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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>2 Peter 1:16 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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_peter/1-16.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/61_2Pe_01_16.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Peter 1:16 - Eyewitnesses of His Majesty" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/2_peter/1-16.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/2_peter/1-16.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/2_peter/">2 Peter</a> > <a href="/2_peter/1.htm">Chapter 1</a> > Verse 16</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad16.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/2_peter/1-15.htm" title="2 Peter 1:15">◄</a> 2 Peter 1:16 <a href="/2_peter/1-17.htm" title="2 Peter 1:17">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/2_peter/1.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/2_peter/1.htm">New International Version</a> For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. <a href="/nlt/2_peter/1.htm">New Living Translation</a> For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw his majestic splendor with our own eyes <a href="/esv/2_peter/1.htm">English Standard Version</a> For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. <a href="/bsb/2_peter/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/blb/2_peter/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> For we have not made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ having followed out cleverly devised fables, but having been eyewitnesses of His majesty. <a href="/kjv/2_peter/1.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/2_peter/1.htm">New King James Version</a> For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. <a href="/nasb_/2_peter/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. <a href="/nasb/2_peter/1.htm">NASB 1995</a> For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. <a href="/nasb77/2_peter/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a> For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. <a href="/lsb/2_peter/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> For we did not make known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, following cleverly devised myths, but being eyewitnesses of His majesty. <a href="/amp/2_peter/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a> For we did not follow cleverly devised stories or myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty [His grandeur, His authority, His sovereignty]. <a href="/csb/2_peter/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> For we did not follow cleverly contrived myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ; instead, we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. <a href="/hcsb/2_peter/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> For we did not follow cleverly contrived myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ; instead, we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. <a href="/asv/2_peter/1.htm">American Standard Version</a> 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. <a href="/cev/2_peter/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> When we told you about the power and the return of our Lord Jesus Christ, we were not telling clever stories someone had made up. But with our own eyes we saw his true greatness. <a href="/erv/2_peter/1.htm">English Revised Version</a> 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. <a href="/gwt/2_peter/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> When we apostles told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, we didn't base our message on clever myths that we made up. Rather, we witnessed his majesty with our own eyes. <a href="/gnt/2_peter/1.htm">Good News Translation</a> We have not depended on made-up stories in making known to you the mighty coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. With our own eyes we saw his greatness. <a href="/isv/2_peter/1.htm">International Standard Version</a> When we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah, we did not follow any clever myths. Rather, we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. <a href="/msb/2_peter/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/net/2_peter/1.htm">NET Bible</a> For we did not follow cleverly concocted fables when we made known to you the power and return of our Lord Jesus Christ; no, we were eyewitnesses of his grandeur. <a href="/nheb/2_peter/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> For we did not follow cunningly devised tales, when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. <a href="/wbt/2_peter/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eye-witnesses of his majesty. <a href="/wey/2_peter/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> For when we made known to you the power and Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, we were not eagerly following cleverly devised legends, but we had been eye-witnesses of His majesty. <a href="/web/2_peter/1.htm">World English Bible</a> For we didn’t follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/2_peter/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> For having not followed out skillfully devised fables, we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but having become eyewitnesses of His majesty— <a href="/blb/2_peter/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> For we have not made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ having followed out cleverly devised fables, but having been eyewitnesses of His majesty. <a href="/ylt/2_peter/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> For, skilfully devised fables not having followed out, we did make known to you the power and presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, but eye-witnesses having become of his majesty -- <a href="/slt/2_peter/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> For not having followed ingeniously contrived fictions, we made known to you the power and presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, but having been spectators of his majesty.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/2_peter/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> For we have not by following artificial fables, made known to you the power, and presence of our Lord Jesus Christ; but we were eyewitnesses of his greatness. <a href="/cpdv/2_peter/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> For it was not by following fanciful doctrines that we made known to you the power and presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were made eyewitnesses of his greatness. <a href="/nabre/2_peter/1.htm">New American Bible</a> We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. <a href="/nrsvce/2_peter/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/2_peter/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known to you the power and coming of our LORD Jesus Christ, for we were eye-witnesses of his majesty. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/2_peter/1.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> For we have not gone after craftily made fables to inform you of the power and the coming of our Lord Yeshua The Messiah, but we were eyewitnesses of his Majesty.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/2_peter/1.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> For we did not follow cunningly devised fables, when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ; but we were eye-witnesses of his majesty. <a href="/godbey/2_peter/1.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> For not having followed cunningly devised fables, have we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but having been eyewitnesses of his majesty. <a href="/haweis/2_peter/1.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> For we have not followed artfully devised fables, when we made known to you the power and advent of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eye-witnesses of his majesty. <a href="/mace/2_peter/1.htm">Mace New Testament</a> for, the information we gave you of the powerful advent of our Lord Jesus Christ, did not proceed from any artfully contriv'd fables, we our selves having been spectators of his majesty. <a href="/wey/2_peter/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> For when we made known to you the power and Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, we were not eagerly following cleverly devised legends, but we had been eye-witnesses of His majesty. <a href="/worrell/2_peter/1.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> For, not as having followed after cunningly-devised stories, did we make known to you the power and presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, but as having been made spectators of His majesty. <a href="/worsley/2_peter/1.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> For we did not follow artfully devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ; but were eye-witnesses of his majesty. <a href="/parallel/2_peter/1-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Gzcat0SlE18?start=143" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/2_peter/1.htm">Eyewitnesses of His Majesty</a> 15And I will make every effort to ensure that after my departure, you will be able to recall these things at all times. 16<a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.">For</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: Ou (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/1811.htm" title="1811: exakolouthēsantes (V-APA-NMP) -- To follow after, imitate. From ek and akoloutheo; to follow out, i.e. to imitate, obey, yield to.">we did not follow</a> <a href="/greek/4679.htm" title="4679: sesophismenois (V-RPM/P-DMP) -- From sophos; to render wise; in a sinister acceptation, to form sophisms, i.e. Continue plausible error.">cleverly devised</a> <a href="/greek/3454.htm" title="3454: mythois (N-DMP) -- An idle tale, fable, fanciful story. Perhaps from the same as mueo; a tale, i.e. Fiction.">fables</a> <a href="/greek/1107.htm" title="1107: egnōrisamen (V-AIA-1P) -- To make known, declare, know, discover. From a derivative of ginosko; to make known; subjectively, to know.">when we made known</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymin (PPro-D2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">to you</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/1411.htm" title="1411: dynamin (N-AFS) -- From dunamai; force; specially, miraculous power.">power</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3952.htm" title="3952: parousian (N-AFS) -- From the present participle of pareimi; a being near, i.e. Advent; physically, aspect.">coming</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: hēmōn (PPro-G1P) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">of our</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2962.htm" title="2962: Kyriou (N-GMS) -- Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.">Lord</a> <a href="/greek/2424.htm" title="2424: Iēsou (N-GMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.">Jesus</a> <a href="/greek/5547.htm" title="5547: Christou (N-GMS) -- Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.">Christ,</a> <a href="/greek/235.htm" title="235: all’ (Conj) -- But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.">but</a> <a href="/greek/1096.htm" title="1096: genēthentes (V-APP-NMP) -- A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.">we were</a> <a href="/greek/2030.htm" title="2030: epoptai (N-NMP) -- An eyewitness, spectator, looker-on. From epi and a presumed derivative of optanomai; a looker-on.">eyewitnesses</a> <a href="/greek/1565.htm" title="1565: ekeinou (DPro-GMS) -- That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed.">of His</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3168.htm" title="3168: megaleiotētos (N-GFS) -- (divine) majesty or magnificence, glory. From megaleios; superbness, i.e. Glory or splendor.">majesty.</a> 17For He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to Him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/matthew/17-1.htm">Matthew 17:1-5</a> After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. / There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. / Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared before them, talking with Jesus. ... <a href="/mark/9-2.htm">Mark 9:2-7</a> After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There He was transfigured before them. / His clothes became radiantly white, brighter than any launderer on earth could bleach them. / And Elijah and Moses appeared before them, talking with Jesus. ... <a href="/luke/9-28.htm">Luke 9:28-35</a> About eight days after Jesus had said these things, He took with Him Peter, John, and James, and went up on a mountain to pray. / And as He was praying, the appearance of His face changed, and His clothes became radiantly white. / Suddenly two men, Moses and Elijah, began talking with Jesus. ... <a href="/john/1-14.htm">John 1:14</a> The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. <a href="/1_john/1-1.htm">1 John 1:1-3</a> That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our own eyes, which we have gazed upon and touched with our own hands—this is the Word of life. / And this is the life that was revealed; we have seen it and testified to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us. / We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And this fellowship of ours is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ. <a href="/acts/1-21.htm">Acts 1:21-22</a> Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have accompanied us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, / beginning from John’s baptism until the day Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.” <a href="/1_corinthians/15-3.htm">1 Corinthians 15:3-8</a> For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, / that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, / and that He appeared to Cephas and then to the Twelve. ... <a href="/hebrews/2-3.htm">Hebrews 2:3-4</a> how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? This salvation was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, / and was affirmed by God through signs, wonders, various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will. <a href="/john/20-30.htm">John 20:30-31</a> Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book. / But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name. <a href="/1_john/4-14.htm">1 John 4:14</a> And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world. <a href="/john/21-24.htm">John 21:24</a> This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who has written them down. And we know that his testimony is true. <a href="/acts/10-39.htm">Acts 10:39-41</a> We are witnesses of all that He did, both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. And although they put Him to death by hanging Him on a tree, / God raised Him up on the third day and caused Him to be seen— / not by all the people, but by the witnesses God had chosen beforehand, by us who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead. <a href="/1_corinthians/2-1.htm">1 Corinthians 2:1-5</a> When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. / For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. / I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. ... <a href="/1_timothy/6-13.htm">1 Timothy 6:13-16</a> I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who made the good confession in His testimony before Pontius Pilate: / Keep this commandment without stain or reproach until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ, / which the blessed and only Sovereign One—the King of kings and Lord of lords—will bring about in His own time. ... <a href="/revelation/1-1.htm">Revelation 1:1-2</a> This is the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon come to pass. He made it known by sending His angel to His servant John, / who testifies to everything he saw. This is the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.we have.<a href="/2_peter/3-3.htm">2 Peter 3:3,4</a> Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, … <a href="/1_corinthians/1-17.htm">1 Corinthians 1:17,23</a> For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect… <a href="/1_corinthians/2-1.htm">1 Corinthians 2:1,4</a> And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God… the power.<a href="/matthew/28-18.htm">Matthew 28:18</a> And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.<a href="/mark/9-1.htm">Mark 9:1</a> And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.<a href="/john/17-2.htm">John 17:2</a> As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.coming.<a href="/malachi/3-2.htm">Malachi 3:2</a> But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:<a href="/malachi/4-5.htm">Malachi 4:5</a> Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:<a href="/matthew/16-28.htm">Matthew 16:28</a> Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.were.<a href="/matthew/17-1.htm">Matthew 17:1-5</a> And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, … <a href="/mark/9-2.htm">Mark 9:2</a> And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.<a href="/luke/9-28.htm">Luke 9:28-32</a> And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_peter/1-12.htm">Based</a> <a href="/2_peter/1-14.htm">Christ</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-1.htm">Cunningly</a> <a href="/matthew/28-12.htm">Devised</a> <a href="/1_peter/5-2.htm">Eagerly</a> <a href="/luke/1-2.htm">Eyewitnesses</a> <a href="/john/4-45.htm">Eye-Witnesses</a> <a href="/titus/1-14.htm">Fables</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-21.htm">Follow</a> <a href="/2_timothy/3-10.htm">Followed</a> <a href="/hebrews/4-11.htm">Following</a> <a href="/2_peter/1-3.htm">Glory</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/26-15.htm">Invented</a> <a href="/2_peter/1-14.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/titus/1-14.htm">Legends</a> <a href="/hebrews/8-1.htm">Majesty</a> <a href="/titus/1-14.htm">Myths</a> <a href="/1_peter/4-17.htm">News</a> <a href="/2_peter/1-15.htm">Power</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-32.htm">Stories</a> <a href="/luke/24-11.htm">Tales</a> <a href="/hebrews/13-9.htm">Teaching</a> <a href="/1_peter/5-13.htm">Together</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/34-27.htm">Based</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-20.htm">Christ</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-1.htm">Cunningly</a> <a href="/genesis/50-20.htm">Devised</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-15.htm">Eagerly</a> <a href="/luke/1-2.htm">Eyewitnesses</a> <a href="/luke/1-2.htm">Eye-Witnesses</a> <a href="/1_timothy/1-4.htm">Fables</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-2.htm">Follow</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-15.htm">Followed</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-15.htm">Following</a> <a href="/2_peter/1-17.htm">Glory</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/26-15.htm">Invented</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-20.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/titus/1-14.htm">Legends</a> <a href="/jude/1-25.htm">Majesty</a> <a href="/1_timothy/1-4.htm">Myths</a> <a href="/3_john/1-4.htm">News</a> <a href="/2_peter/1-21.htm">Power</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-3.htm">Stories</a> <a href="/ezekiel/22-9.htm">Tales</a> <a href="/2_peter/3-17.htm">Teaching</a> <a href="/3_john/1-8.htm">Together</a><div class="vheading2">2 Peter 1</div>1. <a href="/2_peter/1-1.htm">Peter confirms the hope of the increase of God's grace,</a> 5. <a href="/2_peter/1-5.htm">exhorts them, by faith, and good works, to make their calling sure;</a> 12. <a href="/2_peter/1-12.htm">whereof he is careful to remind them, knowing that his death is at hand;</a> 16. <a href="/2_peter/1-16.htm">and assures them of the authenticity of the Gospel, by the eyewitness of the apostles and the prophets.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_peter/1.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_peter/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/2_peter/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>For we did not follow cleverly devised fables This phrase emphasizes the authenticity and truth of the apostolic message. In the Greco-Roman world, myths and fables were common, often used to explain natural phenomena or convey moral lessons. Peter asserts that the gospel is not a product of human imagination or myth-making. This claim counters the false teachings and heresies that were beginning to infiltrate the early church, as seen in <a href="/2_peter/2.htm">2 Peter 2:1</a>. The apostles' teachings are rooted in historical events and divine revelation, distinguishing them from the fictional stories prevalent in the culture.when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ Peter refers to the proclamation of Jesus' divine power and His anticipated return. The "power" signifies the miraculous works and authority of Jesus, as witnessed by the apostles. The "coming" (Greek: parousia) refers to the second coming of Christ, a central tenet of Christian eschatology. This expectation is consistent with Jesus' own promises (<a href="/matthew/24-30.htm">Matthew 24:30</a>) and the teachings of other apostles (<a href="/1_thessalonians/4-16.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:16-17</a>). The early church lived in anticipation of this event, which provided hope and motivation for holy living.but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty Peter underscores the credibility of his testimony by highlighting his firsthand experience. The term "majesty" likely alludes to the Transfiguration of Jesus, where Peter, James, and John witnessed Christ's divine glory (<a href="/matthew/17.htm">Matthew 17:1-8</a>). This event confirmed Jesus' identity as the Son of God and prefigured His future glory at the second coming. The eyewitness account serves as a powerful validation of the apostolic message, distinguishing it from speculative or secondhand reports. This personal testimony is crucial in establishing the reliability of the New Testament writings.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/peter.htm">Peter</a> The author of the epistle, one of Jesus' twelve apostles, and a key leader in the early Christian church. He emphasizes his firsthand experience with Jesus. 2. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> Central figure of Christianity, whose power and coming are affirmed by Peter as not being based on myths but on witnessed events. 3. <a href="/topical/e/eyewitnesses.htm">Eyewitnesses</a> Refers to Peter and other apostles who personally witnessed the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, providing a foundation for their testimony. 4. <a href="/topical/m/majesty.htm">Majesty</a> This term highlights the divine glory and authority of Jesus, which Peter and others witnessed, particularly at events like the Transfiguration. 5. <a href="/topical/f/fables.htm">Fables</a> Refers to myths or accounts that are fabricated, contrasting the truth of the gospel with fictional tales.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_reliability_of_apostolic_witness.htm">The Reliability of Apostolic Witness</a> The apostles' testimony is based on direct experience, not on myths or fables. This underscores the reliability and truth of the gospel message. <a href="/topical/t/the_power_and_coming_of_christ.htm">The Power and Coming of Christ</a> The focus on Jesus' power and coming encourages believers to live in anticipation of His return, grounded in the certainty of His past actions and promises. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_eyewitness_testimony.htm">The Importance of Eyewitness Testimony</a> Just as legal systems rely on eyewitness accounts, the Christian faith is built on the credible testimony of those who personally encountered Jesus. <a href="/topical/g/guarding_against_false_teachings.htm">Guarding Against False Teachings</a> Believers are called to discern truth from cleverly devised fables, ensuring their faith is rooted in the authentic teachings of Scripture. <a href="/topical/l/living_in_light_of_christ's_majesty.htm">Living in Light of Christ's Majesty</a> Recognizing the majesty of Christ should inspire awe and reverence, influencing how believers live and witness to others.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_peter_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Peter 1</a> <a href="/q/is_christianity_an_emotional_crutch.htm">Isn’t Christianity just an emotional crutch?</a> <a href="/q/what_are_cunningly_devised_fables.htm">What are cunningly devised fables?</a> <a href="/q/why_are_you_holding_on_to_me.htm">What are cunningly devised fables?</a> <a href="/q/is_the_transfiguration_a_later_myth.htm">Mark 9:2–8 – Could the Transfiguration be a later myth or legend, given the supernatural elements and lack of external corroboration? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_peter/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(16-21) The certainty of Christ's coming again is the basis of these exhortations; and that certainty is proved (1) by the Transfiguration, which was an anticipation of His coming again in glory; (2) by the utterances of the prophets who predicted it.(16) For we have not followed.--More literally, For we did not follow, or, It was not by following out, &c., that. "For" introduces the reason for "I will endeavour" above. The word for "follow," or "follow out," occurs again in <a href="/2_peter/2-2.htm" title="And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.">2Peter 2:2</a>; <a href="/2_peter/2-15.htm" title="Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;">2Peter 2:15</a>, and nowhere else in the New Testament.Cunningly devised fables.--We cannot be sure that any in particular are meant, whether heathen, Jewish, or Christian; the negative makes the statement quite general. Various things, however, have been suggested as possibly indicated--heathen mythology, Jewish theosophy, Gnostic systems (as yet quite in their infancy in Simon Magus, St. Peter's adversary), and Apocryphal Gospels. Probably some elements in the doctrine of the false teachers are alluded to; something analogous to the "feigned words" of <a href="/2_peter/2-3.htm" title="And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingers not, and their damnation slumbers not.">2Peter 2:3</a>. There is reason for believing that the particular elements in their teaching thus incidentally condemned were of Jewish origin. If this conjecture be correct, then St. Peter is here dealing with errors similar to those condemned by St. Paul (<a href="/1_timothy/1-4.htm" title="Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.">1Timothy 1:4</a>; <a href="/2_timothy/4-4.htm" title="And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned to fables.">2Timothy 4:4</a>; <a href="/titus/1-14.htm" title="Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.">Titus 1:14</a>--the only other passages in which the word "fables" occurs). And in this case much light is thrown on some of the marked peculiarities of this Epistle and that of St. Jude, viz., the fondness of both writers for the oldest, and sometimes the most obscureWhen we made known unto you.--It is difficult to determine to what this refers. It is erroneous to suppose that the phrase necessarily implies personal communication by word of mouth. In the First Epistle the Apostle wrote to congregations not personally acquainted with him; and we have no reason for assuming that he had visited them since. "When we made known" may possibly refer to the First Epistle, against which supposition the plural "we" is not conclusive. Or a written Gospel--and, if so, the one with which St. Peter is commonly connected, viz., that of St. Mark--may be in the Apostle's mind. But the simplest explanation is that he refers to the Apostolic teaching generally. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_peter/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 16. - For we have not followed cunningly devised fables; rather, did not follow. The participle (ἐξακολουθήσαντες) is aorist. This compound verb is used only by St. Peter in the New Testament; we find it again in <a href="/2_peter/2-2.htm">2 Peter 2:2</a> and 15. Bengel and others have thought that the preposition ἐξ, from or out of, implies wandering from the truth after false guides; but probably the word merely means "to follow closely," though in this case the guides were going astray. Perhaps the use of the plural number is accounted for by the fact that St. Peter was not the only witness of the glory of the Transfiguration; he associates in thought his two brother-apostles with himself. The word μῦθοι, fables, with this exception, occurs in the New Testament only in St. Paul's pastoral Epistles. There is a remarkable parallel in the procemium of the 'Antiquities' of Josephus, sect. 4, Οἱ μεν ἄλλοι νομοθέται τοῖς μύθοις ἐξακολουθήσαντες. St. Peter may be referring to the "Jewish fables" mentioned by St. Paul (<a href="/titus/1-14.htm">Titus 1:14</a>), or to the stories about the heathen gods such as those in Hesiod and Ovid, or possibly to some early inventions, such as those ascribed to Simon the Sorcerer, which were afterwards to be developed into the strange fictions of Gnosticism (comp. <a href="/1_timothy/1-4.htm">1 Timothy 1:4</a>; <a href="/1_timothy/4-7.htm">1 Timothy 4:7</a>; <a href="/2_timothy/4-4.htm">2 Timothy 4:4</a>). The word rendered "cunningly devised" occurs elsewhere in the New Testament only in <a href="/2_timothy/3-15.htm">2 Timothy 3:15</a>; but there a different part of the verb is used, and in a different sense. When we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. St. Peter can scarcely be referring to St. Paul or other missionaries, as the following words identify the preachers with the witnesses of the Transfiguration; he must be alluding either to his First Epistle (comp. <a href="/1_peter/1-7.htm">1 Peter 1:7, 13</a>; <a href="/1_peter/4-13.htm">1 Peter 4:13</a>), or to personal teaching of his which has not been recorded, or, just possibly, to the Gospel of St. Mark. St. Peter had seen the power of the Lord Jesus manifested in his miracles; he had heard the announcement of the risen Saviour, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth;" he had, like the rest of the apostles, been "endued with power from on high." By the coming (παρουσία) he must mean the second advent, the invariable meaning of the word in Holy Scripture (see chapter 2 Peter 3:4, <a href="/matthew/24-3.htm">Matthew 24:3, 27</a>; <a href="/1_corinthians/15-23.htm">1 Corinthians 15:23</a>; <a href="/1_thessalonians/2-19.htm">1 Thessalonians 2:19</a>, etc.). But were eye-witnesses of his majesty. The word for "eye-witnesses" is not the common one (αὐτόπται, used by St. <a href="/luke/1-2.htm">Luke 1:2</a>), but a technical word (ἐπόπται), which in classical Greek designates the highest class of those who had been initiated into the Eleusinian Mysteries. The choice of such a word may possibly imply that St. Peter regarded himself and his brother-apostles as having received the highest initiation into the mysteries of religion. The noun is found only here in the New Testament; but the corresponding verb occurs in <a href="/1_peter/2-12.htm">1 Peter 2:12</a> and 1 Pet 3:2, and in no other of the New Testament writers. Here again we have an undesigned coincidence which points to identity of authorship. The word for "majesty" (μεγαλειότης) occurs in St. Luke's description of the healing of the demoniac boy immediately after the Transfiguration (<a href="/luke/9-43.htm">Luke 9:43</a>), and elsewhere only in <a href="/acts/19-27.htm">Acts 19:27</a>. <a href="/commentaries/2_peter/1-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>For γὰρ (gar) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1063.htm">Strong's 1063: </a> For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason. we did not follow ἐξακολουθήσαντες (exakolouthēsantes) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1811.htm">Strong's 1811: </a> To follow after, imitate. From ek and akoloutheo; to follow out, i.e. to imitate, obey, yield to. cleverly devised σεσοφισμένοις (sesophismenois) Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Dative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4679.htm">Strong's 4679: </a> From sophos; to render wise; in a sinister acceptation, to form 'sophisms', i.e. Continue plausible error. fables μύθοις (mythois) Noun - Dative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3454.htm">Strong's 3454: </a> An idle tale, fable, fanciful story. Perhaps from the same as mueo; a tale, i.e. Fiction. when we made known ἐγνωρίσαμεν (egnōrisamen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1107.htm">Strong's 1107: </a> To make known, declare, know, discover. From a derivative of ginosko; to make known; subjectively, to know. to you ὑμῖν (hymin) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. the τὴν (tēn) Article - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. power δύναμιν (dynamin) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1411.htm">Strong's 1411: </a> From dunamai; force; specially, miraculous power. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. coming παρουσίαν (parousian) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3952.htm">Strong's 3952: </a> From the present participle of pareimi; a being near, i.e. Advent; physically, aspect. of our ἡμῶν (hēmōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. Lord Κυρίου (Kyriou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2962.htm">Strong's 2962: </a> Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master. Jesus Ἰησοῦ (Iēsou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2424.htm">Strong's 2424: </a> Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites. Christ, Χριστοῦ (Christou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5547.htm">Strong's 5547: </a> Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus. but ἀλλ’ (all’) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_235.htm">Strong's 235: </a> But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise. we were γενηθέντες (genēthentes) Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1096.htm">Strong's 1096: </a> A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude. eyewitnesses ἐπόπται (epoptai) Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2030.htm">Strong's 2030: </a> An eyewitness, spectator, looker-on. From epi and a presumed derivative of optanomai; a looker-on. of His ἐκείνου (ekeinou) Demonstrative Pronoun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1565.htm">Strong's 1565: </a> That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed. majesty. μεγαλειότητος (megaleiotētos) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3168.htm">Strong's 3168: </a> (divine) majesty or magnificence, glory. From megaleios; superbness, i.e. Glory or splendor. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_peter/1-16.htm">2 Peter 1:16 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/2_peter/1-16.htm">2 Peter 1:16 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/2_peter/1-16.htm">2 Peter 1:16 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/2_peter/1-16.htm">2 Peter 1:16 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/2_peter/1-16.htm">2 Peter 1:16 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/2_peter/1-16.htm">2 Peter 1:16 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_peter/1-16.htm">2 Peter 1:16 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_peter/1-16.htm">2 Peter 1:16 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/2_peter/1-16.htm">2 Peter 1:16 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/2_peter/1-16.htm">2 Peter 1:16 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/2_peter/1-16.htm">NT Letters: 2 Peter 1:16 For we did not follow cunningly devised (2 Pet. 2P iiP ii Pet) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_peter/1-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Peter 1:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Peter 1:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_peter/1-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Peter 1:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Peter 1:17" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>