What are “these things”?
Peter has been speaking about salvation. The prophets searched and prayed over the message they received about the Messiah’s sufferings and the glory that would follow. Peter says they were serving later generations, including those who would hear the gospel preached through the Holy Spirit (1 Peter 1:10-12).
So the angels are not merely curious about religious ideas. They are looking into the good news that Jesus came, suffered for sin, rose in glory, and brings people into God’s promised grace. This is the centre of Peter’s thought.
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.
An eager, close look
The Greek word behind “look into” carries the picture of bending down to peer closely at something. It suggests focused, eager attention. Peter’s point is that the gospel is so wonderful that even heavenly beings keep looking at it.
That does not mean angels are ignorant in every sense, or that God has left them confused. They are creatures, not God, and Jesus says there are things known to the Father that angels do not know (Matthew 24:36). Yet they see enough to marvel at what God is doing.
Why salvation astonishes angels
Angels worship and serve God, but the New Testament speaks of Christ taking hold of Abraham’s descendants, not of angels, in his work of saving help (Hebrews 2:16). Human salvation reveals grace in a distinctive way: guilty people are forgiven, brought near to God, and made part of his family through Christ.
Paul also says that God’s many-sided wisdom is made known through the church to heavenly rulers and powers (Ephesians 3:10). Every rescued life tells a true story about God’s character. His justice is not ignored, his love is not held back, and his promise is kept in Jesus.
To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
A reason for wonder, not pride
Peter is not trying to make readers feel important because angels are watching. He wants suffering Christians to see the greatness and certainty of the grace they have received. The prophets pointed towards it, the Spirit announced it, and angels marvel at it. That is solid ground when life feels shaky.
There is joy in heaven when a sinner turns to God (Luke 15:10). So if you trust Christ, your salvation is never ordinary or small. Read 1 Peter 1:10-12 slowly, and let Peter’s picture invite you to wonder again at the gospel rather than treating it as familiar background noise.