2 Peter 2:17

KJV

These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.

KJV (with Strong's)

These {G3778} are {G1526} wells {G4077} without water {G504}, clouds {G3507} that are carried {G1643} with {G5259} a tempest {G2978}; to whom {G3739} the mist {G2217} of darkness {G4655} is reserved {G5083} for {G1519} ever {G165}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Waterless springs they are, mists driven by a gust of wind; for them has been reserved the blackest darkness.

Berean Standard Bible

These men are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them.

American Standard Version

These are springs without water, and mists driven by a storm; for whom the blackness of darkness hath been reserved.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Peter 2:17 offers a scathing indictment of false teachers, vividly portraying them as spiritually barren and inherently unstable. Through potent metaphors, the apostle Peter reveals that these deceptive individuals, despite their outward appearance or promises, offer no genuine spiritual refreshment or solid foundation, ultimately destined for an eternal state of profound darkness and divine judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within 2 Peter chapter 2, a forceful and unsparing denunciation of false teachers who threaten the early Christian community. Peter begins the chapter by warning that "false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies" [2 Peter 2:1](/2_peter/2-1 "2 Peter 2:1 - Warning Against False Teachers"). He then provides historical examples of God's swift and certain judgment against rebellion, including the fallen angels, the flood, and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah [2 Peter 2:4-9](/2_peter/2-4-9 "2 Peter 2:4-9 - Examples of God's Judgment"). Verse 17 specifically characterizes these deceivers, building upon earlier descriptions of their covetousness, sensuality, and their deceptive promises of liberty, which are ultimately a form of enslavement [2 Peter 2:18-19](/2_peter/2-18-19 "2 Peter 2:18-19 - Empty Promises and Enslavement"). The metaphors in verse 17 serve to underscore the utter emptiness and destructive nature of their teachings, setting the stage for the final pronouncements of their certain doom.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the Greco-Roman world, itinerant philosophers, rhetoricians, and religious teachers were common, often vying for followers and influence. Peter's warning likely addresses proto-Gnostic tendencies or other forms of antinomianism that were beginning to infiltrate Christian communities, promising "knowledge" or "freedom" that often led to moral laxity. The imagery used in this verse would have resonated deeply with an audience familiar with the arid climate of the Middle East. A "well without water" was a cruel deception, a symbol of broken hope in a land where water was life. Similarly, "clouds carried with a tempest" would evoke the frustration of a storm that brings no life-giving rain, only wind and destruction, leaving the land parched. The concept of "darkness" as a place of judgment or separation from God's light was a pervasive biblical and ancient Near Eastern motif.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes prevalent in 2 Peter and the broader New Testament. Firstly, it highlights **Spiritual Emptiness and Deception**, emphasizing that false teaching, despite its allure, offers no genuine spiritual nourishment or truth, leaving its adherents parched and unfulfilled. This contrasts sharply with the "living water" offered by Christ [John 4:14](/john/4-14 "John 4:14 - Jesus, the Living Water"). Secondly, the imagery conveys **Instability and Lack of Substance**, underscoring that false doctrines are not rooted in divine truth but are instead erratic and unreliable, like clouds driven aimlessly by a storm. This stands in stark opposition to the steadfastness and firm foundation found in God's Word and Christ [1 Corinthians 3:11](/1_corinthians/3-11 "1 Corinthians 3:11 - Christ, the Foundation"). Finally, the verse strongly asserts the **Certainty of Divine Judgment**, portraying a specific and inescapable eternal doom for those who propagate such destructive heresies. This "mist of darkness" is a powerful symbol of ultimate condemnation and separation from God's light, echoing similar warnings about the fate of the ungodly found in other epistles [Jude 1:13](/jude/1-13 "Jude 1:13 - Wandering Stars, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **wells (Greek, _pēgḗ'_):** From a root suggesting "gushing plumply," this word refers to a fount, spring, or source of water. In this context, it signifies a place from which one would expect to draw life-giving water, making the phrase "wells without water" a profound antithesis, highlighting the deceptive promise of refreshment where none exists.
* **without water (Greek, _ánydros'_):** A compound word formed from a negative particle and "water," meaning "waterless" or "dry." This adjective directly negates the expected function of a well or cloud, emphasizing the complete barrenness and futility of the false teachers' message. They are utterly devoid of spiritual life or truth.
* **reserved (Greek, _tēréō'_):** This verb means "to guard," "keep," or "preserve" (from loss or injury), often implying a careful custody or detention. Here, it is used in a passive sense, indicating that the "mist of darkness" is specifically and securely held in store for these individuals, underscoring the certainty and intentionality of their divine judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"These are wells without water,"**: This opening metaphor immediately establishes the deceptive and barren nature of the false teachers. Like a traveler in a parched land approaching a well only to find it dry, those who seek spiritual nourishment from these individuals will be bitterly disappointed. They promise life and truth but deliver only emptiness and spiritual dehydration.
* **"clouds that are carried with a tempest;"**: Building on the previous image, this second metaphor emphasizes the instability, unreliability, and ultimately destructive potential of the false teachers. Clouds are expected to bring rain, but these are merely driven by a violent storm (tempest), offering no refreshing moisture, only chaos and unproductive movement. Their teachings are not grounded in truth but are swayed by their own desires or external pressures, bringing no true spiritual benefit, only turmoil.
* **"to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever."**: This final clause reveals the grim and certain destiny of these deceivers. The "mist of darkness" (Greek: _zóphos tou skótous_) signifies a profound, terrifying, and impenetrable gloom, often associated with the underworld or a place of divine punishment. The phrase "is reserved for ever" underscores the eternal and inescapable nature of this judgment, indicating that this ultimate condemnation is their appointed and secure fate, a just recompense for leading others astray from the light of truth.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs powerful **Metaphor** to depict the nature and destiny of false teachers. They are directly equated with "wells without water" and "clouds that are carried with a tempest," rather than merely being compared to them. This direct identification makes the condemnation more absolute and vivid. The imagery itself functions as potent **Symbolism**: the dry well and aimless clouds symbolize spiritual barrenness, deception, and instability, while the "mist of darkness" symbolizes eternal judgment, separation from God, and ultimate despair. The use of such stark, negative imagery creates a strong **Juxtaposition** with the expected life-giving properties of wells and clouds, highlighting the perverse and destructive nature of these false teachers. The phrase "reserved for ever" also carries an element of **Hyperbole** or intense emphasis, underscoring the absolute and unchangeable nature of their impending doom.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The profound warning in 2 Peter 2:17 resonates deeply with the broader biblical narrative concerning the nature of truth, the dangers of deception, and the certainty of divine justice. It underscores God's unwavering commitment to protecting His flock from those who would exploit or mislead them, demonstrating that spiritual barrenness and instability ultimately lead to eternal separation from His light. The "mist of darkness" is a powerful theological concept, representing not merely an absence of light, but an active state of impenetrable gloom and judgment, a stark contrast to the light and life found in Christ. This passage serves as a timeless reminder that genuine spiritual nourishment comes only from God's revealed truth, not from empty promises or self-serving doctrines.

* [Proverbs 25:14](/proverbs/25-14 "Proverbs 25:14 - Like clouds and wind without rain")
* [Jude 1:12-13](/jude/1-12-13 "Jude 1:12-13 - Similar descriptions of false teachers and their doom")
* [Matthew 7:15-20](/matthew/7-15-20 "Matthew 7:15-20 - You will recognize them by their fruits")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Second Peter 2:17 serves as an urgent and timeless call for spiritual discernment in the life of every believer. In an age saturated with diverse voices and claims, this verse compels us to critically evaluate the source of our spiritual nourishment. Are we drawing from genuine wells of living water, or are we being led to dry cisterns that promise much but deliver nothing? It challenges us to assess the stability and fruitfulness of the teachings we embrace. Do they provide a firm foundation in Christ, or do they merely drift aimlessly, carried by every passing "tempest" of cultural trend or personal desire? Ultimately, this passage reminds us that spiritual emptiness and deception carry eternal consequences, not just for the false teachers, but also for those who follow them. Therefore, steadfast adherence to the unadulterated Word of God and reliance on the Holy Spirit for guidance are paramount for navigating the spiritual landscape and identifying those who are truly "wells without water."

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How can I actively cultivate spiritual discernment in my daily life to identify "wells without water" or "clouds carried with a tempest" in contemporary teachings?**
* **What are the practical implications of seeking genuine spiritual nourishment from Christ, the "Living Water," rather than from deceptive sources?**
* **Considering the severe judgment reserved for false teachers, what responsibility do I have to warn others or protect myself and my community from such influences?**
* **How does the certainty of divine judgment for false teachers reinforce my trust in God's justice and His ultimate sovereignty over all things?**

### FAQ
**Who are these "false teachers" Peter is warning against, and how do their characteristics apply today?**

Answer: Peter describes false teachers as individuals who secretly introduce "destructive heresies" [2 Peter 2:1](/2_peter/2-1 "2 Peter 2:1 - Destructive Heresies"), exploit believers with "deceptive words" [2 Peter 2:3](/2_peter/2-3 "2 Peter 2:3 - Exploiting with Deceptive Words"), and indulge in "sensuality" [2 Peter 2:10](/2_peter/2-10 "2 Peter 2:10 - Sensual Pursuits"). They promise "liberty" but are themselves "slaves of corruption" [2 Peter 2:19](/2_peter/2-19 "2 Peter 2:19 - Slaves of Corruption"). Today, these characteristics manifest in those who distort biblical truth for personal gain, promote doctrines that undermine the authority of Scripture, encourage moral compromise, or offer empty promises of prosperity or spiritual shortcuts that lack genuine transformation. They often appear charismatic and persuasive but ultimately lead people away from the true Christ and His Word.

**What is the "mist of darkness" reserved for false teachers?**

Answer: The "mist of darkness" (Greek: _zóphos tou skótous_) is a powerful biblical metaphor for a place of profound, terrifying, and eternal gloom. It signifies ultimate condemnation, complete separation from God's light, presence, and blessing. It is not merely an absence of light but an active state of judgment and despair, often associated with the deepest parts of the underworld or Tartarus, where rebellious angels are confined [2 Peter 2:4](/2_peter/2-4 "2 Peter 2:4 - Angels in Tartarus"). This imagery underscores the severe and inescapable nature of the eternal punishment awaiting those who deliberately lead others astray from the truth of God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 2 Peter 2:17 powerfully describes the spiritual barrenness and ultimate doom of false teachers, its negative portrayal implicitly points to the glorious and life-giving reality found in Jesus Christ. Where false teachers are "wells without water," Jesus declares Himself to be the source of "living water," promising that whoever drinks of it "will never be thirsty again" [John 4:10-14](/john/4-10-14 "John 4:10-14 - Jesus and the Samaritan Woman"). Unlike the "clouds carried with a tempest" that offer no stability, Christ is the unshakeable "Rock" upon which a wise person builds their house, ensuring it will not fall when the storms come [Matthew 7:24-27](/matthew/7-24-27 "Matthew 7:24-27 - The Wise and Foolish Builders"). And in stark contrast to the "mist of darkness" reserved for those who deceive, Jesus is the "light of the world," and whoever follows Him "will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" [John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World"). Thus, this verse, by exposing the emptiness of falsehood, magnifies the fullness, steadfastness, and eternal light that are found only in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who came that we "may have life and have it abundantly" [John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - The Abundant Life").

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

Jude 1:12

These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds [they are] without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;

Jude 1:13

Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.

Jeremiah 14:3

And their nobles have sent their little ones to the waters: they came to the pits, [and] found no water; they returned with their vessels empty; they were ashamed and confounded, and covered their heads.

Ephesians 4:14

That we [henceforth] be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, [and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

2 Peter 2:4

For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast [them] down to hell, and delivered [them] into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

Matthew 8:12

But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Job 6:14

¶ To him that is afflicted pity [should be shewed] from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.