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

18And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him on the holy mount. 19We have also a more sure word of prophecy; to which ye do well that ye take heed, as to a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21For prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

2 Peter 1:20 word by word

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

• Knowingγινώσκωginōskō · to knowG1097
• thisτοῦτοtouto · thatG5124
• firstπρῶτονprōton · firstG4412
• thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
• noοὐou · noG3756
• noπᾶςpas · allG3956
• prophecyπροφητείαprophēteia · prophecyG4394
• scriptureγραφήgraphē · a writingG1124
• isγίνομαιginomai · to beG1096
• privateἴδιοςidios · one's own/privateG2398
• interpretationἐπίλυσιςepilusis · explanationG1955

Cross-references for 2 Peter 1:20

• 2 Peter 3:3Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
• Romans 6:6Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin may be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
• Romans 13:11And this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
• 1 Timothy 1:9Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
• James 1:3Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
• Romans 12:6Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of 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