Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Peter 5:13

13 The Church that is at Babylon elected together with you c saluteth you, and so doth Marcus my son d.

Babylon in Chaldea, where it is most probable the Apostle was at the writing of this Epistle; the Iews being very numerous in those parts, as having settled themselves there ever since the Captivity; and Peter being an Apostle of the Circumcision, his Work lay much thereabout. The Papists would have Babylon here to be Rome, as Rev. 17. and that Peter gives it that Name rather than its own, because being escaped out of Prison at Ierusalem, Act. 12.12, 25. he would not have it known where he was. But how comes he that had been so bold before, to be so timorous now? Did this become the Head of the Church, the Vicar of Christ, and Prince of the Apostles? And is it probable he should live 25 years at Rome (as they pretend he did) and yet not be known to be there? Where-ever he was, he had Mark now with him, who is said to have died at Alexandria the eighth year of Nero, and Peter not till six years after: If Mark then did first constitute the Church of Alexandria, and govern it (as they say he did) for many years, it will be hard to find him and Peter at Rome together. But if they will needs have Rome be meant by Babylon, let them enjoy their Zeal, who rather than not find Peter's Chair would go to Hell to seek it; and are more concerned to have Rome be the Seat of Peter, than the Church of Christ.