2 Peter 1:20
What does 2 Peter 1:20 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Peter 1:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Peter 1:20 means
Peter adds a foundational principle: no prophecy of Scripture is of private interpretation. He means that prophecy does not originate from a prophet’s own ideas or isolated insight. Its meaning and message are not self-generated or privately controlled. Scripture has a public, God-given character that transcends any individual’s agenda. This guards the church from treating the Bible as a canvas for personal inventions. The point is not to discourage careful interpretation, but to anchor it in the text’s divine source and united testimony. Understanding must submit to what God has said, rather than bending God’s Word to fit private preferences or speculative readings.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of private interpretation.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of private interpretation.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Being conscious in the first place that no man by himself may give a special sense to the words of the prophets.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862this first knowing, that no prophecy of the Writing doth come of private exposition,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Understanding this first: That no prophecy of scripture is made by private interpretation.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890knowing this first, that [the scope of] no prophecy of scripture is had from its own particular interpretation,
Context
Verse 20 clarifies why the prophetic word is a sure guide (verse 19). It denies that Scripture’s prophecies are private products or subject to arbitrary handling. This sets up verse 21, which positively explains prophecy’s origin in God’s initiative through the Holy Spirit. By stressing origin before application, Peter prepares his readers to resist false teachers who will arise (chapter 2), and to receive Scripture as authoritative revelation. The movement in verses 19–21 goes from exhortation (heed the lamp) to explanation (it is not private) to foundation (it came as men were moved by the Spirit).
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:
v.20This passage
v.21For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but men spake from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit.
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