Author: Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ (
1:1).
Time of Writing: Probably around A.D. 69, after Paul's martyrdom (cf.
3:15-16) and before the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, as indicated by the allusions to the decline of the church; close to the time of Peter's martyrdom (
1:14).
Place of Writing: Perhaps Rome, where the tradition in church history places Peter's martyrdom.
Recipients: The Jewish believers in dispersion in the Gentile world (see
1:1 and note 3).
