2 Peter 1:20

2 Peter 1:20 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
• New International Version (NIV)Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things.
• English Standard Version (ESV)knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation.
• New King James Version (NKJV)knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation,

Context of 2 Peter 1:20

18We heard that voice speak to him from heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain. 19So we regard the words of the prophets as confirmed beyond all doubt. You’re doing well by paying attention to their words. Continue to pay attention as you would to a light that shines in a dark place as you wait for day to come and the morning star to rise in your hearts. First, you must understand this: No prophecy in Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation. 21No prophecy ever originated from humans. Instead, it was given by the Holy Spirit as humans spoke under God’s direction.

2 Peter 1:20 word by word

τοῦτο πρῶτον γινώσκοντες ὅτι πᾶσα προφητεία γραφῆς ἰδίας ἐπιλύσεως οὐ γίνεται.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Knowingγινώσκωginōskō · to knowG1097
• thisοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• firstπρῶτονprōton · firstG4412
• thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
• noοὐou · noG3756
• prophecyπροφητείαprophēteia · prophecyG4394
• of the scriptureγραφήgraphē · a writingG1124
• isγίνομαιginomai · to beG1096
• ofἐπίλυσιςepilusis · explanationG1955
• anyπᾶςpas · allG3956
• privateἴδιοςidios · one's own/privateG2398

Cross-references for 2 Peter 1:20

• 2 Peter 3:3First, you must understand this: In the last days people who follow their own desires will appear. These disrespectful people will ridicule ⌞God’s promise⌟
• Romans 6:6We know that the person we used to be was crucified with him to put an end to sin in our bodies. Because of this we are no longer slaves to sin.
• Romans 13:11You know the times ⌞in which we are living⌟. It’s time for you to wake up. Our salvation is nearer now than when we first became believers.
• 1 Timothy 1:9For example, a person must realize that those laws are not intended for people who have God’s approval. Laws are intended for lawbreakers and rebels, for ungodly people and sinners, for those who think nothing is holy or sacred, for those who kill their fathers, their mothers, or other people.
• James 1:3You know that such testing of your faith produces endurance.
• Romans 12:6God in his kindness gave each of us different gifts. If your gift is speaking what God has revealed, make sure what you say agrees with the Christian faith.

Commentaries on 2 Peter 1:20

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 20Knowing this first - Considering this as a first principle, that no prophecy of the Scripture, whether that referred to above, or any other, is of any private interpretation - proceeds from the prophet's own knowledge or invention, or was the offspring of calculation or conjecture. The word signifies also impetus, impulse; and probably this is the best sense here; not by the mere private impulse of his own mind.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 20Knowing this first - Bearing this steadily in mind as a primary and most important truth. That no prophecy of the Scripture - No prophecy contained in the inspired records. The word “scripture” here shows that the apostle referred particularly to the prophecies recorded in the Old Testament. The remark which he makes about prophecy is general, though it is designed to bear on a particular class of the prophecies. Is of any private interpretation - The…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 16-21Verses 16-21 The gospel is no weak thing, but comes in power, Ro 1:16. The law sets before us our wretched state by sin, but there it leaves us. It discovers our disease, but does not make known the cure. It is the sight of Jesus crucified, in the gospel, that heals the soul. Try to dissuade the covetous worlding from his greediness, one ounce of gold weighs down all reasons. Offer to stay a furious man from anger by arguments, he has not patience to hear…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 20-21comes from one’s own interpretation: This probably means that the prophets did not have to interpret God’s visions by themselves. God made the meaning clear to them so they could speak his message clearly and reliably.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2020. "Forasmuch as ye know this" (1Pe 1:18). first--the foremost consideration in studying the word of prophecy. Laying it down as a first principle never to be lost sight of. is--Greek, not the simple verb, to be, but to begin to be, "proves to be," "becometh." No prophecy is found to be the result of "private (the mere individual writer's uninspired) interpretation" (solution), and so origination. The Greek noun epilusis, does not mean in itself…Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Peter 1:20

• Word of God

In the dictionaries

• Bible
• Calling
• Corruption
• Cunningly
• Diligence
• Escape
• Glory
• Prophecy
• Prophet
• Scripture

Commentaries on 2 Peter 1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings