2 Peter 1:16

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} we have {G1811} not {G3756} followed {G1811} cunningly devised {G4679} fables {G3454}, when we made known {G1107} unto you {G5213} the power {G1411} and {G2532} coming {G3952} of our {G2257} Lord {G2962} Jesus {G2424} Christ {G5547}, but {G235} were {G1096} eyewitnesses {G2030} of his {G1565} majesty {G3168}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For when we made known to you the power and the coming of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, we did not rely on cunningly contrived myths. On the contrary, we saw his majesty with our own eyes.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 2 Peter 1:16, the Apostle Peter emphatically asserts the divine origin and historical veracity of the apostolic message concerning Jesus Christ. He refutes any notion that their proclamation of Christ's power and future return was based on fabricated tales or human speculation, instead grounding it firmly in their direct, personal experience as eyewitnesses of His transcendent majesty, particularly referencing the Transfiguration. This verse serves as a foundational declaration of the reliability and authority of the Gospel, distinguishing it from mere myths and establishing the objective reality of Christ's person and work.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal statement within Peter's broader exhortation in [2 Peter 1](/2_peter/1 "2 Peter 1 - Growth in Grace and Knowledge"). Having just urged believers to diligently grow in their faith and virtue, promising that such growth ensures they will not be "barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ" ([2 Peter 1:8](/2_peter/1-8 "2 Peter 1:8 - Bearing Fruit in Knowledge")), Peter now turns to the authoritative source of this knowledge. He is building a case for the certainty and divine origin of the truth they have received, which he will further solidify by appealing to the "more sure word of prophecy" in [2 Peter 1:19](/2_peter/1-19 "2 Peter 1:19 - The Sure Word of Prophecy"). Verse 16 directly contrasts the apostolic message with "cunningly devised fables," setting up the subsequent appeal to both eyewitness testimony and prophetic fulfillment as twin pillars of Christian truth.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the first century, the early Christian church faced challenges from both external skepticism and internal false teachings. Philosophies and mystery religions often relied on elaborate myths and speculative narratives to explain the divine, leading to a climate where the historical claims of Christianity could be easily dismissed as just another "fable." Peter's assertion of eyewitness testimony was a powerful apologetic, appealing to a widely accepted standard of truth in the ancient world, where direct observation was paramount in establishing credibility. Furthermore, the burgeoning Gnostic tendencies, which often spiritualized or allegorized historical events, posed a threat to the concrete, historical reality of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. Peter's emphasis on "eyewitnesses" directly counters such attempts to undermine the historical foundation of the Christian faith.

* **Key Themes:** The central themes woven into [2 Peter 1:16](/2_peter/1-16 "2 Peter 1:16 - Eyewitnesses of Christ's Majesty") include the **Authenticity of the Apostolic Message**, which is presented as divinely revealed truth, not human invention. This authenticity is underscored by the theme of **Eyewitness Testimony**, particularly referring to the [Transfiguration of Christ](/matthew/17-1-8 "Matthew 17:1-8 - The Transfiguration"), where Peter, James, and John witnessed a profound display of Jesus' divine glory. This personal encounter forms the bedrock of their proclamation. Finally, the verse highlights the **Reality of Christ's Power and Coming**, emphasizing both His present divine authority and the certainty of His future return, often referred to as the [Parousia](/1_thessalonians/4-16 "1 Thessalonians 4:16 - The Lord's Return"). These themes collectively affirm the objective, historical, and eschatological dimensions of the Christian faith.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **fables (Greek, _mŷthos'_):** This term refers to fictitious stories, legends, or fabrications that lack historical basis and are often designed to entertain or deceive. Peter uses it to sharply contrast the apostolic message, which is grounded in verifiable experience, with the speculative, imaginative narratives prevalent in the ancient world that offered no real truth or hope.
* **coming (Greek, _parousía'_):** Derived from a word meaning "being near" or "presence," _parousía_ signifies an "advent," "arrival," or "return." In the New Testament, it is a crucial theological term primarily used to describe the glorious Second Coming of Jesus Christ, emphasizing His future visible and powerful return to establish His eternal kingdom and judge the living and the dead.
* **eyewitnesses (Greek, _epóptēs'_):** This word literally means "a looker-on" or "one who has seen with his own eyes." It implies a direct, personal, and verifiable observation, lending immense credibility and authority to the testimony of the apostles. Peter is asserting that their message is not hearsay or speculation, but based on irrefutable, first-hand experience of Christ's divine nature.
* **majesty (Greek, _megaleiótēs'_):** Signifying "superbness," "glory," or "splendor," this term captures the overwhelming divine glory and magnificence that Peter and the other apostles witnessed during the Transfiguration. It speaks to the inherent greatness and transcendent nature of Christ, a visible manifestation of His divine essence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For we have not followed cunningly devised fables,"**: Peter begins with a strong negation, asserting that the apostles' message is not rooted in human invention or deceptive narratives. The phrase "cunningly devised" (Greek: _sophízō_) implies a clever, perhaps even manipulative, construction of stories, contrasting sharply with the divine truth they proclaimed. This immediately sets the apostolic testimony apart from the myths and philosophical speculations common in their day.
* **"when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,"**: This clause specifies the content of the apostolic proclamation: the "power" (_dýnamis_) and "coming" (_parousía_) of Jesus Christ. "Power" refers to His inherent divine authority and miraculous ability, while "coming" points definitively to His future glorious return. The apostles were not just sharing abstract ideas, but concrete truths about the person and work of Jesus, both past and future.
* **"but were eyewitnesses of his majesty."**: This is the crucial affirmation that validates the preceding statement. The conjunction "but" (_allá_) introduces a powerful contrast. Their knowledge was not derived from fables but from direct, personal observation. The "majesty" (_megaleiótēs_) refers specifically to the Transfiguration, where Peter, James, and John saw Jesus supernaturally glorified, revealing a glimpse of His inherent divine splendor and confirming His identity as the Son of God. This direct experience provided an unshakeable foundation for their preaching.

#### Literary Devices
The verse powerfully employs **Contrast**, setting the "cunningly devised fables" against the "eyewitness" testimony of the apostles. This rhetorical device highlights the distinct nature of Christian truth as historically grounded and divinely revealed, rather than being a product of human imagination. Peter also uses **Assertion** and **Declaration**, speaking with an authoritative tone that leaves no room for doubt regarding the veracity of their message. The entire statement functions as an **Appeal to Experience/Testimony**, leveraging the apostles' direct observation of Christ's glory as irrefutable proof of the truth they proclaim. This appeal is designed to build confidence in the recipients of the letter, assuring them that their faith is built on solid, verifiable ground.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly undergirds the historical reliability of the Christian faith, asserting that the Gospel is not a collection of philosophical musings or spiritualized myths, but a report of real events witnessed by real people. Peter's emphasis on being "eyewitnesses of his majesty" directly links the apostolic proclamation to the divine glory of Jesus, particularly as manifested at the Transfiguration. This event served as a powerful preview of Christ's future glorious return (His _parousía_), providing an unshakeable foundation for the hope of believers. The apostles' testimony, therefore, is not merely human opinion but a divinely attested declaration of Christ's true identity, power, and ultimate triumph. This ensures that the Christian faith is rooted in objective reality and divine revelation, offering a firm anchor for spiritual truth in a world prone to speculation and deception.

* [Matthew 17:1-8](/matthew/17-1-8 "Matthew 17:1-8 - The Transfiguration of Jesus")
* [Mark 9:2-8](/mark/9-2-8 "Mark 9:2-8 - Jesus Transfigured")
* [Luke 9:28-36](/luke/9-28-36 "Luke 9:28-36 - The Transfiguration")
* [1 John 1:1-3](/1_john/1-1-3 "1 John 1:1-3 - The Word of Life")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For believers today, 2 Peter 1:16 offers profound reassurance and a vital call to discernment. It reminds us that our faith is not built on speculative myths, fleeting trends, or feel-good stories, but on the unshakeable historical reality of Jesus Christ and the reliable, divinely inspired testimony of those who knew Him personally. In an age saturated with competing narratives and "alternative facts," Peter's emphasis on eyewitness accounts and the tangible manifestation of Christ's glory serves as a timeless standard for evaluating truth claims. This verse encourages us to ground our faith deeply in the objective truths of Scripture, to anticipate Christ's certain return with confident hope, and to cultivate a discerning spirit that recognizes and rejects anything that deviates from the authentic, Christ-centered message. Our spiritual growth is inextricably linked to our firm grasp of this foundational truth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the historical reality of Jesus' life and the apostles' eyewitness testimony strengthen your faith in a world prone to skepticism?**
* **In what ways might "cunningly devised fables" (modern equivalents) seek to undermine the truth of Christ's power and coming in our contemporary culture?**
* **How does the concept of Christ's "majesty" and future "coming" influence your daily living and your hope for the future?**

### FAQ
**What were the "cunningly devised fables" Peter refers to?**

Answer: While Peter does not specify particular fables, the term "cunningly devised fables" (Greek: _mŷthos_) generally refers to fictitious stories, legends, or speculative narratives that were common in the ancient world, particularly in philosophical schools and mystery religions. These could include human-invented myths about the gods, allegorical interpretations of historical events that stripped them of their literal truth, or early forms of Gnostic teachings that denied the physical reality of Jesus or the historical nature of salvation. Peter uses this phrase to sharply distinguish the apostolic message, which is based on verifiable eyewitness testimony of [Jesus' life and glory](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), from any form of human fabrication or deceptive narrative that lacked historical grounding.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in [2 Peter 1:16](/2_peter/1-16 "2 Peter 1:16 - Eyewitnesses of Christ's Majesty") lies in Jesus Christ Himself being the embodiment of the truth, the very reality that stands in stark contrast to "cunningly devised fables." The apostles' testimony of His "power and coming" is not mere human speculation but a direct witness to the divine Son of God, whose glory they beheld. The Transfiguration, to which Peter alludes, was a pre-incarnate glimpse of Christ's divine majesty, a foretaste of the glory He possessed before the world began ([John 17:5](/john/17-5 "John 17:5 - Jesus' Prayer for Glory")) and the glory He will fully manifest at His Second Coming ([Revelation 1:7](/revelation/1-7 "Revelation 1:7 - Every Eye Will See Him")). Jesus is not a mythological figure; He is the historical person who walked among us, performed miracles demonstrating His divine power ([John 2:11](/john/2-11 "John 2:11 - First Sign at Cana")), died for our sins, and rose again, validating every claim made about Him. The eyewitnesses saw His glory, confirming that the "Lamb of God" who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")) is also the majestic Lord who will return in power and great glory ([Matthew 24:30](/matthew/24-30 "Matthew 24:30 - The Sign of the Son of Man")). Thus, the truth of the Gospel is anchored in the person of Christ, who is Himself the power and the certain hope of His glorious return.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 John 4:14

¶ And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son [to be] the Saviour of the world.

John 1:14

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

1 Timothy 1:4

Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: [so do].

1 John 1:1

¶ That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;

1 John 1:3

That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship [is] with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 2:4

And my speech and my preaching [was] not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

1 Timothy 4:7

But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself [rather] unto godliness.