1 Peter 1:12

“Unto whom it was revealed, etc.] The salvation they searched and inquired into, and the grace of it; the time of its being wrought out, and what sort of times they would be when Christ should come, both to the church, and to the world, among Jews and Gentiles; as also what cruel sufferings the Messiah should undergo, and what great glory should be put upon him afterwards: that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister. The Vulgate Latin, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions, read “unto you”; and so do some copies. Not that they were ignorant of the things they searched into, and were revealed unto them, and they prophesied of; as the Jews sometimes say f31 of them, “that they prophesied,…”

“Not only was the future revealed to them, but this also, that these revelations of the future were given them not for themselves, but for our good in Gospel times. This, so far from disheartening, only quickened them in unselfishly testifying in the Spirit for the partial good of their own generation (only of believers), and for the full benefit of posterity. Contrast in Gospel times, Rev 22:10. Not that their prophecies were unattended with spiritual instruction as to the Redeemer to their own generation, but the full light was not to be given till Messiah should come; it was well that they should have this "revealed" to them, lest they should be disheartened in not clearly discovering with…”

“Unto whom it was revealed - They were not permitted to know fully the import of the predictions which they were made the instruments of communicating to mankind, but they understood that they were intended for the benefit of future ages. That not unto themselves - We are not to suppose that they derived no benefit from their own predictions; for, as far as they understood the truth, it was as much adapted to sanctify and comfort them as it is us now: but the meaning is, that their messages had reference mainly to future times, and that the full benefit of them would be experienced only in distant ages. Compare Hebrews 11:39-40. Unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported…”

“To whom - So searching. It was revealed, that not for themselves, but for us they ministered - They did not so much by those predictions serve themselves, or that generation, as they did us, who now enjoy what they saw afar off. With the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven - Confirmed by the inward, powerful testimony of the Holy Ghost, as well as the mighty effusion of his miraculous gifts. Which things angels desire to look into - A beautiful gradation; prophets, righteous men, kings, desired to see and hear what Christ did and taught. What the Holy Ghost taught concerning Christ the very angels long to know. 1 Peter 1:13”

“1:12 eagerly watching: The same Greek word is used of the disciples when they peered into Jesus’ empty tomb (Luke 24:12; John 20:5, 11).”

“it: Isa 53:1; Dan 2:19, Dan 2:22, Dan 2:28, Dan 2:29, Dan 2:47, Dan 10:1; Amo 3:7; Mat 11:25, Mat 11:27, Mat 16:17; Luk 2:26; Rom 1:17; Co1 2:10; Gal 1:12, Gal 1:16 that not: Dan 9:24, Dan 12:9, Dan 12:13; Heb 11:13, Heb 11:39, Heb 11:40 that have: Mar 16:15; Luk 9:6; Act 8:25, Act 16:10; Rom 1:15, Rom 10:15, Rom 15:19; Th1 2:9; Heb 4:2 with: Joh 15:26, Joh 16:7-15; Act 2:4, Act 2:33, Act 4:8, Act 4:31, Act 10:44; Co2 1:22, Co2 6:6; Th1 1:5, Th1 1:6; Heb 2:4 sent: Pro 1:23; Isa 11:2-6, Isa 32:15, Isa 44:3-5; Joe 2:28; Zac 12:10; Joh 15:26; Act 2:17, Act 2:18 which things: Exo 25:20; Dan 8:13, Dan 12:5, Dan 12:6; Luk 15:10; Eph 3:10; Rev 5:11 1 Peter 1:13”