Words With Nate

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At one other point 1 Peter extends the Markan testimony to Jesus beyond Jesus’ ministry on earth and into the time and circumstances of its implied readers. Mark’s Gospel pays special attention to incidents in which Jesus drove “unclean spirits” out of those who were demon-possessed (see Mk 1:23–28, 32–34; 3:11–12; 5:1–20; 7:24–30; 9:14–29). Although several of these stories are repeated in Matthew and Luke, exorcism has no place among the gifts and ministries mentioned by Paul in his letters and plays only a minor role in narratives of the early Christian mission (see Acts 16:16–18, 19:11–16).

Only 1 Peter develops the theme of victory over evil spirits in connection with Jesus’ resurrection and ascension (1 Pet 3:18–22). On his way to heaven Jesus “made proclamation” to the spirits, described here as “disobedient spirits” and viewed as offspring of an unnatural union between women and evil angels (Gen 6:1–6; see 1 Enoch 15:8–10 and the discussions of Dalton and Michaels 1988). In doing so he gained victory over these spirits on behalf of his followers. The implication drawn in 1 Peter is not that those who have passed (like Noah) through water, the saving water of baptism (1 Pet 3:20), now have the power to perform exorcisms but that they have nothing to fear from human oppressors in Roman society who (like the spirits) are “disobedient” to God (see 1 Pet 2:8; 3:1; 4:17; see Obedience). Peter’s triumphant message is that Jesus Christ reigns from heaven over all “angels and authorities and powers” (1 Pet 3:22).

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~ J. R. Michaels in Dictionary of the Later New Testament and Its Developments, ed. Ralph P. Martin and Peter H. Davids, electronic ed. (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1997).

16 May 2013 ·

"Yet 1 Peter strikes a more even balance than Paul between the teaching and example of Jesus on the one hand and his death and resurrection on the other. More than any other NT letter, 1 Peter completes or extends the testimony of the four Gospels, especially Mark. It does so in three respects: first, it gives the reader a sense of living in a world where Jesus is no longer or not yet visible; second, it accents Christian discipleship as a journey in Jesus’ footsteps to the cross and beyond the cross to heaven; finally, the victory over “unclean spirits” (see Spirits) that began in Jesus’ ministry continues in 1 Peter in his resurrection and ascension, assuring his disciples of vindication against their oppressors when he becomes visible once again."

~ J. R. Michaels in Dictionary of the Later New Testament and Its Developments, ed. Ralph P. Martin and Peter H. Davids, electronic ed. (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1997).

16 May 2013 ·