2 Peter 2:16 - Printer Friendly

ESV: but was rebuked for his own transgression; a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.

NIV: But he was rebuked for his wrongdoing by a donkey--an animal without speech--who spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet's madness.

NASB: but he received a rebuke for his own offense, for a mute donkey, speaking with a human voice, restrained the insanity of the prophet.

CSB: but received a rebuke for his lawlessness: A speechless donkey spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet's madness.

NLT: But Balaam was stopped from his mad course when his donkey rebuked him with a human voice.

KJV: But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet.

NKJV: but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man’s voice restrained the madness of the prophet.

Peter continues to compare false teachers among the Christians of the early church to the Old Testament prophet Balaam, mentioned in verse 15.

In verse 16, Peter refers to the story for which Balaam is most commonly known: the talking donkey. This incident is recorded in Numbers 22:22–35. Balaam was riding to a meeting with Israel's enemy, against the will of God. The donkey he was riding on saw what Balaam did not: the angel of the Lord, on the path ahead, with a drawn sword and ready to strike. Very reasonably, the donkey refused to go forward, no matter how vehemently Balaam beat her. After several stops and beatings, the Lord granted the donkey speech. She promptly protested about the beatings. Only this shock rattled Balaam enough to see the angel.

Peter is making the case that the false teachers in the church are just like Balaam was in that story. They cannot see what would be obvious to even a barnyard animal: God's judgment is waiting on their path.

2 Peter 2:10–22 further describes the sins of the false teachers spreading deception in the early church. Prior verses explained how God judged evil in the past, while saving those who were faithful. This passage describes those who reject Christ in favor of the world as ''enslaved'' by their own sins. No matter what they may claim, such persons prove their spiritual condition by constantly returning to their moral filth.

False teachers had entered the early community of Christians. These deceivers lied to the believers, challenging the authority of Jesus. They also invited others to indulge in their sexual sin. Sadly, there are still versions of these false teachers plaguing the modern Christian community. Peter harshly describes the sins of these ''cursed children,'' the eternal judgment waiting for them, and the tragic impact their deception is having on those enticed by them.

In chapter 1, Peter urged his Christian readers not to be unproductive in their knowledge of Jesus. Peter now describes the false teachers in the church who were leading people away from a true understanding of Christ. These deceivers were lying to the believers and encouraging them to indulge in sexual sin. Peter promises that God’s judgment is coming on these ''cursed children'' and details the tragic impact their lies have on anyone who believes them.

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 4/29/2024 2:47:29 AM