For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
Read it in contextA necessary reminder
Start reading at 2 Peter 1:12 (2 Peter 1:12 to 2 Peter 1:21).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
Peter explains his urgency and points to the witnessed majesty of Christ and the prophetic word rather than invented stories.
1:12Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.
1:13Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;
1:14Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.
1:15Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.
1:16For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
1:17For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
1:18And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.
1:19We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
1:20Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
1:21For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Simon Peter is the named author and the traditional identification. The letter's authorship was disputed in antiquity and remains debated; the self-identification should not be confused with unanimous historical agreement. Biblical references: 2 Peter 1:1; 2 Peter 1:16; 2 Peter 3:1. stated in the text
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (2 Peter 1:1–3:18): The writer, identifying himself as Simon Peter, addresses believers who have received like precious faith, warning about false teachers and scoffers and urging growth and readiness. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Those who have obtained like precious faith, whom the writer also addresses as recipients of a previous letter. The greeting gives no city or province. Biblical references: 2 Peter 1:1; 2 Peter 3:1. stated in the text
What
What is the topic of this reading unit? A necessary reminder. Read 2 Peter 1:12 through 2 Peter 1:21 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? Peter explains his urgency and points to the witnessed majesty of Christ and the prophetic word rather than invented stories. interpretation
When
When are the events or message set? The writer speaks of his approaching death and recalls a former letter and the transfiguration. No calendar date is supplied. book background
Where
What is the book’s geographic setting? The recipients' specific location is not stated in the opening, and the writing location is not explicitly named. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in A necessary reminder (2 Peter 1:12 to 2 Peter 1:21).
Start reading at 2 Peter 1:12. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The letter bears witness to Jesus' majesty and addresses His promised coming. It joins knowledge of Him with growth, holiness, and warnings against falling from steadfastness. See 2 Peter 1:16, 2 Peter 3:9, 2 Peter 3:17, 2 Peter 3:18. interpretation
How should this book guide our response? Grow in the qualities the letter names, resist destructive teaching, and live in view of the promised coming. Retain its warnings rather than treating earlier knowledge as a guarantee of perseverance. interpretation
Cited: 2 Peter 1:12, 2 Peter 1:21, 2 Peter 1:16, 2 Peter 3:9, 2 Peter 3:17, 2 Peter 3:18
Who wrote it, and how we know
Peter the apostleNamed in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe letter names Simon Peter and refers to a former letter and to the transfiguration. 2 Peter 1:12 Peter 1:162 Peter 3:1
Early traditionTradition names Peter, though this letter was accepted more slowly than the first.
What is debatedThis is the most disputed New Testament letter on authorship grounds, ancient and modern.
Peter later recalls the voice heard on the holy mount. His testimony is linked with the Gospel narratives without adding an inferred sequence of details.
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
2 Peter 1
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
The writer identifies himself as Simon Peter and addresses those who have obtained like precious faith. He urges growth, warns about false teachers, and answers scoffing about the Lord's coming without authorizing neglect or date-setting.
Connection to the wholeGod's provision and promises are joined to adding the qualities of faithful life, with explicit exhortation to diligence rather than presumption.
Connection to the wholePeter explains his urgency and points to the witnessed majesty of Christ and the prophetic word rather than invented stories.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
2 Peter
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
The writer identifies himself as Simon Peter and addresses those who have obtained like precious faith. He urges growth, warns about false teachers, and answers scoffing about the Lord's coming without authorizing neglect or date-setting.