2 Peter 1:20 - Printer Friendly

ESV: knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation.

NIV: Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation of things.

NASB: But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture becomes a matter of someone’s own interpretation,

CSB: Above all, you know this: No prophecy of Scripture comes from the prophet's own interpretation,

NLT: Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding,

KJV: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

NKJV: knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation,

In verses 16 through 18, Peter referred to his witness of the "transfiguration" of Jesus (Matthew 17:1–13). This was Peter's most powerful personal confirmation of the prophecies in Scripture about the Messiah. Seeing this event proved, in no uncertain terms, that what Peter had heard from Jesus was absolutely true. The confirmation of those prophecies, and the reality of God, also confirms the prophecies yet to be fulfilled. This includes those about Jesus' return as judge and king.

Peter has been speaking of invented stories and myths, specifically saying his claims are neither of these. Here, Peter emphasizes the fact that the power of prophecy does not come from some human interpretation of events. In other words, the prophecies of Scripture were not "cleverly devised" stories (2 Peter 1:16) or the best guesses of insightful men. These are claims which, if shown to be true, can only be the product of inspiration by God. This is the theme Peter explores in verse 21.

2 Peter 1:16–21 focuses on fulfilled prophecies about Christ. Peter points to his eyewitness experience of the transfiguration as confirmation those prophecies are true. As a result, Peter knows that those prophecies yet to be fulfilled will happen one day. This includes predictions of the return of Christ as judge and king, a point Peter will support in the coming two chapters.

Peter begins this brief letter to Christians by reminding them they are not missing anything they need to lead the good and godly lives they are called to. They must work, then, to add to their faith the goodness and qualities of Jesus. This requires effort, unlike eternal salvation which is not based on our work. Those who lack these positive attributes will live as unproductive and ineffective servants of God, nearly as blind as unbelievers and forgetting that their sins are forgiven. Peter, near death, insists that his eyewitness testimony about the transfiguration confirms that the prophecies about the Messiah are true. Jesus is coming back.

Peter begins his letter by urging his Christian readers not to be unproductive in their knowledge of Jesus. Rather, they should work to add all of Christ’s qualities to their lives. Then Peter begins to lay a foundation to support his attack on the false teachers in the church. He also introduces ideas supporting his declaration that the Day of the Lord is coming. Later chapters will use the background of this first chapter to support those arguments.

Apparently written shortly before his death in the AD 60s, 2 Peter may have been written to the same audience as 1 Peter, which was Christians scattered by persecution. Peter writes this letter to encourage Christians to live out the purpose of their lives in Christ. He warns readers to beware of teachers who claim to be believers, but present a false version of Christianity. And, Peter calls on all Christians to eagerly watch and wait for the return of the Lord.

Accessed 5/3/2024 8:15:30 AM