1 Peter 5:13

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

The church that is at {G1722} Babylon {G897}, elected together with {G4899} you, saluteth {G782} you {G5209}; and {G2532} so doth Marcus {G3138} my {G3450} son {G5207}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Your sister congregation in Bavel, chosen along with you, sends greetings to you, as does my son Mark.

Berean Standard Bible

The church in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, as does my son Mark.

American Standard Version

She that is in Babylon, elect together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Mark my son.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First Peter 5:13 concludes the epistle with a warm and significant greeting from the community where Peter is writing, identified cryptically as "Babylon," and from Marcus, whom Peter affectionately calls "my son." This verse offers crucial insights into the location of Peter's ministry, the interconnectedness of early Christian communities through shared election, and the importance of spiritual fellowship and mentorship in the nascent church.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the final salutation in Peter's first epistle, immediately following his exhortations to elders, younger believers, and all Christians regarding humility, vigilance, and reliance on God's grace amidst suffering ([1 Peter 5:1-11](/1_peter/5-1-11 "1 Peter 5:1-11 - Exhortations to the Church")). It precedes only the final benediction and doxology ([1 Peter 5:12-14](/1_peter/5-12-14 "1 Peter 5:12-14 - Final Greetings and Benediction")). As a customary closing, it reinforces the communal nature of the letter, not merely as a solo theological treatise but as a communication from one part of the body of Christ to another, emphasizing solidarity and shared identity in Christ. The mention of Silvanus in [1 Peter 5:12](/1_peter/5-12 "1 Peter 5:12 - Silvanus, the Faithful Brother") as the letter's scribe or carrier further highlights the network of relationships that facilitated the spread of the gospel and pastoral care in the early church.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The most significant historical and cultural debate surrounding this verse centers on the identity of "Babylon." While a literal city in Mesopotamia or Egypt (such as the Roman military camp "Babylon" near modern Cairo) has been proposed, the overwhelming scholarly consensus is that "Babylon" is a symbolic reference to Rome. This symbolic usage was prevalent in Jewish apocalyptic literature (e.g., [Revelation 17:5](/revelation/17-5 "Revelation 17:5 - Babylon the Great")) to denote a powerful, oppressive empire hostile to God's people, much like ancient Babylon oppressed Israel. Given the widespread persecution faced by Christians in the Roman Empire, and strong early church tradition placing Peter in Rome, this symbolic interpretation is highly plausible. The greeting from "Marcus my son" is widely understood to refer to John Mark, the author of the Gospel of Mark, who had a close association with both Peter and Paul. The practice of sending greetings was a common feature of ancient letters, fostering community and connection across geographical distances.
* **Key Themes:** The verse contributes to several key themes within 1 Peter and the broader New Testament. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Christian unity and fellowship**, demonstrating that believers, though geographically scattered (as seen in [1 Peter 1:1](/1_peter/1-1 "1 Peter 1:1 - Peter's Greeting to the Exiles")), are spiritually "elected together" and connected through mutual care and greetings. Secondly, the reference to "Babylon" highlights the theme of **the church's identity in a hostile world**, often facing opposition from powerful earthly empires, yet remaining distinct and divinely chosen. Thirdly, the mention of "Marcus my son" emphasizes the importance of **spiritual mentorship and familial bonds** within the Christian community, where seasoned apostles nurtured younger leaders. Finally, the verse implicitly touches upon the theme of **apostolic authority and tradition**, as Peter, a foundational apostle, sends greetings from a significant Christian center, reinforcing the communal nature of the early church's leadership.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Babylon (Greek, _Babylṓn'_):** This term, of Hebrew origin, refers to "Babylon, the capitol of Chaldæa (literally or figuratively (as a type of tyranny))." In this context, its figurative use is paramount, almost certainly symbolizing Rome. This symbolic designation would have been understood by Peter's audience, who were familiar with Jewish apocalyptic literature that used "Babylon" to represent oppressive worldly powers, particularly those persecuting God's people. This choice of word subtly communicates the church's perception of Rome as a center of opposition, much like the ancient city of Babylon was to Israel.
* **elected together with (Greek, _syneklektós'_):** Derived from a compound word meaning "chosen in company with, i.e. co-elect (fellow Christian)." This powerful term emphasizes the shared divine election of all believers. It signifies that the church in "Babylon" (Rome) and the churches in Asia Minor, to whom Peter writes, are not merely allied but are equally and jointly chosen by God. This common election forms the bedrock of their spiritual unity and solidarity, transcending geographical distance and external pressures.
* **son (Greek, _huiós'_):** Apparently a primary word, meaning a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship. When Peter refers to Marcus as "my son," it is almost universally understood in a spiritual sense, indicating a deep bond of mentorship, discipleship, or perhaps even conversion. It suggests that Peter played a significant role in Marcus's spiritual journey, similar to how Paul referred to Timothy ([1 Timothy 1:2](/1_timothy/1-2 "1 Timothy 1:2 - Timothy, Paul's True Child in Faith")). This highlights the familial nature of the early Christian community and the importance of spiritual parenting.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The [church that is] at Babylon, elected together with [you], saluteth you;":** This clause conveys a collective greeting from the Christian community in the location Peter is writing from, identified as "Babylon." The phrase "elected together with you" powerfully underscores the spiritual unity between the sending church and the recipients in Asia Minor. It affirms that despite their geographical separation and the trials they might be facing, they share the same divine calling and status as God's chosen people. The act of "saluting" (greeting) expresses warmth, solidarity, and mutual affection within the global body of Christ.
* **"and [so doth] Marcus my son.":** This second clause adds a specific, personal greeting from Marcus. The affectionate designation "my son" indicates a close spiritual relationship, likely one of mentorship or discipleship, where Peter played a formative role in Marcus's faith and ministry. This personal touch reinforces the relational aspect of early Christian ministry and the importance of intergenerational spiritual nurturing. It also provides a valuable historical link, as this Marcus is widely identified with John Mark, the author of the Gospel of Mark, further connecting Peter to the broader apostolic tradition.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Symbolism** through the use of "Babylon" to represent Rome, a common practice in apocalyptic literature to denote a powerful, oppressive empire. This symbolic reference communicates a shared understanding among believers about the nature of the world they inhabit and the spiritual forces at play. Additionally, the phrase "Marcus my son" utilizes **Metonymy** or **Figurative Language**, where "son" is not meant literally but signifies a spiritual relationship of deep affection, mentorship, and shared spiritual heritage. This familial language emphasizes the close-knit and nurturing nature of the early Christian community. The entire verse functions as an **Epistolary Closing**, a conventional feature of ancient letters designed to convey personal greetings and reinforce communal bonds, serving as a final touch of warmth and solidarity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
First Peter 5:13 powerfully encapsulates the theological truth of the church's unity in Christ, regardless of geographical distance or external pressures. The "elected together" status of believers in "Babylon" and Asia Minor highlights that their common identity as God's chosen people transcends all earthly divisions. This shared election means they are part of one spiritual family, bound by God's grace and purpose. The greetings serve as a tangible expression of this spiritual solidarity, demonstrating mutual care and encouragement within the global body of Christ. The verse also subtly reinforces the idea that the church, though often a minority or persecuted group, stands united against the backdrop of worldly powers, symbolized by "Babylon," drawing strength from its divine calling and internal fellowship.

* [Ephesians 1:4](/ephesians/1-4 "Ephesians 1:4 - Chosen in Christ Before the Foundation of the World")
* [John 17:20-23](/john/17-20-23 "John 17:20-23 - Jesus' Prayer for Unity")
* [Romans 16:16](/romans/16-16 "Romans 16:16 - Greetings from the Churches of Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
First Peter 5:13 offers a profound reminder that the church is a global, interconnected family, united not by location or culture, but by divine election and a shared spiritual heritage. In a world often characterized by division and isolation, this verse calls us to recognize and cherish the bonds we share with believers across the globe. It encourages us to cultivate a sense of solidarity with our spiritual siblings, praying for those who are suffering for their faith, and celebrating the triumphs of the gospel in every corner of the earth. The affectionate mention of Marcus as "my son" also underscores the vital importance of spiritual mentorship within the church. It challenges us to invest in the next generation of believers, nurturing their faith and equipping them for ministry, just as Peter likely did with Mark. We are called to be both spiritual parents and children, fostering relationships that build up the body of Christ and ensure the faithful transmission of the gospel from one generation to the next. This verse beckons us to live out our faith in community, recognizing that we are "co-elect" with a vast multitude, all called to glorify God together.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of being "elected together" shape your understanding of your relationship with other believers, both locally and globally?**
* **In what ways can you practically demonstrate solidarity and fellowship with Christians in other parts of the world, especially those facing persecution?**
* **Who has been a "spiritual parent" or mentor in your life, and how can you pay that forward by investing in someone else's spiritual journey?**
* **How does the symbolic use of "Babylon" encourage you to think about the church's relationship with the prevailing culture or political powers of your time?**

### FAQ
**Why is "Babylon" used in this verse, and what does it mean?**

Answer: In 1 Peter 5:13, "Babylon" is widely understood by scholars to be a symbolic or cryptic reference to Rome. This symbolism was common in Jewish apocalyptic literature (e.g., [Revelation 17:5](/revelation/17-5 "Revelation 17:5 - Babylon the Great")) where "Babylon" represented a powerful, oppressive empire hostile to God's people, much like ancient Babylon oppressed Israel. Given the early church tradition placing Peter in Rome and the persecution faced by Christians under Roman rule, it's highly probable that Peter used "Babylon" to discreetly refer to Rome, perhaps for security reasons or to evoke a theological understanding of Rome as the new center of worldly opposition to God's kingdom. It signifies the church's identity as a distinct, divinely chosen community living within, yet often in opposition to, the prevailing worldly powers.

**Who is "Marcus my son" mentioned by Peter?**

Answer: "Marcus my son" is almost universally identified with John Mark, the author of the Gospel of Mark. He was a close associate of both Peter and Paul, and is mentioned in other New Testament books such as Acts ([Acts 12:12](/acts/12-12 "Acts 12:12 - Mark's Mother's House")), Colossians ([Colossians 4:10](/colossians/4-10 "Colossians 4:10 - Mark, Barnabas's Cousin")), and Philemon ([Philemon 1:24](/philemon/1-24 "Philemon 1:24 - Mark, Paul's Fellow Worker")). Peter's affectionate designation of him as "my son" is understood in a spiritual sense, indicating a deep bond of mentorship, discipleship, or perhaps even that Peter led Mark to faith in Christ. This relationship highlights the importance of spiritual parenting and the transmission of faith and ministry from one generation to the next within the early church.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
First Peter 5:13, though a brief closing salutation, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in its affirmation of the church's unity and shared election. The greeting from the "church that is at Babylon, elected together with you" points directly to the work of Christ, who, through His atoning sacrifice and resurrection, established a new covenant community, chosen and called out of the world. Just as God chose Israel, so too has He, in Christ, chosen a new people from every tribe and nation ([Revelation 5:9](/revelation/5-9 "Revelation 5:9 - The Redeemed from Every Tribe")). This "election together" is not based on human merit or geographical location, but solely on God's sovereign grace revealed in Jesus Christ ([Ephesians 1:4-6](/ephesians/1-4-6 "Ephesians 1:4-6 - Chosen in Christ")). The solidarity expressed in the greeting from "Babylon" (Rome) to the believers in Asia Minor foreshadows the global, unified body of Christ, a reality brought into being by the Spirit of Christ who indwells all believers, breaking down barriers of hostility ([Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Our Peace")). Furthermore, Peter's affectionate reference to "Marcus my son" reflects the spiritual family forged in Christ, where believers are adopted into God's household through faith in His Son ([Galatians 4:4-7](/galatians/4-4-7 "Galatians 4:4-7 - Adoption as Sons")). This verse, therefore, is a beautiful testament to the Christ-initiated and Christ-sustained fellowship that binds all believers across time and space into one glorious, chosen family, reflecting the very unity of the Godhead ([John 17:20-23](/john/17-20-23 "John 17:20-23 - Jesus' Prayer for Unity")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.

Acts 12:25

And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled [their] ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.

Revelation 18:2

And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

2 John 1:13

The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.

Psalms 87:4

¶ I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this [man] was born there.

Revelation 17:5

And upon her forehead [was] a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.