Above all,This phrase emphasizes the utmost importance of the statement that follows. It serves as a reminder to prioritize the understanding of the nature of prophecy in Scripture. In biblical literature, such phrases are often used to draw attention to a critical teaching or truth that the author wants the audience to grasp fully.
you must understand
The imperative "must understand" indicates a non-negotiable requirement for believers. It suggests that comprehension of this truth is essential for proper faith and doctrine. The use of "understand" implies a deep, thoughtful consideration rather than a superficial acknowledgment, urging believers to seek wisdom and discernment.
that no prophecy of Scripture
This phrase refers specifically to the prophecies contained within the Holy Scriptures, which include both the Old and New Testaments. Prophecy in this context is not limited to foretelling future events but also includes the proclamation of God's will and truth. The term "Scripture" underscores the divine authority and inspiration of these writings, as seen in passages like2 Timothy 3:16, which affirms that all Scripture is God-breathed.
comes from one’s own interpretation.
This statement asserts that the origin of prophecy is not from human insight or personal interpretation. It highlights the divine source of prophecy, as opposed to human invention or understanding. This aligns with2 Peter 1:21, which explains that prophecy is delivered by men who spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. The emphasis here is on the divine inspiration and authority of Scripture, ensuring that its message is not subject to personal bias or distortion. This principle is crucial for maintaining the integrity and unity of biblical teaching, as seen in the consistent message of salvation and the revelation of Jesus Christ throughout the Bible.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
PeterThe apostle Peter, one of Jesus' closest disciples, is traditionally credited with writing this epistle. He addresses the letter to believers, emphasizing the importance of true knowledge and warning against false teachings.
2.
ProphetsThe prophets of the Old Testament, who were divinely inspired to deliver God's messages to His people. Their prophecies were not based on personal interpretation but were revelations from God.
3.
False TeachersAlthough not directly mentioned in this verse, the context of 2 Peter includes warnings against false teachers who distort the truth of Scripture for their own purposes.
Teaching Points
Divine Origin of ScriptureScripture is not a product of human thought or creativity but is divinely inspired. Believers should approach the Bible with reverence, recognizing its authority and divine origin.
Guard Against MisinterpretationSince prophecy does not come from personal interpretation, believers must be cautious of teachings that deviate from the core truths of Scripture. It is essential to study the Bible diligently and seek guidance from the Holy Spirit.
Role of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in helping believers understand and interpret Scripture. Prayer and reliance on the Spirit are vital in discerning the true meaning of biblical texts.
Unity in DoctrineThe consistent message of Scripture across different books and authors points to its divine authorship. Believers should strive for unity in understanding and applying biblical truths, avoiding divisions caused by personal interpretations.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 2 Peter 1:20?
2.How does 2 Peter 1:20 emphasize the divine origin of prophecy in Scripture?
3.What role does the Holy Spirit play in interpreting biblical prophecy?
4.How can we guard against personal interpretation of prophecy in our Bible study?
5.How does 2 Peter 1:20 connect with 2 Timothy 3:16 on Scripture's inspiration?
6.How should 2 Peter 1:20 influence our approach to teaching biblical prophecy?
7.What does 2 Peter 1:20 mean by "no prophecy of Scripture comes from one's own interpretation"?
8.How does 2 Peter 1:20 challenge the idea of personal interpretation of the Bible?
9.Why is the divine origin of prophecy emphasized in 2 Peter 1:20?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Peter 1?
11.Is biblical prophecy evidence of the Bible's reliability?
12.Is the Bible genuinely one-of-a-kind?
13.What does "Narcigesis" mean?
14.What does the Bible say about prophecy?What Does 2 Peter 1:20 Mean
Above allThe opening phrase signals urgency and supreme importance. Peter is about to state something that should eclipse competing opinions or theories.
• Similar weight is found when Jesus says, “But seek first the kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33).
•Proverbs 4:7 reminds, “Wisdom is supreme; acquire wisdom.”
Peter’s “above all” alerts us that what follows is foundational for trusting the Bible.
You must understandPeter insists on settled conviction, not casual curiosity. Disciples are to know, not guess, how God speaks.
• The Bereans show the same diligence, examining “the Scriptures daily to see if these teachings were true” (Acts 17:11).
• Paul urges, “Do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is” (Ephesians 5:17).
Our confidence in prophecy rests on clear understanding, grounded in Scripture’s own testimony.
No prophecy of ScripturePeter narrows the focus to every Spirit-breathed prophetic word, encompassing the whole canon.
• “All Scripture is God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16), so every book carries prophetic authority.
•Hebrews 1:1 affirms that “God spoke to our fathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways.”
From Genesis to Revelation, prophecy is divine disclosure, never mere human reflection.
Comes from one’s own interpretationProphecy did not originate in a prophet’s private musings, nor may readers treat it as clay for personal reshaping.
• Peter continues, “For no prophecy was ever brought about by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21).
• Jeremiah testifies, “The LORD reached out His hand, touched my mouth, and said, ‘I have put My words in your mouth’” (Jeremiah 1:9).
• Paul explains, “We speak…words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words” (1 Corinthians 2:13).
Practical implications:
• Submit to Scripture’s plain meaning rather than forcing it to fit culture or preference.
• Compare passage with passage; let clearer texts illuminate harder ones.
• Trust the Holy Spirit to guide, since He authored the text (John 16:13).
summaryPeter’s message is straightforward: Scripture’s prophecies are God’s words, not private ideas. Because they originate with the Holy Spirit, believers must approach them with reverence, seeking the Spirit’s guidance and allowing Scripture to interpret Scripture.
(20)
Knowing this first.--The participle belongs to "take heed" in
2Peter 1:19. "First" means "first of all" (
1Timothy 2:1), not "before I tell you." In studying prophecy this is the first thing to be borne in mind.
Is of any private interpretation.--Better,comes to be,orbecomes of private interpretation. The word rendered "interpretation" occurs nowhere else in the New Testament; but the cognate verb occurs inMark 4:34, where it is translated "expound." (See Note there.) There can be little doubt that "interpretation," or "solution," is the right rendering here, although others have been suggested. The main question however, is the meaning of the word rendered "private," which may also mean "its own." Hence three explanations are possible. The term may refer (1) to the recipients of the prophecies--that we may not expound prophecy according to our own fancy; or (2) to the utterers of the prophecies--that the prophets had not the power of expounding their own prophecies; or (3) to the prophecies themselves--that no prophecy comes to be of its own interpretation,i.e.,no prophecy explains itself. The guide to the right explanation is2Peter 1:21, which gives the reasonwhy "no prophecy of the scripture," &c. This consideration excludes (3); for2Peter 1:21 yields no sense as showing why prophecy does not interpret itself. Either of the other two explanations may be right. (1) If prophecy came "by the will of man," then it might be interpreted according to man's fancy. But it did not so come; consequently the interpretation must be sought elsewhere--viz., at the same source from which the prophecy itself proceeded. (2) If the prophets spoke just as they pleased, they would be the best exponents of what they meant. But they spoke under divine influence, and therefore need not know the import of their own words. Prophecy must be explained by prophecy and by history, not by the individual prophet. The whole body of prophecy, "the prophetic word" (2Peter 1:19), is our lamp in the wilderness, not the privatedicta of any one seer. In modern phraseology, interpretation must be comparative and scientific. This view is strengthened by comparing1Peter 1:10-12, where it is stated that the prophets did not know how or when their own predictions would be fulfilled. Possibly this passage is meant to refer to1Peter 1:10-12, and if so, we have a mark of genuineness; a forger would have made the reference more clear. If the coincidence is accidental, this also points in the same direction; in any case, the coincidence is worth noting. . . .
Verse 20. -
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. By "knowing this first" (
γινώσκοντες) is meant that we must recognize this truth as of primary importance, or, before we commence the study of prophecy; the phrase occurs again in chapter 2 Peter 3:3. The literal translation of the following clause is, "that all prophecy of Scripture [there is no article] is not; all... not" (
πᾶσα...
οὐ) being a common Hebraism for none,
οὑδεμία; but the verb is not
ἔστι, "is," but
γίνεται, "becomes, arises, comes into being." The word for "private" is
ἰδίας, "special," or commonly, "one's own" (see
1 Peter 3:1, 5; chapter 2 Peter 2:16, 22; 3:3, 16, 17). The word rendered "interpretation" is
ἐπιλύσεως, which is found nowhere else in the New Testament; the corresponding verb occurs in
Mark 4:34, "He expounded all things;" and
Acts 19:39, "It shall be determined or settled." These considerations, strengthened by the context, seem to guide us to the following explanation: No prophecy of Scripture arises from the prophet's own interpretation of the vision presented to his mind; for it was from God that the prophecy was brought, and men spoke as they were borne on by the Holy Spirit. This view of the passage is also supported by the remarkable parallel in the First Epistle (
1 Peter 1:10-12). The prophets searched diligently into the meaning of the revelation vouchsafed to them; they did not always comprehend it in all its details; they could not interpret it to themselves; the written prophecy arose out of the interpretation of the revelation supplied by the same Spirit from whom the revelation itself proceeded. Therefore the prophetic books of Holy Scripture are sacred and precious, and we do well in giving heed to them; though the day-star of the Lord's own presence, shining in the illuminated heart, is holier still. Other views of this difficult passage are: Prophecy is not its own interpreter; the guidance of the Spirit is necessary. Or, prophecy is not a matter for the private interpretation of the readers; only the Holy Spirit can explain it. But the explanation adopted seems most accordant with the Greek words and with the general sense of the context (compare St. Paul's teaching in
1 Corinthians 12:10). The gifts of the Spirit are divided as he will; to one man are given "divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues." Not every one, it seems, who had the first gift, had also the latter. Tongues and the interpretation of tongues were two distinct gifts. It may be so with prophecy and the interpretation of prophecy.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
Above all,πρῶτον(prōton)Adverb - Superlative
Strong's 4412:First, in the first place, before, formerly. Neuter of protos as adverb; firstly.you must understandγινώσκοντες(ginōskontes)Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1097:A prolonged form of a primary verb; to 'know' in a great variety of applications and with many implications.thatὅτι(hoti)Conjunction
Strong's 3754:Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.noοὐ(ou)Adverb
Strong's 3756:No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.prophecyπροφητεία(prophēteia)Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4394:Prophecy, prophesying; the gift of communicating and enforcing revealed truth. From prophetes; prediction.of Scriptureγραφῆς(graphēs)Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1124:(a) a writing, (b) a passage of scripture; plur: the scriptures. A document, i.e. Holy Writ.comesγίνεται(ginetai)Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1096:A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.from [the prophet’s] ownἰδίας(idias)Adjective - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 2398:Pertaining to self, i.e. One's own; by implication, private or separate.interpretation.ἐπιλύσεως(epilyseōs)Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1955:Solution, explanation, interpretation; release. From epiluo; explanation, i.e. Application.
Links
2 Peter 1:20 NIV2 Peter 1:20 NLT2 Peter 1:20 ESV2 Peter 1:20 NASB2 Peter 1:20 KJV
2 Peter 1:20 BibleApps.com2 Peter 1:20 Biblia Paralela2 Peter 1:20 Chinese Bible2 Peter 1:20 French Bible2 Peter 1:20 Catholic Bible
NT Letters: 2 Peter 1:20 Knowing this first that no prophecy (2 Pet. 2P iiP ii Pet) 
