Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Peter 1:20

"who was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but was manifested at the end of times for your sake," — 1 Peter 1:20 (ASV)

Jesus “was chosen before the creation of the world.” “Chosen” (lit., “known before”; GK 4589) means more than “foresight,” for why would Peter at this point make the obvious statement that God knew before about Jesus and his death? Rather, “chosen” connotes purpose (cf. Romans 11:2), giving the idea of predestination. That is, redemption was in God’s plan before the time of creation (cf. Ephesians 1:3–4). And now this redemption has been “revealed” in Jesus of Nazareth “in these last times.” With the coming of Jesus, the last age has come (cf., e.g., Acts 2:17; Hebrews 1:2; Hebrews 9:26). Salvation in Christ, purposed from eternity, is now made plain, Peter tells his readers, “for your sake.” He personalizes it so as to spur them to a life of response to God.