Question #405

What does the word "visitation" mean in the verse 1 Peter 2:12?

What does the word "visitation" mean in the verse 1 Peter 2:12?

The Answer:

This examination of the Greek word translated "visitation" establishes that its use here may have two meanings – one temporal (earthly visitation) and the other eschatological (final visitation or Judgment Day). Each of those meanings can have two purposes – visitation for blessing or for punishment. Commentators take both positions. Translations take both positions. For instance, the New Revised Standard Version renders the verse, "Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that, though they malign you as evildoers, they may see your honorable deeds and glorify God when he comes to judge." A good translation would not force a conclusion on the reader by eliminating one of the possibilities. It would use the more general word that includes both possibilities and let the reader determine which of the two is correct. In this case either of the two meanings may possibly be correct, and there are good arguments supporting both.

Some suggest that the reference is to the time when God extended salvation to the Gentiles. This position, however, requires the "day of visitation" to have already occurred when Peter wrote his first epistle, which is generally set between 63-67A.D. Paul had already been converted (32-33 A.D.) and made his first (35-36) and second (46-47) visits to Jerusalem. Other events could be listed, but his clearly demonstrates that "visitation" in this text does not refer to the first Gentiles converted (Acts 10). Moreover, most commentators conclude that Peter's first epistle was written primarily to Gentile Christians.

Thus, if the reference is to be taken as a reference to Gentiles it must have in view Gentiles who are persecuting and belittling Gentile Christians whom Peter is encouraging to live so as to impress unbelievers so that when they do in fact hear the gospel they will recognize their "day of visitation." Jesus seems to use "visitation" in this sense in Luke 19:44, "and shall dash thee to the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation." Read once more the above comment from the Theological Dictionary of the New Testament that the "time of thy visitation" of Christ to which Luke 19:44 refers is Jesus' coming to Mt. Zion or Jerusalem. Their refusal and rejection the Christ and his message, i.e., not recognizing the time of their visitation of grace, would lead to another visitation of judgment and punishment, i.e. the destruction of Jerusalem when not one stone would be left upon another.

While this argument is strong, it does not eliminate the possibility that Peter Had in mind an eschatological occurrence, i.e., final judgment. The holy lives of God's people demonstrate that God's judgments are righteous. It was in this manner that Noah "condemned the world."

A third possibility is that Peter used an ambiguous term because he had both "visitations" tin view. Both "visitation" are clearly taught in scripture. Those who reject the visitation of grace will surely suffer the visitation of punishment.

Following the principle that the Bible is its own best commentary, a similar statement by the same author in the same book is pertinent:

"13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be zealous of that which is good? 14 But even if ye should suffer for righteousness' sake, blessed are ye: and fear not their fear, neither be troubled; 15 but sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord: being ready always to give answer to every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear: 16 having a good conscience; that, wherein ye are spoken against, they may be put to shame who revile your good manner of life in Christ. 17 For it is better, if the will of God should so will, that ye suffer for well-doing than for evil-doing. 18 Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God; being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; 19in which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison, 20that aforetime were disobedient, when the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water: 21 which also after a true likeness doth now save you, even baptism, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the interrogation of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ; 22who is on the right hand of God, having gone into heaven; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him." 1 Peter 3:13-22.