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.
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}.
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!”
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.”
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:
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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.
In 2 Peter 1:17, the Apostle Peter recounts a profound personal experience that solidified his faith and provides powerful evidence for the divine identity of Jesus Christ. This verse serves as a cornerstone of Peter's argument for the truth and certainty of the gospel message.
Context
This verse is part of Peter's final epistle, written shortly before his death. He is urging believers to remember the truth of the gospel and to grow in their faith, especially in light of impending false teachings. To underscore the reliability of the Christian message, Peter appeals to his own eyewitness testimony of Jesus' majesty, specifically recalling the Transfiguration. This event served as a powerful confirmation of Jesus' divine nature, proving that the apostles were not following "cunningly devised fables."
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Greek phrase translated "excellent glory" is megaloprepēs doxa (μεγαλοπρεπής δόξα). Megaloprepēs means "magnificent," "splendid," or "majestic," often used to describe royal splendor or divine majesty. Doxa means "glory," "honor," or "splendor." Together, they convey an overwhelming, awe-inspiring divine brilliance and majesty, perfectly describing the atmosphere from which the Father's voice emanated. This wasn't just a loud sound; it was a voice from the very presence of God's overwhelming and majestic glory.
Practical Application
For believers today, 2 Peter 1:17 offers profound assurance. It reminds us that our faith is not based on myths or human speculation but on historical events witnessed by reliable apostles. The divine affirmation of Jesus as God's beloved Son provides a firm foundation for our trust in Him. Just as God affirmed Jesus, He also delights in those who are in Christ. This verse encourages us to continually fix our gaze on the glory of Christ and to heed the divine word, knowing that it is utterly trustworthy. Peter concludes this section by pointing to the "more sure word of prophecy", emphasizing the supreme reliability of Scripture, which is confirmed by such divine experiences.