2 Peter 1:21

because no human beings decided to make those prophecies. On the contrary, those who spoke messages from God did that because it was the Holy Spirit who caused them to do it, and therefore the Spirit must help us to interpret/understand their meaning.

Translation for Translators

In The King James Version

For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

In Context

20It is important that you realize that no one can interpret/explain by himself the meaning of what the prophets wrote in the Scriptures without the help of God’s Spirit (OR, no part of the Scriptures originated with the prophet himself),

Read all of 2 Peter 1

Cross References

Numbers 16:28Then Moses/I said, “I was not the one who decided to do all these things that I have done. It was Yahweh who chose me and sent me to do them. And now he will prove that to you.

Joshua 14:6One day some men from the tribe of Judah went to Joshua while he and all the Israelis were at Gilgal. Among those men was Jephunneh’s son Caleb. He said to Joshua, “ I am sure that you remember what Yahweh said to the prophet Moses about you and me when we were at Kadesh-Barnea.

1 Kings 13:1One day a prophet, obeying what Yahweh commanded him to do, went from Judah north to Bethel. He arrived there right at the time that Jeroboam was standing at the altar, ready to burn incense.

1 Kings 17:24The woman said to Elijah, “Now I know for certain that you are a prophet and that the words that you speak are truly from Yahweh!”

2 Kings 4:9One day the woman said to her husband, “I am sure that this man who often comes here is a prophet who brings messages from God.

2 Kings 6:10So the king of Israel would send messengers to warn the people who lived in that place, and the people would remain on guard. That happened several times.

Matthew Henry on 2 Peter 1:20-21

Inspiration of the Scriptures. ( a. d. 67.) 19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. In these words the apostle lays down another argument to prove the… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study 2 Peter 1:21