2 Peter 1:20-21 and Sola Scriptura in Historical Context
The Apostle Peter, in 2 Peter 1:20-21, addresses the origin and interpretation of prophetic scripture. The passage states, "knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of private interpretation. For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but men spake from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit" (ASV) [1]. This statement emphasizes that prophetic scripture does not originate from human will or personal understanding, but rather from divine inspiration [3].
The immediate context of these verses is Peter's argument for the certainty of Jesus' return and judgment, which he frames against the denials of false teachers [4]. Peter asserts the reliability of scriptural prophecy, contrasting it with "cleverly invented myths" [4]. He grounds this reliability in both his eyewitness experience of Christ's majesty (2 Peter 1:16-18) and the intrinsic nature of prophecy itself [4].
The phrase "no prophecy of scripture is of private interpretation" (ASV) [1] is central to understanding this passage. The Greek word for "private" (idias) suggests something belonging to oneself, or one's own [3]. The Tyndale House commentary suggests that the point is not that individuals cannot interpret scripture, but that the prophets themselves did not interpret their own visions independently. Instead, God made the meaning clear to them, ensuring their prophecies were reliable and clear [3]. This implies that the origin of prophecy is divine, not human, and therefore its meaning is not subject to the prophet's personal, uninspired understanding [3].
The subsequent verse, 2 Peter 1:21, reinforces this by stating that "no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but men spake from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit" (ASV) [1]. This highlights the divine impulse behind prophetic utterance, where human agents were instruments of God's communication [2]. This concept aligns with other biblical passages that speak of God's direct involvement in inspiring scripture, such as 2 Timothy 3:15, which refers to the sacred writings making one wise for salvation [2]. The Old Testament prophecies are seen as fulfilled in Christ, with God's "seal of approval" [5].
Sources
- II Peter “II Peter 1:20 (ASV) — knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of private interpretation.”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “2 Peter 1:21 cross-references: Numbers 16:28, Deuteronomy 33:1, Joshua 14:6, 2 Samuel 23:2, 1 Kings 13:1, 1 Kings 17:18, 1 Kings 17:24, 2 Kings 4:7, 2 Kings 4:9, 2 Kings 4:22, 2 Kings 6:10, 2 Kings 6:15, 1 Chronicles 23:14, 2 Chronicles 8:14, Micah 3:7, Mark 12:36, Luke 1:70, Acts 1:16, Acts 3:18, Acts 28:25, 2 Timothy 3:15, Hebrews 3:7, Hebrews 9:8, Hebrews 10:15, 1 Peter 1:11, Revelation 19:10”
- 2 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Peter 1:20: 1:20-21 came from the prophet’s own understanding (or is a matter of one’s own interpretation): The point is probably that the prophets were not left on their own to interpret the visions that God gave them. God made the meaning clear to the prophets, so that they could prophesy clearly and reliably.”
- 2 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Peter 1:16: 1:16-21 Peter’s denunciation of the false teachers (ch 2) is framed by this teaching about the certainty of Jesus’ return (see also 3:1-13). The false teachers were probably denying the reality of Christ’s return and judgment. Peter’s eyewitness experience (1:16-18) and the intrinsic reliability of scriptural prophecy (1:19-21) make Christ’s return a certainty. 1:16-18 clever stories (literally cleverly invented myths): The false teachers were probably charging that the message of Christ’s return was just an edifying fable with no factual truth. • We saw his maje”
- 2 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Corinthians 1:20: 1:20 God has put a seal of approval, with a resounding “Yes!” on the Old Testament prophecies as they are fulfilled in Christ. Believers respond with “Amen,” meaning “confirmed and agreed.””