1 Peter 5:13 Meaning: The Mystery of Babylon's Greeting
She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, greets you. So does Mark, my son.
The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.
She that is in Babylon, elect together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Mark my son.
Salute you doth the assembly in Babylon jointly elected, and Markus my son.
She that is elected with [you] in Babylon salutes you, and Marcus my son.
Meaning in one sentence
What does 'Babylon' mean in 1 Peter 5:13? A literal city or code for Rome? Explore the meaning of this closing greeting and what it means for the church.
Context
Peter is nearing the end of his first letter. He has written to Christians scattered across what is now Turkey, people facing hardship and hostility. After urging them to stand firm and offering a final prayer, he adds personal greetings. Through Silvanus, who likely carried the letter, he sends word from 'she who is in Babylon' and from John Mark, whom he calls his son in the faith. The mention of Babylon immediately raises a question that has stayed with readers for two thousand years.
Key Words
Three Greek words carry the weight of this verse. Babylon (Babulōn) is a name loaded with history. In the Old Testament it stands for exile, idolatry, and human pride. Yet here it is simply the place from which Peter sends greetings, with no explanation. The word itself means 'confusion,' but the greeting brings order, a church that serves God in a city that once defied Him.
Next, chosen together (suneklektē) is a single compound word. The prefix syn means 'with' or 'alongside.' Peter does not say the believers in Babylon are simply chosen; they are chosen with you. Their election is not separate from yours. This word reaches across miles and ties every Christian into the same calling.
Finally, greets (aspazetai) means more than a nod. It suggests drawing someone close, embracing them. The greeting is not formal; it is warm and personal. Peter sends this embrace from a place far away, reminding his readers that distance does not break the bond of faith.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians have understood Babylon differently across the centuries. Many early writers, including Papias and Eusebius, believed Peter was using a coded name for Rome. This view became widely held, especially among Catholic interpreters, and is still defended by some today. Others, such as Calvin, Gill, and Clarke, insist on a literal reading: Babylon in Assyria, where a large Jewish community lived and where Peter, as apostle to the Jews, may have made his base. The Greek text does not settle the question. It says only 'she in Babylon,' leaving room for both interpretations. What all Christians agree on is that the greeting itself binds the church across any distance.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers assume that 'Babylon' here must be a code for Rome, as in the Book of Revelation. In fact, many early and modern commentators argue strongly for the literal city of Babylon in Mesopotamia, where a large Jewish community lived. Peter gives no hint that he is speaking figuratively. While the symbolic reading is possible, it is not the only faithful interpretation.
Living This Out
This verse might seem like a footnote, but it carries a quiet truth. Peter is writing from a city that stood for exile and opposition, yet he speaks of being 'chosen together' with Christians far away. His greeting reminds you that faith in Christ connects you to people you have never met. This week, reach out to a fellow believer who is far from you, a text, a letter, a prayer. That small act of greeting echoes the church's reality: we belong to one another even when distance separates us.
Main takeaway: God's people are chosen together, not apart, and even a greeting can remind us that we belong to one another across every distance.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Peter sent a greeting from a place called Babylon. It is like getting a letter from a friend far away. You can say hello to someone far away too, maybe in a prayer.
For ages 9, 12
Peter was far from the people he wrote to, but he wanted them to know they were chosen together. Even when we cannot see other Christians, we are connected by faith. Saying hello to someone across the world reminds us that God's family is bigger than we can see.
Questions People Ask
Where was Peter when he wrote 1 Peter?
The letter says he was in Babylon, but Christians disagree on whether that means the literal city on the Euphrates or a symbolic name for Rome. Both views have strong supporters, and the text does not settle the question.
Who is 'she who is in Babylon'?
The Greek word is a feminine singular adjective. Some think it refers to the church in Babylon. Others believe it refers to a particular woman, possibly Peter's wife. Early translations often add 'the church' to make the meaning clear.
Who was Mark in relation to Peter?
This is John Mark, the cousin of Barnabas and the author of the Gospel of Mark. Peter calls him 'my son,' likely meaning Peter led him to faith or mentored him closely.
Does 'Babylon' always mean Rome in the Bible?
No. In the Book of Revelation, Babylon is a symbolic name for Rome. But in 1 Peter, many scholars and early commentators argue it refers to the literal city of Babylon in Mesopotamia, where a large Jewish population lived.
Why did Peter call Mark his son?
Peter uses the term 'son' as a term of spiritual affection, meaning Mark was like a son to him in the faith. They had a close working relationship, and early tradition says Mark recorded Peter's memories in his Gospel.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study