Page 37 - General Epistles (James through Jude) Textbook

“Babylon” (v13) is almost certainly a reference to Rome, which was increasingly called “Babylon” by
both Jews and Christians at this time. Using this term here fits beautifully with Peter’s theme. It reminds
us of the true (satanic) nature of secular power. Christ, however, has conquered it. But also—and more
particularly, at this point—it reminds us of the place of Israel’s exile and of the fact that we too are
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aliens and strangers in the world.

On the same, Robert H. Gundry also observes that Babylon is symbolic of Rome because the Babylon of
Mesopotamia “lost almost all its inhabitants by the beginning of the Christian era.” Besides, Babylon
“occurs as a symbolic name in Revelation 17:4-6, 9, 18; for Rome was the ruling city in the N. T.
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period.” “But most agree that, in keeping with the application of Babylon in Revelation, Peter refers to
Rome, the center of worldly influence in his day.” “Beare, Walls-Stibbs, Selwyn understand this as a
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hidden designation for Rome as in Revelation 17:5; cf. v. 9; 18:2, 10, 21.”

Date.
From 1 Peter itself, “the theme of persecution . . . throughout the epistle suggests that Peter wrote it
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around A. D. 63-64, shortly before his martyrdom in Rome under Nero about A.D. 65.” Meanwhile,
Carson and Moo argue for “A.D. 62-63 . . . because the letter seems to reflect a ‘settled situation’ with
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regard both to theology and church life” and “to leave time before Peter’s martyrdom for 2 Peter.”

Based on sources of information outside 1 Peter and the rest of the books of the entire Bible, R. McL.
Wilson notes that “tradition places the death of Peter in A.D. 64.” That same tradition make a case
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that Peter died in “Rome.” Any date between A. D. 60-64 is possible for the writing of the epistle.
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For Whom (Recipients) did Peter Write 1 Peter?

The letter itself makes its claim; “to those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia,
Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia” (1 Pet. 1:1 [NIV]). Due to some terms, phrases, and expression found in
the letter, the majority of the recipients seems to be the Gentiles. Note; “As obedient children, do not
conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance” (1 Pet. 1:14; cf. 1:18; 2:10; 4:4) [NIV]).
Now, Jews were not living ignorantly because they knew the God they needed to worship through
complete obedience to the Torah (The first five books of the Old Testament). For the Gentiles, they were
ignorant because they did not have the Torah to obey in order to demonstrate their obedience to God.
Further, Peter says that “Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had
not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” (1 Pet. 2:10 [NIV]). Roder M. Raymer notes;
“Gentile readers would have noted Peter’s exhortation to holy living in light of their background of
complete ignorance of God’s Word (1:14). Gentile Christians also would have been greatly encouraged
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by the fact that though they were in ignorance, they were now considered “the people of God” (2:10).
However, references to the “many OT quotations (1 Pet. 1:18) and allusions in the letter” suggest that
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Jewish readers were in view as well. So, Peter wrote this letter to both the Jews and the Gentiles who
were Christians.

Occasion.
It is not easy to identify, therefore, describe reasons that could have prompted Peter to write the
epistle. However, Peter’s reminder to his audience concerning their new birth which was caused by
God’s great mercy could have been one of the reasons for the authorship of 1 Peter. This was needed
because for a little while, his recipients would go through intense suffering in all kinds of trials. These

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