Texts in Conversation
1 Peter quotes Isaiah’s call not to give in to public fear or conspiracy. Isaiah warned people not to panic during a time of crisis, and 1 Peter uses similar language to encourage believers to stay faithful when they are persecuted.
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2500 BCE
1000+ CE
LXX Isaiah 8:12
Septuagint
11 Thus says the Lord, With a strong hand they revolt from the course of the way of this people, saying, 12 Do not say, It is hard, for whatever this people says, is hard: but do not fear their fear, neither be dismayed. 13 Sanctify the Lord himself; and he shall be your fear. 14 And if you shall trust in him, he shall be to you for a sanctuary; and you shall not come against him as against a stumbling-stone, neither as against the falling of a rock: but the house of Jacob is in a snare, and the dwellers in Jerusalem in a pit. 15 Therefore many among them shall be weak, and fall, and be crushed; and they shall draw near, and men shall be taken securely. 16 Then shall those who seal up the law that they may not learn be made manifest.
Date: 100–1 BCE (based on scholarly estimates)
1 Peter 3:14
New Testament
13 For who is going to harm you if you are devoted to what is good? 14 But in fact, if you happen to suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. But do not be terrified of them or be shaken. 15 But set Christ apart as Lord in your hearts and always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess. 16 Yet do it with courtesy and respect, keeping a good conscience, so that those who slander your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame when they accuse you. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if God wills it, than for doing evil.
Date: 80–90 CE (based on scholarly estimates)
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Notes and References
"... Though the author does not introduce the words of Isaiah 8:12-13 with an introductory formula, it is clear that it is an explicit quotation, for: (1) An abrupt and somewhat unusual phrase is in exact agreement with the LXX; (2) The two [key] verbs are identical to the LXX; (3) There follows a contrasting command to reverence the Lord. The author is clearly wishing to direct his readers to the LXX of Isaiah 8:12-13. However, having ascertained the author’s intention to quote, it is now necessary to explore the differences between the two texts ..."
Fika J. van Rensburg, “Isaiah in 1 Peter 3:13-17 Applying Intertextuality to the Study of the Old Testament in the New,” Scriptura 80 (2002): 275–286.
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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