2 Peter 2:20
What does 2 Peter 2:20 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Peter 2:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Peter 2:20 means
Peter warns of a tragic regression: some escape the world’s pollution through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, yet become entangled again and are overcome. Their last state is worse than their first. Greater light increases accountability; to turn back after knowing Christ’s way deepens bondage and heightens guilt. This is not a theoretical danger; false teachers make it practical by luring professing believers into old sins. The text calls believers to perseverance in the knowledge of Jesus, whose saving lordship is the only sure path out of corruption.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein and overcome, the last state is become worse with them than the first.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein and overcome, the last state is become worse with them than the first.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For if, after they have got free from the unclean things of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again taken in the net and overcome, their last condition is worse than their first.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for, if having escaped from the pollutions of the world, in the acknowledging of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and by these again being entangled, they have been overcome, become to them hath the last things worse than the first,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For if, flying from the pollutions of the world, through the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they be again entangled in them and overcome: their latter state is become unto them worse than the former.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For if after having escaped the pollutions of the world through [the] knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, again entangled, they are subdued by these, their last state is worse than the first.
Context
Peter moves from the teachers to their victims, especially those newly delivered who are being re-ensnared. He frames apostasy as a worsening condition, not a harmless detour. Verse 21 will intensify this by saying it would be better never to have known the way than to know and turn back from the holy commandment. Finally, verse 22 will illustrate the point with proverbs about dogs and sows returning to filth.
v.19promising them liberty, while they themselves are bondservants of corruption; for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he also brought into bondage.
v.20This passage
v.21For it were better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Peter 1:4
whereby he hath granted unto us his precious and exceeding great promises; that through these ye may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world by lust.
- 2 Peter 1:2
Grace to you and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;
- 2 Peter 2:18
For, uttering great swelling words of vanity, they entice in the lusts of the flesh, by lasciviousness, those who are just escaping from them that live in error;
- Philippians 3:19
whose end is perdition, whose god is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.
- Luke 11:24
The unclean spirit when he is gone out of the man, passeth through waterless places, seeking rest, and finding none, he saith, I will turn back unto my house whence I came out.
- Matthew 12:43
But the unclean spirit, when he is gone out of the man, passeth through waterless places, seeking rest, and findeth it not.
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