2 Peter 1:16
King James Version (1769)
Other translations
| Verse | KJV | BSB | ASV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | For 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. | For we did not follow cleverly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. | For 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. |
In context
AI-assisted, sourcedPeter and the apostles did not follow cleverly invented myths when they told of the power and coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. They were eyewitnesses of his majesty. Their message rests on what they saw. 2 Peter 1:16
SpeakingSimon Peter, "a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ," who saw Christ's majesty on the holy mount. 2 Peter overview
To"Them that have obtained like precious faith"; traditionally the same believers as 1 Peter, in Asia Minor. 2 Peter overview
Also involvedThe believers who heard the apostles' message. 2 Peter 1:16
Peter defends the truth of what he taught. Verses 17-18 tell what he saw on "the holy mount." 2 Peter 1:162 Peter 1:172 Peter 1:18
The letter names no place. If the readers are those of 1 Peter, they were in Asia Minor; tradition places Peter in Rome at the end of his life. 2 Peter overview
The eventsPeter saw Christ's majesty during Jesus' earthly ministry, at the event described in 1:17-18. 2 Peter 1:162 Peter 1:17
WrittenTraditional: about AD 64-68, shortly before Peter's death. Scholarly: many hold a follower wrote it in Peter's name, perhaps AD 100-150; others accept that Peter wrote it near the end of his life. 2 Peter overview
HerePeter answers those who would call the Lord's coming a myth (3:4) by pointing to what he witnessed. 2 Peter 1:162 Peter overview
In the whole of ScriptureLuke records that Jesus "took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray" (Luke 9:28). John writes, "we beheld his glory" (John 1:14), and "That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you" (1 John 1:3). Paul warns against "fables" (1 Timothy 1:4). Luke 9:28John 1:141 John 1:31 Timothy 1:4
For readersThe Christian message rests on eyewitness testimony, not invented stories. 2 Peter 1:161 John 1:3
- cunningly devisedσοφίζω
The word means to make wise; here, cleverly made up. The lexicon lists 2 Timothy 3:15 among its uses. Strong's G4679
- fablesμῦθος
The word means myth, fable. The lexicon lists 1 Timothy 1:4, 2 Timothy 4:4 and Titus 1:14 among its uses. Strong's G3454
- comingπαρουσία
The word means presence, arrival, coming. Strong's G3952
- eyewitnessesἐπόπτης
The word means an eyewitness. The lexicon lists this verse as its only New Testament use. Strong's G2030
- majestyμεγαλειότης
The word means greatness, majesty. The lexicon lists Luke 9:43 among its uses. Strong's G3168
Takeaway
The apostles did not follow clever myths; they were eyewitnesses of Christ's majesty. 2 Peter 1:16John 1:14
Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a second AI pass. Updated 2026-10-28.
Original Greek words
| English | Greek | Say it | Strong's | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Not | οὐ | ou | G3756 | noοὐ (ou) οὐ, before a vowel with smooth breathing οὐκ, before one with rough breathing οὐχ (but improperly οὐχ ἰδού, Act.2:7, WH, mg.; cf. WH, Intr., §409; M, Pr., 44, 244), [in LXX for אֵין ,אַיִן ,לֹא ;] neg. particle, not, no, used generally with indic, and for a denial of fact (cf . μή); 1. absol. (accented), οὔ, no: Mat.13:29 Jhn.1:21 21:5; οὒ οὕ, Mat.5:37 Jas.5:12. … |
| for | γὰρ | gar | G1063 | forγάρ (gar) γάρ, co-ordinating particle, contr. of γε ἄρα, verily then, hence, in truth, indeed, yea, then, why, and when giving a reason or explanation, for, the usage in NT being in general accord with that of cl.; 1. explicative and epexegetic: Mat.4:18 19:12, Mrk.1:16 5:42 16:4, Luk.11:3o, Rom.7:1, 1Co.16:5, al. 2. Conclusive, in questions, answers and exclamations: Mat.9:5 27:23, Luk.9:25 22:27, Jhn.9:30, Act.8:31 16:37 19:35, Rom.15:26, 1Co.9:10, Php.1:18 (Ellic., in l.), 1Th.2:20, al. … |
| contrived | σεσοφισμένοις | sesophismenois | G4679 | to make wiseσοφίζω (sophizō) σοφίζω (σοφός), [in LXX chiefly for חָכָם ;] to make wise, instruct: with accusative of person(s), 2Ti.3:15 (cf. Psa.19:8 (Psa.119:98). As depon., -ομαι; (a) intrans., to become wise (I2Ki.4:27 (3Ki.5:11), Ecc.2:15, and frequently in Sir.7:5, al.); (b) trans., to invent, devise cleverly: pass., 2Pe.1:16 (cf. κατα-σοφίζομαι).† (AS) |
| fables | μύθοις | muthois | G3454 | mythμῦθος (muthos) μῦθος, -ου, ὁ [in LXX: Wis.17:4 A, Sir.20:19 * ;] 1. speech, conversation. 2. (a) a story, narrative (Hom.); (b) later, opposite to λόγος (a true narrative) = Lat. fabula, a myth, fable, fiction: 1Ti.1:4 4:7, 2Ti.4:4, Tit.1:14, 2Pe.1:16.† SYN.. λόγος, q.v (AS) |
| having followed | ἐξακολουθήσαντες | exakolouthēsantes | G1811 | to followἐξακολουθέω (exakoloutheō) ἐξ-ακολουθέω, -ῶ [in LXX Amo.2:4, Jer.2:2 (אַחַר הָלַךְ), Isa.56:11 (פָּנָה), Job.31:9 (פָּתָה ni.), Sir.5:2, Dan LXX TH Dan.3:1-30 :(41) * ;] to follow, follow up (in various senses): metaphorically, 2Pe.1:16 2:2 2:15 † (AS) |
| we have made known | ἐγνωρίσαμεν | egnōrisamen | G1107 | to make knownγνωρίζω (gnōrizō) γνωρίζω (γιγνώσκω), [in LXX chiefly for ידע hi. ;] 1. as most commonly in cl., to come to know, discover, know: Php.1:22 (but cf. R, mg.). 2. to make known: with accusative, Rom.9:22, 23; with accusative of thing(s) da.t. of person(s), Luk.2:15, Jhn.15:15 17:26, Act.2:28" (LXX), 1Co.15:1, 2Co.8:1, Gal.1:11, Eph.1:9 6:19, 21 Col.4:7, 9 2Pe.1:16; with dative, before ὅτι, 1Co.12:3; before τί, Col.1:27; περί, Luk.2:17. Pass., Act.7:13, Rom.16:26, Eph.3:3, 6 10, Php.4:6 (Cremer, 677; cf. ἀνα-, δια-γνωρίζω). † (AS) |
| to you | ὑμῖν | humin | G4771 | youσέ (se) αὐτός, -ή, -ό, determinative pron., in late Gk. much more frequently than in cl. (WM, 178f.; Jannaris, HGG, §1399). 1. Emphatic (so always in nom. exc. when preceded by the art., see infr., iii); (1) self (ipse), expressing opposition, distinction, exclusion, etc., αὐ. ἐκχυθήσεται, Luk.5:37; αὐ. ἐγινώσκεν, Jhn.2:25; αὐ.ὑμεῖς, Jhn.3:28; καὶ αὐ. ἐγώ, Rom.15:14; αὐ. Ἰησοῦς, Jhn.2:24; αὐ. καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, Mrk.2:25; ὑμεῖς αὐ., Mrk.6:31; esp. (as freq in cl.) αὐ. ὁ, Mat.3:4, Mrk.6:17, Jhn.16:27, 1Th.3:11, al.; in late Gk., sometimes weakened, ἐν αὐτῇ τ. ὥρᾳ, in that hour, Luk.10:21 (M, Pr., 91; … |
| Lord | κυρίου | kuriou | G2962G | lord: Godκύριος (kurios) κύριος, -α, -ον (also -ος, -ον), [in LXX (subst.) chiefly for יהוה, also for בַּעַל ,אָדוֹן, etc. ;] having power (κῦρος) or authority; as subst., ὁ κ., lord, master; 1. in general: with genitive of thing(s), Mat.9:38 20:8, Mrk.12:9 13:35, Luk.19:33; τ. σαββάτου, Mat.12:8, Mrk.2:28, Luk.6:5; with genitive of person(s), δούλου, etc., Mat.10:24, Luk.14:21, Act.16:16, al.; absol, opposite to οἱ δοῦλοι, Eph.6:5, 9 al.; of the Emperor (Deiss., LAE, 161), Act.25:26; θεοὶ πολλοὶ καὶ κ. πολλοί, 1Co.8:5; of a husband, 1Pe.3:6; in voc, as a title of respect to masters, teachers, magistrates, etc., Ma … |
| of us | ἡμῶν | hēmōn | G3165 | meμέ (me) 1. apostrophe for με. 2. rarely for μοι, (Homer) (ML) |
| Jesus | Ἰησοῦ | Iēsou | G2424G | JesusἸησοῦς (Iēsous) Ἰησοῦς, -οῦ, dative, voc. -οῦ, accusative, -οῦν (Heb. יֵשׁוּעַ ,יְהֹשֻׁעַ ,יְהוֹשׁוּעַ), 1. JESUS: Mat.1:21, al.; ὁ Ἰ, ib. 3:13, al.; Ἰ. Χριστός, ib. 1:1, Mrk.1:1, al.; Χρ. Ἰ., Rom.2:26, al.; κύριος Ἰ., Act.28:31, al.; Ἰησοῦ, voc., Mrk.1:24, al. 2. Joshua: Act.7:45, Heb.4:8. 3. Jesus, son of Eliezer: Luk.3:28. 4. Jesus, surnamed Justus: Col.4:11. 5. see: βαραββᾶς. (AS) |
| Christ | Χριστοῦ | Christou | G5547 | ChristΧριστός (Christos) χριστός (Χρ-), -ή, -όν (χρίω), [in LXX for מָשִׁיחַ and cogn. forms ;] 1. 1. as adj., (a) of things, anointing, to be used as ointment (Æsch., Eur., al.; τ. ἔλαιον τὸ χ., Lev.21:10); (b) of persons, anointed (ὁ ἰερεὺς ὁ χ., Lev.4:5; οἱ χ. ἰευρεῖς, 2Ma.1:10): ὁ χ. τοῦ κυρίου or Θεοῦ (1Ki.2:10, Psa.2:2, al.), of the Messiah (Aram., מְשִׁיחָא; cf. Dalman, Words, 289 ff.), Luk.2:11, 26 Jhn.1:41, Act.2:36 4:26, al. … |
| power | δύναμιν | dunamin | G1411 | powerδύναμις (dunamis) δύναμις, -εως, ἡ (δύναμαι), [in LXX for עֹז ,גּבוּרָה ,צָבָה ,(חֵיל) חַיִל, etc.; 35 words in all ;] power, might, strength; relatively, ability, power to perform: Mat.25:15, Act.3:12, Heb.11:11; κατὰ δ., 2Co.8:3; παρὰ δ., ib.; ὑπὲρ δ., 2Co.1:8; of pecuniary ability, 2Co.8:3, Rev.18:3; absol., power, might: Luk.24:49, Act.1:8; opposite to ἀσθένεια, 1Co.15:43; ἡ δ. τ. ἁμαρτίας, 1Co.15:56; of power in action, Rom.1:16, 20 1Co.1:18, Php.3:10, al.; ἡ δ. τ. θεοῦ, Mat.22:29, Mrk.12:24, Rom.1:20, al.; opposite to μόρφωσις, 2Ti.3:5; in doxologies, Rev.4:11 7:12, al.; ἐν δ., Mrk.9:1, Luk.4:36, Rom.1: … |
| and | καὶ | kai | G2532 | andκαί (kai) καί, conj., and I. Copulative. 1. Connecting single words; (a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. (b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; (with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. 2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. … |
| coming, | παρουσίαν, | parousian | G3952 | comingπαρουσία (parousia) παρ-ουσία, -ας, ἡ [in LXX: Neh.2:6 A, Jdth.10:18, 2Ma.8:12 2Mac 15:21, 3Ma.3:17 * ;] 1. usually in cl., a being present, presence: 1Co.16:17, 2Co.10:10; opposite to ἀπουσία, Php.2:12 (cf. 2Ma.15:21). … |
| but | ἀλλ᾽ | all᾽ | G0235 | butἀλλά (alla) ἀλλά (ἀλλ᾽ usually bef. α and υ, often bef. ε and η, rarely bef. ο and ω, never bef. ι; Tdf., Pr., 93 f.; WH, App., 146), adversative particle, stronger than δέ; prop. neuter pl. of ἄλλος, used adverbially, with changed accent; hence prop. otherwise, on the other hand (cf. Rom.3:31); … |
| eyewitnesses | ἐπόπται | epoptai | G2030 | eyewitnessἐπόπτης (epoptēs) ἐπόπτης, -ου, ὁ [in LXX (of God): Est.5:1, 2Ma.3:39 2Mac 7:35, 3Ma.2:21 * ;] 1. an overseer (LXX, ll. with). 2. a spectator: 2Pe.1:16 (of ἐ. as applied to God, see parallels in Inscr., MM, Exp., xiv; of the use of this term in the mysteries, see Mayor on 2Pe, l.with; Thayer, see word).† (AS) |
| having been | γενηθέντες | genēthentes | G1096 | to beγίνομαι (ginomai) γίνομαι, Ion. and κοινή for Att. γίγν- (M. Pr., 47; Bl., §6, 8 Mayser, 166 f.), [in LXX chiefly for היה ;] 1. of persons, things occurrences, to come into being, be born, arise, come on: Jhn.1:15 8:58, 1Co.15:37; a first appearance in public, Mrk.1:4, Jhn.1:6, al.; before ἐκ (of birth), Rom.1:3, Gal.4:4; διά, Jhn.1:3; βροντή, Jhn.12:29; σεισμός, Rev.6:12; γογγυσμός, Act.6:1; χαρά, Act.8:8, many other similar exx.; ἡμέρα, Luk.22:66, al.; ὀψέ, Mrk.11:19; πρωΐα, Mat.27:1; νύξ, Act.27:27. … |
| of His | ἐκείνου | ekeinou | G1565 | thatἐκεῖνος (ekeinos) ἐκεῖνος, -η, -ο (ἐκεῖ), [in LXX chiefly for הַהוּא ,הוּא, and cogn. forms ;] demonstr. pron., that person or thing (ille), implying remoteness as compared with οὗτος (hic); 1. absol., emphatic he, she, it: opposite to οὗτος, Luk.18:14, Jas.4:15; ἡμεῖς, Heb.12:25; ὑμεῖς, Mrk.4:11; ἄλλοι, Jhn.9:9; ἐγώ, Jhn.3:30; to persons named, Mk 16:[10, 13, 20], Jhn.2:21; of one (absent) who is not named, contemptuously (Abbott, JG, §§2385, 2732), Jhn.7:11 9:28; with respect, of Christ, 1Jo.2:6 3:3, al.; referring to a preceding noun, Mrk.16:[10], Jhn.7:45; resumption of a participial subject, Jhn.1:33 9 … |
| majesty. | μεγαλειότητος. | megaleiotētos | G3168 | majestyμεγαλειότης (megaleiotēs) μεγαλειότης, -ητος, ἡ (μεγαλεῖος) [in LXX: Jer.33:9 (תִּפְאָרָה), Dan LXX 7:27, 1Es.1:5 Est.4:40 * ;] splendour, magnificence: Luk.9:43, Act.19:27, 2Pe.1:16 (frequently in π. as a ceremonial title, MM, xvi).† (AS) |
Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.