2 Peter 1:16-21

¹⁶ “For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. ¹⁷ For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such a declaration as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory: “This is My beloved Son with whom I am well pleased”— ¹⁸ and we ourselves heard this declaration made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. ¹⁹ And so we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. ²⁰ But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture becomes a matter of someone’s own interpretation, ²¹ for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”

Verse 16: Peter emphasizes that the message they proclaimed about the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ was not based on cleverly devised stories or myths. Instead, they were eyewitnesses of His majesty. This highlights the authenticity and reliability of their testimony. They had personally witnessed the power and glory of Jesus, which gave weight and credibility to their message.

Verse 17: Peter recalls the transfiguration of Jesus, where He received honor and glory from God the Father. This event further confirms the divine nature and authority of Jesus. The voice from heaven affirmed Jesus as the beloved Son of God, pleasing to the Father. This serves as a powerful testimony to the truth of Jesus’ identity and mission.

Verse 18: Peter emphasizes that he and the other apostles were firsthand witnesses of the voice that came from heaven. They had personally heard this voice when they were with Jesus on the mountain during the transfiguration. This firsthand experience adds further credibility to their testimony and reinforces the truth of Jesus’ divine nature.

Verse 19: Peter affirms the reliability and importance of the prophetic message. Here prophecy is not future telling. Specifically, it is the gospel. The gift of prophecy is teaching and encouraging people with the gospel. He encourages the believers to pay attention to it, comparing it to a light shining in a dark place. This prophetic message serves as a guide and source of illumination in a world filled with darkness and confusion. It points to the coming day when the morning star, symbolizing Christ, will rise in their hearts, bringing clarity and understanding.

Verse 20: Peter emphasizes the divine origin and inspiration of Scripture. He wants the believers to understand that the prophecies recorded in Scripture did not come from the prophet’s own interpretation or imagination. Instead, they were inspired by God himself. This highlights the authority and reliability of Scripture as a source of divine revelation.

Verse 21: Peter concludes by emphasizing that prophecy does not originate from human will or effort. Instead, the prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. This highlights the divine inspiration and authority behind the prophetic messages recorded in Scripture. It reminds us that the words of Scripture are not mere human opinions or interpretations, but they are the very words of God himself.