2 Peter 1:17

KJV

For 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} he received {G2983} from {G3844} God {G2316} the Father {G3962} honour {G5092} and {G2532} glory {G1391}, when there came {G5342} such {G5107} a voice {G5456} to him {G846} from {G5259} the excellent {G3169} glory {G1391}, This {G3778} is {G2076} my {G3450} beloved {G27} Son {G5207}, in {G1519} whom {G3739} I {G1473} am well pleased {G2106}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For we were there when he received honor and glory from God the Father; and the voice came to him from the grandeur of the Sh’khinah, saying, “This is my son, whom I love; I am well pleased with him!”

Berean Standard Bible

For 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.”

American Standard Version

For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there was borne such a voice to him by the Majestic Glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 2 Peter 1:17, the Apostle Peter recounts a profound personal experience at the Transfiguration, where Jesus was divinely affirmed by God the Father. A majestic voice from an "excellent glory" declared Jesus as "my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased," a pivotal moment that solidified Peter's faith and provides irrefutable eyewitness testimony to Christ's divine identity, grounding the truth of the gospel message not in human fables but in divine revelation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically positioned within Peter's second epistle, written as a final testament shortly before his anticipated death ([2 Peter 1:14](/2_peter/1-14 "2 Peter 1:14 - Peter's Foreknowledge of Death")). Having established his apostolic authority and the divine origin of his message in the preceding verse, Peter grounds his teaching in personal, verifiable experience, explicitly stating that he and the other apostles "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" ([2 Peter 1:16](/2_peter/1-16 "2 Peter 1:16 - Eyewitnesses of His Majesty")). The recounting of the Transfiguration serves as the ultimate empirical evidence against any speculative or mythical narratives, underscoring the absolute reliability of the Christian message and setting the stage for Peter's subsequent exhortation to heed the "more sure word of prophecy" ([2 Peter 1:19](/2_peter/1-19 "2 Peter 1:19 - The More Sure Word of Prophecy")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Transfiguration, which Peter vividly recalls, was a pivotal event during Jesus' earthly ministry, witnessed by Peter, James, and John. It occurred on a high mountain, a setting often associated with divine encounters and revelations in both Jewish and broader ancient Near Eastern traditions (e.g., Moses on Mount Sinai). In the Greco-Roman world of Peter's audience, various philosophical schools and mystery religions offered competing "truths" often based on human reasoning, mythological narratives, or esoteric knowledge. Peter's emphasis on direct eyewitness testimony and a clear divine voice from "excellent glory" directly counters such human-centric or speculative claims, asserting the unique, historical, and divinely attested nature of Christian truth. The concept of "glory" (doxa) would have resonated with both Jewish (Shekinah glory) and Hellenistic (divine splendor) understandings, signaling an unparalleled divine manifestation.
* **Key Themes:** Peter's recounting of the Transfiguration in [2 Peter 1:17](/2_peter/1-17 "2 Peter 1:17 - The Voice from Heaven") powerfully reinforces several core themes central to his epistle. Firstly, it unequivocally affirms the **Divine Sonship of Jesus Christ**, as God the Father explicitly identifies Him as "my beloved Son," establishing His unique ontological relationship with the Father and His messianic identity. This divine declaration echoes the affirmation at Jesus' baptism ([Matthew 3:17](/matthew/3-17 "Matthew 3:17 - Jesus' Baptism and God's Affirmation")), providing a consistent and powerful divine witness. Secondly, the passage highlights the **Reliability and Authority of Apostolic Witness**, as Peter, a direct eyewitness, grounds his teaching not in human invention but in a verifiable, supernatural encounter. This serves as a foundational defense against the false teachings and skepticism Peter warns against throughout the epistle ([2 Peter 2](/2_peter/2 "2 Peter 2 - False Teachers and Their Destruction")). Finally, the verse speaks to the **Manifestation of God's Inherent Glory**, as Jesus is seen in a state of "honour and glory" and the voice emanates from "excellent glory," providing a fleeting but profound glimpse into the divine realm and the inherent majesty of the triune God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **glory (Greek, _dóxa'_):** This term signifies visible splendor, honor, and renown, often associated with the manifest presence of God. In this context, it refers to the radiant, awe-inspiring light and majesty that enveloped Jesus during the Transfiguration, a physical manifestation of His inherent divine nature and the source from which the Father's voice emanated. It denotes a divine brilliance that commands reverence and worship.
* **excellent (Greek, _megaloprepḗs'_):** Meaning "magnificent," "majestic," or "befitting greatness," this adjective intensifies the description of the glory from which the voice came. It conveys an overwhelming, unparalleled grandeur and splendor, emphasizing the supreme majesty of God the Father's presence and the extraordinary nature of the divine revelation.
* **well pleased (Greek, _eudokéō'_):** This verb denotes divine approval, delight, and satisfaction. When God the Father declares Himself "well pleased" with His Son, it signifies His perfect approval of Jesus' person, His mission, and His obedience, affirming His unique and beloved status. It suggests a profound and complete divine contentment with Jesus' every action and His very being.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For he received from God the Father honour and glory":** Peter initiates his account by emphasizing that Jesus was the recipient of divine exaltation. The "honour and glory" refer to the visible manifestation of Christ's divine majesty during the Transfiguration, where His appearance was supernaturally transformed. This was not an earned status but a direct revelation of His inherent divine nature, bestowed and affirmed by God the Father Himself.
* **"when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory":** This clause describes the audible, supernatural affirmation from God. The phrase "excellent glory" points to the source of the voice as being the very presence of God the Father, enveloped in overwhelming, majestic splendor. The voice was not merely an internal impression but an external, audible declaration, heard by Peter and the other apostles present, confirming the divine origin of the message.
* **"This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.":** This is the direct divine pronouncement, echoing the words spoken at Jesus' baptism. "This is my beloved Son" unequivocally declares Jesus' unique filial relationship with God the Father, affirming His divine identity, pre-existence, and messianic role. The phrase "in whom I am well pleased" signifies the Father's complete approval, delight, and satisfaction with Jesus' person and His mission, highlighting His perfect obedience and righteousness as the incarnate Son.

#### Literary Devices
Peter effectively employs several **literary devices** to convey the profound significance of the Transfiguration. The passage primarily utilizes **Eyewitness Testimony**, lending irrefutable credibility to Peter's claims by recounting a direct, personal experience of divine revelation. The phrase "excellent glory" employs potent **Imagery** and **Hyperbole**, painting a vivid picture of overwhelming divine splendor that transcends ordinary human experience, emphasizing the extraordinary nature of the event. The direct quotation of God the Father's words, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased," serves as a powerful **Divine Pronouncement**, imbuing the narrative with ultimate authority and theological weight, echoing similar pronouncements at Jesus' baptism and highlighting the Father's unequivocal affirmation of the Son.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Peter 1:17 stands as a profound theological anchor, affirming the absolute divinity of Jesus Christ and the irrefutable reliability of the apostolic witness. The Father's declaration, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased," is a direct divine endorsement, revealing the unique, eternal relationship between the Father and the Son. This event, the Transfiguration, serves as a pre-resurrection glimpse into Christ's inherent glory, validating His identity as the Messiah and the very Son of God. It underscores that Christian faith is not founded on human speculation or "cunningly devised fables" but on historical, divinely attested realities, witnessed by those chosen by God. This divine affirmation provides an unshakeable foundation for the gospel message and the authority of Scripture, demonstrating God's active involvement in revealing His Son to humanity.

* [Matthew 17:5](/matthew/17-5 "Matthew 17:5 - The Voice from the Cloud at the Transfiguration")
* [Mark 9:7](/mark/9-7 "Mark 9:7 - God's Voice at the Transfiguration")
* [Luke 9:35](/luke/9-35 "Luke 9:35 - The Heavenly Voice at the Transfiguration")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The profound truth of 2 Peter 1:17 offers immense spiritual nourishment and practical guidance for believers today. Just as Peter's faith was solidified by this direct encounter with divine glory and affirmation, our faith can be strengthened by meditating on the revealed truth of Jesus' divine Sonship. In a world saturated with competing narratives, doubts, and false teachings, this verse reminds us that the foundation of our hope is not human wisdom or fleeting experiences but the very word of God concerning His Son. It calls us to trust implicitly in Christ's identity and mission, knowing that He is fully approved and delighted in by the Father. This divine pleasure in Jesus extends to all who are "in Christ," inviting us into a relationship of acceptance and belovedness. Furthermore, Peter's emphasis on eyewitness testimony encourages us to value and diligently study the authoritative Scriptures, which bear witness to these foundational truths and provide a "more sure word of prophecy" for our lives and a steadfast anchor for our souls.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the Father's declaration, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased," deepen your understanding of Jesus' identity and your trust in Him?**
* **In what ways does Peter's eyewitness account of the Transfiguration strengthen your confidence in the truth and reliability of the gospel message amidst contemporary challenges to faith?**
* **How can reflecting on God's "excellent glory" and His profound pleasure in Christ motivate you to live a life that seeks to honor and please Him?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "excellent glory" mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: The "excellent glory" (Greek: _megaloprepḗs dóxa_) refers to the magnificent, majestic, and overwhelming splendor of God's presence from which the Father's voice emanated during the Transfiguration. It signifies the supreme majesty and divine brilliance that accompanied this direct revelation, emphasizing the extraordinary and supernatural nature of the event. This was not merely a loud sound, but a voice that came from the very essence of God's manifest glory, underscoring the divine authority and weight of the words spoken about Jesus. It serves as a powerful visual and auditory confirmation of Jesus' divine identity and the truth of the apostolic message, demonstrating that the apostles were not following "cunningly devised fables" ([2 Peter 1:16](/2_peter/1-16 "2 Peter 1:16 - Eyewitnesses of His Majesty")) but were witnesses to a genuine divine encounter.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
2 Peter 1:17 provides a profound glimpse into the Christ-centered reality of God's redemptive plan, revealing Jesus as the divinely appointed and supremely approved Son, the very embodiment of God's glory. The Father's declaration, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased," is the ultimate affirmation of Jesus' unique person and His perfect obedience, which culminates in His atoning work on the cross. This voice from "excellent glory" foreshadows the ultimate glory Christ would receive through His resurrection and ascension, where He was "declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead" ([Romans 1:4](/romans/1-4 "Romans 1:4 - Jesus Declared Son of God by Resurrection")). The honor and glory Jesus received at the Transfiguration were a preview of the eternal glory He now possesses at the right hand of the Father, where He continually intercedes for His people ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Priesthood")). Through His perfect life, sacrificial death, and glorious resurrection, Jesus, the beloved Son in whom the Father is well pleased, becomes the means by which believers are brought into a relationship of favor and acceptance with God, enabling them to share in His divine nature ([2 Peter 1:4](/2_peter/1-4 "2 Peter 1:4 - Partakers of the Divine Nature")) and becoming "heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ" ([Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Romans 8:17 - Heirs with Christ")). The Transfiguration, therefore, is not merely a historical event but a powerful testimony to the preeminence of Christ, the one through whom all of God's promises find their "Yes" and "Amen" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises are Yes in Christ")).

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

Mark 9:7

And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

Matthew 17:5

While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

Matthew 3:17

And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Luke 3:22

And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

Luke 9:34

While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.

Luke 9:35

And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

Mark 1:11

And there came a voice from heaven, [saying], Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.