2 Peter 1:16
What does 2 Peter 1:16 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Peter 1:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Peter 1:16 means
Peter insists that the apostles did not follow clever myths when they proclaimed the power and coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Their message stands on eyewitness testimony: they saw his majesty. This refers to the transfiguration, where Jesus’ divine glory was revealed as a foretaste of his royal coming. The gospel is not a human invention but history interpreted by those who were there. By linking the past display of glory to the future coming, Peter shows continuity between what was seen on the mount and what will be unveiled at Christ’s return. Confidence in Christ’s promised coming rests on reliable witness, not on imagination.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For we did not follow cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For we did not follow cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For when we gave you news of the power and the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, our teaching was not based on stories put together by art, but we were eye-witnesses of his glory.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862For, skilfully devised fables not having followed out, we did make known to you the power and presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, but eye-witnesses having become of his majesty--
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For we have not by following artificial fables made known to you the power and presence of our Lord Jesus Christ: but we were eyewitnesses of his greatness.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For we have not made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, following cleverly imagined fables, but having been eyewitnesses of his majesty.
Context
Having secured the church’s remembrance, Peter now validates the content of his reminders. Verses 16–18 appeal to the apostles’ own experience at the transfiguration to refute the charge of myth-making. This eyewitness account supports the claim about Christ’s power and future coming. The next two verses (17–18) elaborate on what they saw and heard—the heavenly honor and voice affirming the Son. This prepares for verses 19–21, which elevate the prophetic Scriptures as an even surer guide, establishing the divine origin of the message preached.
v.15Yea, I will give diligence that at every time ye may be able after my decease to call these things to remembrance.
v.16This passage
v.17For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there was borne such a voice to him by the Majestic Glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased:
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 1:14
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth.
- 1 Corinthians 2:1
And I, brethren, when I came unto you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God.
- Matthew 24:3
And as he sat on the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
- Romans 1:4
who was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead; even Jesus Christ our Lord,
- Matthew 16:28
Verily I say unto you, There are some of them that stand here, who shall in no wise taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.
- Jude 1:14
And to these also Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, Behold, the Lord came with ten thousands of his holy ones,
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