Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Peter 1:12

12 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 .

Unto which Prophets.

Viz. by the Spirit of Christ that was in them,

who lived before Christ's coming in the Flesh.

Not only Apostles, but Believers, who live since Christ came.

Declare and foretel. The preaching of the Word is called a Ministry, Acts 6.4. and 2 Cor. 4.1. and 5.18.

The whole Doctrine of the Gospel concerning Christ's Person, Offices, Benefits, Kingdom, and the whole New Testament-state.

Viz. as fulfilled, and actually exhibited now, which were only foretold by the Prophets.

The Apostles and other Gospel-Ministers assistant to them: the sense is, The Prophets under the Old Testament did, by the Spirit, foresee, and foretel Christ's Passion, Resurrection, Ascension, the Effusion of the Spirit, the Enlargement of the Church, by the Calling of the Gentiles▪ &c. but did not live to see their own Prophecies, and God's Promises fulfilled, Heb. 11.13. as you now do. They did spread the Table that you might feed at it; they had but a taste by Faith, and at a distance, of those things you feast upon in their Accomplishment; yet they did not grudge to declare these things, being instructed by the Spirit, that what they spake of, should not be fulfilled in their time, but in the Generations to come; that so ye▪ by comparing what they said should come to pass, with what you have now been assured is come to pass, may be confirmed and established in the Belief of the Truth, beeing the same held forth by the Prophets formerly, and Gospel-Ministers at present:

Christ promised to send the Spirit, Luke 24.49. Iohn 14.26. and 15.26. and 16.7. and actually sent him, Acts 2. the Apostles, not of themselves, but acted by this Spirit, have declared unto you the fulfilling of those things, which the former Prophets, by the instinct and Power of the same Spirit (the Spirit of Christ, which was in them) did foretel, would in their proper season come to pass.

The things before-said to be reported by them that preached the Gospel.

It seems to be an Allusion to the Cherubims that stood above the Ark, with their Faces toward the Mercy-seat, which was a Type of Christ. The word signifies a bowing down the Head, and stooping to look into a thing, Luke 24.12. Iohn 20.5. and implies a prying, or looking narrowly into it; which argues an earnest desire to know it. The Angels thus look into the Mysteries of the Gospel, as desirous to see the Accomplishment of them, admiring the manifold Grace and Wisdom of God in them, Eph. 3.10. and rejoicing in the Salvation of Sinners, which is the end, and effect of God's revealing them.

Marginal references: Dan. 9.24. and 12.9, 13.; Acts 2.4.