Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Peter 3:20

"that aforetime were disobedient, when the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water:" — 1 Peter 3:20 (ASV)

These fallen angels are now identified as those who were disobedient at the time of Noah. This connects with the rebellion of Ge 6:1–4 (see also 2 Peter 2:4;Jude 6). Peter makes a connection between the disobedience of the spirits and the Flood-judgment. The Flood-judgment is a warning to humanity of God’s coming final judgment on the disobedient world (cf. Matthew 24:37–41; 2 Peter 3:3–7). The ark that saved a few through water portrays the salvation now available in Christ.