Devine Scripture

2 Peter 1:18

What does 2 Peter 1:18 mean?

A plain-English look at 2 Peter 1:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 2 Peter 1:18 means

Peter adds that they themselves heard the heavenly voice when they were with Jesus on the holy mountain. This underlines the reliability of the apostolic testimony: it was not secondhand or visionary only, but a shared experience among witnesses. The mountain became “holy” because God manifested his presence there, setting it apart as a place where heaven’s verdict about the Son was declared. The apostles’ role is to transmit what they saw and heard. Their public witness anchors the church’s faith in verifiable events, not in private speculations. Such grounding strengthens hope in the promised future unveiling of Christ’s power and glory.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and this voice we ourselves heard borne out of heaven, when we were with him in the holy mount.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and this voice we ourselves heard borne out of heaven, when we were with him in the holy mount.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And this voice came from heaven even to our ears, when we were with him on the holy mountain.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and this voice we--we did hear, out of heaven borne, being with him in the holy mount.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And this voice, we heard brought from heaven, when we were with him in the holy mount.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and this voice we heard uttered from heaven, being with him on the holy mountain.

Context

This verse concludes the account of the transfiguration begun in verses 16–17. With the eyewitness and earwitness testimony established, Peter is ready to argue in verses 19–21 that Scripture is an even surer light. The move from experience to the prophetic word underscores that while experiences end, the written word abides and guides. It also prepares readers to value Scripture’s divine origin over any private interpretation, a crucial point as the letter will soon warn against false teachers who twist the truth.

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:

v.18This passage

v.19And we have the word of prophecy made more sure; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Joshua 5:15

    And the prince of Jehovah’s host said unto Joshua, Put off thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.

  • Matthew 17:6

    And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.

  • Isaiah 11:9

    They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of Jehovah, as the waters cover the sea.

  • Exodus 3:5

    And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.

  • Genesis 28:16

    And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely Jehovah is in this place; and I knew it not.

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