2 Peter 1:15-21

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Peter 1:19

Though this word of prophecy is generally understood of the writings and prophecies of the Old Testament concerning Christ, yet different ways are taken to fix the comparison: some think the sense is, that they are more sure than the cunningly devised fables, 2 Peter 1:16 but as these have no certainty nor authority in them, but are entirely to be rejected, the apostle would never put the sacred writings in comparison with them: and it is most clear, that the comparison lies between this... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Peter 1:20

Knowing this first ,.... Especially, and in the first place, this is to be known, observed, and considered; that no prophecy of the Scripture , that is contained in Scripture, be it what it will, is of any private interpretation : not that this is levelled against the right of private judgment of Scripture; or to be understood as if a private believer had not a right of reading, searching, examining, and judging, and interpreting the Scriptures himself, by virtue of the unction which... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Peter 1:21

For the prophecy ,.... The whole Scripture, all the prophetic writings; so the Jews call the Scriptures הנבואה , "the prophecy" F7 R. Eliahu in Adderet apud Trigland. de Sect Karaeorum, c. 10. p. 153. , by way of eminence, and from the subject matter of the sacred word: came not in old time by the will of man ; was not brought into the world at first, or in any period of time, as and when man would, according to his pleasure, and as he thought fit: neither Moses, nor David, nor... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 1:15

Moreover, I will endeavor - And is not this endeavor seen in these two epistles? By leaving these among them, even after his decease, they had these things always in remembrance. After my decease - Μετα την εμην εξοδον· After my going out, i.e. of his tabernacle. The real Peter was not open to the eye, nor palpable to the touch; he was concealed in that tabernacle vulgarly supposed to be Peter. There is a thought very similar to this in the last conversation of Socrates with his... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 1:16

Cunningly devised fables - Σεσοφισμενοις μυθοις . I think, with Macknight and others, from the apostle's using εποπται , eye witnesses, or rather beholders, in the end of the verse, it is probable that he means those cunningly devised fables among the heathens, concerning the appearance of their gods on earth in human form. And to gain the greater credit to these fables, the priests and statesmen instituted what they called the mysteries of the gods, in which the fabulous appearance of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 1:17

For he received honor and glory - In his transfiguration our Lord received from the Father honor in the voice or declaration which said, This is my Son, the beloved One, in whom I have delighted. And he received glory, when, penetrated with, and involved in, that excellent glory, the fashion of his countenance was altered, for his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white and glistening, exceeding white like snow; which most glorious and preternatural appearance was a confirmation... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 1:18

And this voice - we heard - That is, himself, James, and John heard it, and saw this glory; for these only were the εποπται , beholders, on the holy mount. It is worthy of remark that our blessed Lord, who came to give a new law to mankind, appeared on this holy mount with splendor and great glory, as God did when he came on the holy mount, Sinai, to give the old law to Moses. And when the voice came from the excellent glory, This is my Son, the beloved One, in whom I have delighted; hear... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 1:19

We have also a more sure word of prophecy - Εχομεν βεβαιοτερον τον προφητικον λογον· We have the prophetic doctrine more firm or more confirmed; for in this sense the word βεβαιοω is used in several places in the New Testament. See 1 Corinthians 1:6 ; : Even as the testimony of Christ εβεβαιωθη , was Confirmed, among you. 2 Corinthians 1:21 ; : Now he which stablisheth us, ὁ δε βεβαιων ἡμας , who Confirmeth Us. Colossians 2:7 ; : Rooted and built up in him, and established in... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 1:20

Knowing 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 επιλυσις signifies also impetus, impulse; and probably this is the best sense here; not by the mere private impulse of his own mind. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 1:21

For the prophecy came not in old time - That is, in any former time, by the will of man - by a man's own searching, conjecture, or calculation; but holy men of God - persons separated from the world, and devoted to God's service, spake, moved by the Holy Ghost. So far were they from inventing these prophetic declarations concerning Christ, or any future event, that they were φερομενοι , carried away, out of themselves and out of the whole region, as it were, of human knowledge and... read more

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