2 Peter 3:2
What does 2 Peter 3:2 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Peter 3:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Peter 3:2 means
Peter urges them to keep in view two coordinated authorities: the words once spoken by the holy prophets and the command of the Lord and Saviour delivered through the apostles. Scripture’s ancient promises and Christ’s authoritative instruction form a single, reliable witness. Remembering is not nostalgia; it is obedience to revealed truth that anchors believers in God’s unfolding plan. The “holy prophets” tie the church to Israel’s Scriptures; “the Lord and Saviour” declares Jesus’ divine authority; “through your apostles” marks the entrusted channel. When believers face confusion or delay, they are to weigh everything by this prophetic-apostolic standard rather than by the shifting opinions of their day.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000that ye should remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and the commandment of the Lord and Saviour through your apostles:
KJV
King James Version · 1611That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901that ye should remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and the commandment of the Lord and Saviour through your apostles:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So that you may keep in mind the words of the holy prophets in the past, and the law of the Lord and Saviour which was given to you by his Apostles.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862to be mindful of the sayings said before by the holy prophets, and of the command of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752That you may be mindful of those words which I told you before from the holy prophet and of your apostles, of the precepts of the Lord and Saviour.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890to be mindful of the words spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of the Lord and Saviour by your apostles;
Context
Having stated his goal to rouse their sincere mind (v1), Peter now names the content of that remembrance: the prophetic word and the Lord’s command through the apostles. This double reminder prepares readers to discern the coming mockery (v3) by measuring it against Scripture. Verses 3–4 will describe scoffers who deny Christ’s return; verses 5–7 will show how the prophetic record of creation and the flood exposes their error. The appeal to Scripture’s authority undergirds the whole argument.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 1:70
(As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets that have been from of old),
- Acts 28:23
And when they had appointed him a day, they came to him into his lodging in great number; to whom he expounded the matter, testifying the kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning till evening.
- Acts 3:24
Yea and all the prophets from Samuel and them that followed after, as many as have spoken, they also told of these days.
- Acts 3:21
whom the heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, whereof God spake by the mouth of his holy prophets that have been from of old.
- 1 John 4:6
We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he who is not of God heareth us not. By this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
- 2 Peter 1:19
And 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:
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