith, joy, and the prophets' witness.

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