2 Peter 1:16-21

Reliable Truths

Peter has been talking about writing this epistle to them so they would remember the important doctrines he, and others, had previously taught them. Now, he tells the reason for wanting to do that as he begins with the word "For". Peter and the other apostles were not following after the artfully designed myths of Greek and Roman mythology when they spoke of Christ's second coming, which would be with power (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; 1 Corinthians 15:23-26). Instead, they had personally seen Jesus and the greatness he so often displayed (2 Peter 1:16).

Peter isolated on one display of Christ's greatness, the transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-13; Mark 9:2-13; Luke 9:28-36). McGarvey notes that Luke's account says Jesus took Peter, James and John apart with him "to pray." He further notes that Jesus customarily went aside to pray at night (Matthew 14:23; Luke 6:12; Luke 21:37; Luke 22:39-41) and concludes this event was at night also. During the transfiguration, Jesus' body radiated light like the sun.

Peter identifies the voice from heaven as that of the Father and says His statement gave honor and glory to Christ. Particularly, it showed Christ's greatness as God's messenger over and above Moses, the lawgiver, and Elijah, the prophet (Hebrews 1:1-2). Interestingly, the Jews understood the claim of Sonship to be one which made Jesus equal with God (John 5:17-18). God's statements clearly show his love for the Son and recognition of that equality (2 Peter 1:17).

The event was not one dreamed up as a myth would be, but Peter, James and John were on the mount and heard the voice. The mount was holy because God was manifested there (Exodus 3:1-6; Exodus 19:10-13; Joshua 5:13-15).

The transfiguration gave the apostles more confidence in the Old Testament prophets. Peter's readers were advised to pay close attention to those prophets. Their prophecies were like a lamp shining in a sin-darkened world. That light would aid them until the dawn of understanding began to really illuminate their hearts. Jesus is pictured as the "day star", which is Venus, because full acceptance of him truly heralds the morning of the Christians' day of understanding (2 Peter 1:18-19).

To truly understand prophecy, one must first realize that such was not the product of the prophet's own mind, or invention. Instead, they were carried along in their speaking, much as a ship is carried along by the wind, by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:20-21).