in which he also went and preached to the spirits in prison,
preached to the spirits -- The [best] interpretation understands “spirits” (Gk. pneumasin, plural) as referring to the unsaved (human spirits) of Noah’s day. Christ, “in the spirit” (1 Peter 3:18), proclaimed the gospel “in the days of Noah” (1 Peter 3:20) through Noah. The unbelievers who heard Christ’s preaching “did not obey … in the days of Noah” (1 Peter 3:20) and are now suffering judgment (they are “spirits in prison,” v. 19). 