Exiles, Not Enemies: Petrine Self-Determination in the Face of Empire
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for Authors• What is the main question addressed by the research?
The article deals with the question of whether "dispersion" and "being alien" in 1 Pt can be understood on the background not only of Jewish diaspora experiences but also of Roman exile. This sheds new light on how the author and his addressees saw themselves as a minority within the non-Christian majority society. Obviously, they felt alienated but did not want to conceive of the majority as their enemies. Exile is not a punishment but rather a way for respected members of the political and cultural elite to withdraw and thereby avoid violent conflicts.
• Do you consider the topic original or relevant to the field? Does it address a specific gap in the field? Please also explain why this is/ is not the case.
Yes, this is original and relevant. Usually, only the Jewish background is considered. The relevance of this is not denied by the author but rather modified by taking into account also the Roman (and Greek) background.
• What specific improvements should the authors consider regarding the methodology? What further controls should be considered?
The methodology is sound. I do not see any problems. Especially the introduction is very balanced.
• Are the conclusions consistent with the evidence and arguments presented and do they address the main question posed? Please also explain why this is/is not the case.
The sections on Jewish diaspora experience and Roman exile are based on new, reliable scholarly literature and (some) original sources. I think, for a short article this is appropriate.
• Are the references appropriate?
Only English works are cited. However, I cannot know whether the author would have had scholarly literature in other languages available. So, I think, this is okay.
• Any additional comments on the tables and figures.
No. Just, as already mentioned, the many typos should be corrected.
Comments on the Quality of English LanguageThere are still many typos and mistakes, e.g. forgotten brackets.
Author Response
The reviewer has requested a close proof read- done, esp for brackets
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThis is a tremendous paper -- it picks up on the latest scholarship and more nuanced understanding of culture and identity in the Graeco-Roman world of the first century and makes a significant contribution to understanding 1 Peter within that.
Author Response
No changes requested- and I thank the reviewer for kind words....
Reviewer 3 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsI have not real criticisms of this study. The author is clearly knowledgeable in latest research both into Judaism and into the Roman world. Original sources are used and indicate the author's knowledge of the relevant Jewish and Roman literature. The bibliography is good, being relevant to the study.
There are some typos:
Line 44: the opening bracket for the reference is missing
Line 45: "behaviour a" should be corrected
Line 358: opening bracket for the reference is missing
Line 391: should "that" be "than"?
Author Response
Line 44: the opening bracket for the reference is missing
Line 45: "behaviour a" should be corrected
Line 358: opening bracket for the reference is missing
Line 391: should "that" be "than"? I changed the grammar to avoid two "that"s in close proximity. Now reads: "Last, but not least, the idea that exile is temporary, again diminishes charges of being enemies or criminals..."
All four corrections made
