Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
Not only was the future revealed to them, but also that these revelations were given them mainly, not for themselves, but for our good. This only quickened them in testifying in the Spirit for the partial good of believers of their own generation, and for the full benefit of believers in Gospel times. (Contrast Revelation 22:10.) This was "revealed" to them, lest they should be disheartened in not discovering, with all their inquiry and search, the full particulars of the coming "salvation." To Daniel (Daniel 9:25-26) the "time" was revealed. Our immense privileges, thus brought forth by contrast with theirs (notwithstanding that they had the great honour of Christ's Spirit speaking in them), is an incentive to grater earnestness than even they manifested, (1 Peter 1:13, etc.)
Us. [So B; but 'Aleph (') A C, Vulgate, read "you," as in 1 Peter 1:10.] We, Christian, may understand the prophecies, by the Spirit's aid, in their important part-namely, so far as they have been already fulfilled.
With (in) the Holy Spirit sent down - on Pentecost [So 'Aleph (') C; but A B, Vulgate, Hilary, omit en (G1722) - i:e., 'in,' then translate 'by.'] The evangelists, speaking by the Holy Spirit, were infallible witnesses. "The Spirit of Christ" was in the prophets also (1 Peter 1:11), but not manifestly, as in the Christian Church's first preachers, "SENT down from heaven." How favoured are we in being ministered to, as to "salvation," by prophets and apostles, these now announcing the same things actually fulfilled which those foretold!
Which things - `the things now reported unto you' by the evangelistic preachers: 'Christ's sufferings and the glory that should follow' (1 Peter 1:11-12).
Angels - higher than the prophets (1 Peter 1:10). Angels have not, any more than ourselves, INTUITIVE knowledge of redemption. To look into, х parakupsai (G3879)] - to bend over, so as to look deeply into and see to the bottom (note, James 1:25). As the cherubim bent down to the mercy-seat, the emblem of redemption, in the holiest, so the angels, intently gaze, desiring to fathom the depths of 'the great mystery of godliness: God manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels' (1 Timothy 3:16). Their 'ministry for the heirs of salvation makes them wish to penetrate this mystery, as reflecting such glory on the love, justice, wisdom, and power of their and our Lord. They can know it only through the manifestation in the Church, as they personally have no direct share in it. 'Angels have only the contrast between good and evil, without conversion from sin to righteousness: witnessing such conversion in the Church, they long to penetrate the knowledge of the means whereby it is brought about' (Hofman in Alford).