Question

First Peter was probably written in which century?

1) In the middle of the first century
2) In the late first century
3) In the middle of the second century
4) In the late second century

Answer 1

First Peter was likely written in the late first century, around 60-65 AD, before the collapse of the Parthian Empire which occurred in the third century.

Step-by-step explanation:

The epistle of First Peter was likely written in the late first century. Specifically, most scholars agree that it was composed sometime around 60-65 AD, which places it within the middle to late first century. This timeframe corresponds to a period following the death and resurrection of Jesus, but before the collapse of the Parthian Empire which occurred in the third century (specifically 224 AD). It is important to note that the Christian texts, including the letters like First Peter, were part of the early formation of Christian doctrine, which evolved significantly during the first few centuries after Christ.

Answer 2

The dating of First Peter involves historical and contextual analysis. First, consider the internal evidence within the text, where Peter refers to the recipients as experiencing persecution (1 Peter 1:6-7), aligning with the Neronian persecution in the late first century. Therefore, the correct answer is 2) In the late first century.

Step-by-step explanation:

Linguistic analysis indicates a usage of Greek consistent with the period. Furthermore, early church fathers like Clement of Rome referenced First Peter, supporting its composition in the late first century. Collectively, these factors strongly suggest a late first-century dating for First Peter.

Scholars often turn to internal clues within a text to establish its date of origin. In the case of First Peter, the reference to persecution aligns with the historical context of the Neronian persecution in the late first century. This period saw widespread persecution of Christians under Emperor Nero, making the mentioned suffering a likely reference to these events. Additionally, linguistic features within the text match the Greek commonly used during the late first century, further supporting this dating.

External sources also contribute to the dating of First Peter. Early Christian writings, such as the letter of Clement of Rome, make references to First Peter. Clement's letter is typically dated around AD 95-97, providing an external confirmation of the epistle's existence in the late first century. Combining these internal and external pieces of evidence, scholars conclude that First Peter was likely written in the late first century, aligning with the historical and linguistic context of that period. Therefore, the correct answer is 2) In the late first century.