Bible Dictionary
INTERROGATION
Interrogation is questioning, especially the questioning associated with baptism or an appeal toward God from a good conscience. The term appears in 1 Peter 3:21.
Definition
Interrogation is a question or appeal made in connection with a person’s response toward God. The term may refer to a question asked of a convert before baptism or to the convert’s appeal to God from a good conscience.
Biblical Usage
The American Standard Revised Version uses “interrogation” in 1 Peter 3:21 where the King James Version has “answer.” The expression may describe the question put to a convert before baptism or the convert’s appeal toward God, and baptism provides the occasion for it.
Historical Background
The underlying Greek word occurs only once in the cited English versions and is understood by the supplied material to support the revised rendering.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>in-ter-o-ga'-shun (eperotema): This word is not found at all in the King James Version, and once only in the American Standard Revised Version (1Pe 3:21), where it replaces the word "answer" of the King James Version. This change according to Alford and Bengel is correct. "The interrogation of a good conscience" may refer to the question asked of a convert before baptism (compare Ac 8:37), or the appeal of the convert to God (compare 1 Joh 3:20-21). The opportunity to do this was given in baptism.</p>