1 Peter 5:13

The church. The clause reads literally, “she that is in Babylon salutes you.” The word “church” has been supplied by the translators, though important textual evidence may also be cited (cf. p. 10) for so doing. Whether Peter here refers to some honorable Christian woman, perhaps his wife, who accompanied him on his travels (see on 1 Cor. 9:5), or to the Christian church “at Babylon” is not certain. Most commentators prefer the latter explanation.

Babylon. There is no evidence to support the idea that Peter ever labored in literal Babylon. On the other hand, tradition locates his closing labors and violent death at Rome (cf. AA 537, 538). It is known that early Christians often used the cryptic title “Babylon” when speaking of the Roman capital, to avoid political reprisals (see on Rev. 14:8). There is general agreement among commentators that Peter here uses the term Babylon for a veiled reference to Rome.

Elected together. Gr. suneklekte, “chosen along with [others].” The believers in Rome were “chosen along with” the believers in Asia Minor, to whom Peter wrote (see on ch. 1:1, 2). For comment on Christian election see on Rom. 8:33.

Marcus my son. Marcus, a Latin name; in Greek, Markos; in English, Mark. See Vol. V, pp. 563, 564. Some hold that Mark was Peter’s actual son, and see in this verse a simple reference to Peter’s married status. However, the majority of commentators interpret “my son” metaphorically, regarding him as Peter’s spiritual son and companion in the apostle’s later ministry. Compare Paul’s similar references to Timothy and Titus in 1 Tim. 1:2; Titus 1:4.