Bible Strands
1 Peter 5:13
The church in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, as does my son Mark.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The author Peter concludes his letter to dispersed believers, writing through Silvanus to urge them to stand firm in God’s grace before sending final greetings. He speaks from a place identified as Babylon, closing the epistle with a personal message from himself and Mark.
The words — Ἀσπάζεται (Aspazetai) translates literally to "greets," and συνεκλεκτὴ (suneklektē) means "elected together" or "chosen alongside." The text uses these terms to establish the greeting as a shared reality of grace among believers rather than a mere social formality.
The thread — The reference to Babylon echoes Psalm 87:4’s symbolic use of the city to represent Gentile nations, while the mention of Mark aligns with Acts 12:12 and Acts 12:25, which place him in Jerusalem’s early church and alongside Barnabas and Saul. These passages trace Mark’s integration into the apostolic circle and the theological recontextualization of Babylon.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to receive the greetings as a tangible sign of church unity across hostile territory and to recognize Mark’s authorized role in the apostolic mission. It demands practical solidarity with the scattered believers and a commitment to the true grace of God that sustains them.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.
Cross-references
- Acts 12:12 And when he had realized this, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered together and were praying.
- Psalms 87:4 “I will mention Rahab and Babylon among those who know Me—along with Philistia, Tyre, and Cush—when I say, ‘This one was born in Zion.’”
- Acts 12:25 When Barnabas and Saul had fulfilled their mission to Jerusalem, they returned, bringing with them John, also called Mark.
- Revelation 18:2 And he cried out in a mighty voice: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a lair for demons and a haunt for every unclean spirit, every unclean bird, and every detestable beast.
- 2 John 1:13 The children of your elect sister send you greetings.
- Revelation 17:5 And on her forehead a mysterious name was written: BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.