2 Peter 1

2 Peter · Chapter 1

2 Peter 1:16

1Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:2Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,3According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:4Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.5And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;6And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;7And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.8For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.9But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.10Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:11For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.12Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.13Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;14Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.15Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.16For 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.17For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.18And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.19We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:20Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.21For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

King James Version (1769)

Other translations

VerseKJVBSBASV
16For 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, sourced

Peter 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
    Greek · sophizō · G4679

    The word means to make wise; here, cleverly made up. The lexicon lists 2 Timothy 3:15 among its uses. Strong's G4679

  • fablesμῦθος
    Greek · muthos · G3454

    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
    Greek · parousia · G3952

    The word means presence, arrival, coming. Strong's G3952

  • eyewitnessesἐπόπτης
    Greek · epoptēs · G2030

    The word means an eyewitness. The lexicon lists this verse as its only New Testament use. Strong's G2030

  • majestyμεγαλειότης
    Greek · megaleiotēs · G3168

    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

EnglishGreekSay itStrong'sMeaning
NotοὐouG3756
no

οὐ (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. …

forγὰρgarG1063
for

γάρ (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. …

contrivedσεσοφισμένοιςsesophismenoisG4679
to make wise

σοφίζω (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)

fablesμύθοιςmuthoisG3454
myth

μῦθος (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 followedἐξακολουθήσαντεςexakolouthēsantesG1811
to follow

ἐξακολουθέω (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 knownἐγνωρίσαμενegnōrisamenG1107
to make known

γνωρίζω (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 youὑμῖνhuminG4771
you

σέ (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; …

LordκυρίουkuriouG2962G
lord: God

κύριος (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 usἡμῶνhēmōnG3165
me

μέ (me) 1. apostrophe for με. 2. rarely for μοι, (Homer) (ML)

JesusἸησοῦIēsouG2424G
Jesus

Ἰησοῦς (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)

ChristΧριστοῦChristouG5547
Christ

Χριστός (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. …

powerδύναμινdunaminG1411
power

δύναμις (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: …

andκαὶkaiG2532
and

καί (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,parousianG3952
coming

παρουσία (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). …

butἀλλ᾽all᾽G0235
but

ἀλλά (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); …

eyewitnessesἐπόπταιepoptaiG2030
eyewitness

ἐπόπτης (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 beenγενηθέντεςgenēthentesG1096
to be

γίνομαι (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 HisἐκείνουekeinouG1565
that

ἐκεῖνος (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.megaleiotētosG3168
majesty

μεγαλειότης (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.