What does 1 Peter 5:13 mean?

The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son. 1 Peter 5:13

Explanation

1 Peter 5:13 concludes the first epistle of the Apostle Peter with personal greetings to the recipients of his letter, who are implied to be Christians spread throughout Asia Minor. The mention of “Babylon” is typically understood as a cryptic reference to Rome, where many scholars believe Peter was based at the time of his writing. This is a common practice in the New Testament, where code names are often used for places of significant political power, especially when they are seen as oppressive or hostile to Christians.

Marcus is regarded as John Mark, the author of the Gospel of Mark and a companion of both Peter and Paul, as mentioned in Acts and other epistles. Here, he is affectionately referred to as Peter’s “son,” which is commonly interpreted to mean not a biological relationship but a spiritual one, suggesting that Peter might have been instrumental in converting Mark to the Christian faith or that he had a very close mentor-mentee relationship with him.

The use of the term “elected together with you” underscores the unity and universality of the Christian church, emphasizing that the community in Babylon is united in purpose and spirit with the communities to whom Peter is writing.

Historical Context

This verse is situated at the end of the First Epistle of Peter, a letter traditionally believed to have been written by the Apostle Peter in the latter part of his life, around AD 60-65. The epistle was likely penned from Rome, which is symbolically referred to as “Babylon.” The reference would have been clear to early Christians, who saw Rome as a place that both hosted and persecuted the church.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse touches on themes such as the universal church, spiritual kinship, and mentorship in faith. The concept of being “elected together” suggests a predestination or divine selection of individuals to be a part of the Christian community.

From a Catholic perspective, the fatherly relationship between Peter and Mark might be seen as symbolic of apostolic succession, where the spiritual authority of the apostles is passed down through the generations.

Protestant interpretations might focus on the spiritual unity and priesthood of all believers, emphasizing the equality of the faithful under God and the metaphorical family relationships that form within the church body.

Practical Applications

The concept of Christian unity and spiritual family can have profound implications for modern believers. It suggests that fostering strong, mentor-like relationships within the church is important and that all members of the Christian community should see themselves as “elected” or chosen for a collective purpose, transcending geographical and cultural boundaries.

Cross-References

• 2 Timothy 4:11: “Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.”
• Acts 12:12: “And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.”
• Revelation 17:5, 9: “And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH… And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.”

Language Study

In the original Greek:

• “Babylon” (Βαβυλῶν): Typically taken as a metaphor for Rome, given the socio-political climate and persecution of the time.
• “Elected” (συνεκλεκτή): From the Greek root word “eklektós,” meaning chosen or selected, implying a divine choice.
• “Saluteth” (ἀσπάζεται): From the Greek “aspazomai”, meaning to greet warmly or welcome.
• “Marcus” (Μάρκος): The Greek form of Mark or John Mark, known from the Acts of the Apostles and the Gospel of Mark.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparing “Babylon” to Rome draws parallels to the Old Testament, where Babylon was an empire known for its power and captivity of the Israelites. The metaphor in 1 Peter 5:13 similarly depicts Rome as a current center of power, potentially hostile to Christianity.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern science does not directly address the historical or literary aspects of this verse. However, the study of history, archaeology, and textual analysis offers insight into the context of the verse and the likely validity of its references.

Commentaries

• Catholic Commentaries often focus on the spiritual father-son bond between Peter and Mark as a reflection of Church hierarchy and the succession of clergy.
• Protestant scholars typically highlight the theme of universal priesthood and brotherhood among believers, as well as the importance of mentorship and community support.
• Historical-critical scholars debate the true authorship of 1 Peter, with some doubting Peter’s authorship, arguing for a later date and an anonymous writer using Peter’s name for authority.