“And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19).
Our text from 2 Peter 1:19 builds upon Peter’s earlier reference to Jesus’ transfiguration. A comparative look at some other translations of this passage can help us grasp the full meaning of this reference to “the prophetic word confirmed.” For instance, consider the following translations of 2 Peter 1:19…
“Moreover, we hold the prophetic word to be reliable…” (Mounce).
“Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets…” (NLT).
“We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable…” (NIV).
“So we regard the words of the prophets as confirmed beyond all doubt…” (GW).
This verse offers several additional aspects to consider when viewed in conjunction with the verses that precede it…
- First, we have Peter’s eyewitness testimony regarding Jesus’ transfiguration.
- We also have the presence of James and John, two other eyewitnesses.
- Finally we have the voice of God who said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (2 Peter 1:17 ESV).
Thus, we are presented with the corroborative testimony of multiple witnesses to Jesus’ majesty. Nevertheless, Peter upholds the authority of Scripture over that experience here in 2 Peter 1:19. Two sources lend their insight to this critical distinction…
“As sure as Peter was of what he had seen and heard, this was only his own experience and could only be given as a personal testimony to others. Thus, he stressed that God’s written Word, available to all in the Holy Scriptures, was more sure than any personal experience that he or others might have. It is not in Peter or Paul as men, no matter how sincere or holy they may be, that we must trust, but in Christ as revealed in God’s written Word.” (1)
“This translation could indicate that the eyewitness account of Christ’s majesty at the Transfiguration confirmed the Scriptures. However, the Gr. word order is crucial in that it does not say that. It says, ‘And we have more sure the prophetic word.’ That original arrangement of the sentence supports the interpretation that Peter is ranking Scripture over experience. The prophetic word (Scripture) is more complete, more permanent, and more authoritative than the experience of anyone. More specifically, the Word of God is a more reliable verification of the teachings about the person, atonement, and second coming of Christ than even the genuine first hand experiences of the apostles themselves.” (2)
(1) Institute for Creation Research, New Defender’s Study Bible Notes [2 Peter 1:19] https://www.icr.org/bible/2Pet/1/19/ Accessed 17 June 2024
(2) John F. MacArthur Jr., The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006), 2 Pe 1:19.