1 Peter 5:13 - Printer Friendly

ESV: She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son.

NIV: She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark.

NASB: She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, and so does my son, Mark.

CSB: She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, as does Mark, my son.

NLT: Your sister church here in Babylon sends you greetings, and so does my son Mark.

KJV: The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.

NKJV: She who is in Babylon, elect together with you, greets you; and so does Mark my son.

Peter greets the Christian churches of Asia Minor on behalf of "she who is in Babylon." Some scholars speculate that Peter may have been referring to his wife. And yet, most agree this "she" is more likely another local church, probably the Christian church in Rome.

Why Rome? For one thing, it is unlikely there was any church in the historical city of Babylon at this time. And, it is very likely Peter was writing this letter from Rome. Also, Peter's Jewish readers would recognize "Babylon" as the traditional metaphor for those opposed to God's people. Rome, in that time, was the geographical and political source of that opposition. Peter may have been protecting the Christians in Rome by using Babylon as a stand-in.

In any case, Peter affirms that those Christians who are with him have been chosen by God for His purposes. The same applies to the Christians who would read his letter: they have been chosen. This connects the end of his letter to the beginning (1 Peter 1:2). Believers around the world share a common a sense of their belonging to the family of God and being set aside for His specific purposes. This is true no matter how their specific circumstances differ.

Finally, Peter offers greetings from Mark, whom he refers to as a "son." Most likely, this means a son in the faith and not his actual child. This is very likely the same Mark, also known as John Mark, the cousin of Barnabas, who travelled and ministered with Paul. In Colossians, Paul mentions that Mark was with him in Rome (Colossians 4:10), adding to the idea that Peter was likely writing from Rome.

1 Peter 5:12–14 brings Peter’s letter to the scattered Christians of Asia Minor to a close. He commends Silvanus (Silas), who will likely deliver the letter to the churches. He offers greetings from the church where he is, including a greeting from his ''spiritual'' son (not likely his actual child) Mark. Finally, Peter asks that they greet each other, on his behalf, with a kiss, and he signs off with a prayer for peace for all Christians.

Peter concludes his letter to the scattered Christians in Asia Minor with specific instructions. Primarily, these are targeted at those in the role of elder, about how to lead. He also provides counsel for all believers on living in humility toward each other and toward God. In humility, we wait and trust God to exalt us in His time. In humility, we cast our cares on Him. But we’re also called to remain alert, watching out for the devil and resisting him by focusing on staying firm in our faith. After this brief life of suffering, our God will bring our suffering to an end and make us strong forever.

Thus far, Peter has affirmed that Christians have been chosen by God and set aside for His purposes. We should not be surprised by suffering, and we should not respond to persecution by rebelling against our human authorities. Our suffering in both cases points the world to our hope in Christ and allows us to follow in Jesus’ steps. Peter here concludes his letter with instructions to the elders, teaching on humility, and a final warning to be sober-minded and alert.

Some 30 years after the resurrection of Jesus, Christians are facing greater persecution for their faith. How should they respond? How should we respond to suffering today? The apostle Peter writes this letter both to comfort believers and to encourage them to stay strong. He urges them to put all their hope in their perfect future with Christ, and to obey and trust Him in the present, even in their suffering. Christ suffered greatly; now the Christ-followers have the opportunity to follow Him even in this, showing His grace and power in their hopefulness, obedience, and faith.