The answer is: 16

(1 Peter 3:20) x (John 19:18) = (8) x (2) = 16

In a fascinating dive into biblical numbers, we have two significant groupings: the eight survivors of the flood, as found in 1 Peter 3:20, and the two individuals crucified alongside Jesus in John 19:18. Both figures deepen our understanding of themes surrounding salvation and sacrifice.

To think about Noah's flood, it's worth remembering the remarkable narrative of God’s covenant with humanity afterward. That golden rainbow isn’t just folklore; it symbolizes a promise that includes all creation, signaling restoration rather than destruction. Eight people within Noah's family highlight how, from a drastic cleansing, life began anew—perhaps serving as an ancient metaphor for hope and divine intention.

Turning to the cross, the two figures crucified with Christ add layers to the crucifixion story. Though they often go unnamed, the Gospels reveal that one of the thieves repented and asked Jesus to remember him in the kingdom—a beautiful picture of forgiveness and redemption. They briefly flashed across the path of our salvation timeline yet remind us that history brackets outcasts and the marginalized with great significance.

Babylonian cultures often used numbers ritually, and you’ll see in biblical traditions this link resonates. Jewelers of ancient Hebrew likewise delighted in crafting meaningful symbols, which for many, paints portraits of divine wisdom interwoven through the fabric of human experience. Tempted to argue these numbers are trivial? Each is more buoyant than that; they are filled with meaning that layers our understanding of arcane sentiments of faith. Plus, that totals a neat 16, reminding us numbers speak beyond mere math—they tell an evolving story!