King James Version
2 Peter
2 Peter in the King James Version (1769), public domain in the United States.
Background and History
The chapters above are the King James text. This essay is the setting of 2 Peter: who is said to have written it, when and where, what happens in it, and how the text has been copied.
At a Glance
| Author | Simon Peter, in the letter’s own words. The most disputed attribution in the New Testament: Eusebius lists it as disputed, and most critical scholars regard it as pseudonymous. |
|---|---|
| Date | About AD 65–68 in one survey, just before Peter’s death. The same survey gives AD 80–90 if pseudonymous. |
| Place written | Not named. Rome, Italy, is traditional. |
| Genre | A farewell letter or testament warning against false teachers. |
| Chapters | 3 |
| Verses | 61 in the King James Version |
| Key verse | 2 Peter 1:212 Peter 1:21 · King James VersionFor 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.2 Peter 1:21 · King James VersionOpen the Source |
Who Wrote It
2 Peter 1:12 Peter 1:1 · King James VersionSimon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:
2 Peter 1:1 · King James VersionOpen the Source (1) names Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:16–182 Peter 1:16–18 · King James Version1:16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
1:17 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.
1:18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.
2 Peter 1:16–18 · King James VersionOpen the Source claims eyewitness of the transfiguration. 2 Peter 3:12 Peter 3:1 · King James VersionThis second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
2 Peter 3:1 · King James VersionOpen the Source calls this the second epistle, and 2 Peter 3:15–162 Peter 3:15–16 · King James Version3:15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
3:16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
2 Peter 3:15–16 · King James VersionOpen the Source refers to Paul’s letters as Scripture.
Eusebius says in Church History 3.3.1 that Peter’s second epistle was not received as canonical, though many found it profitable and used it with the other Scriptures. In 3.25.3 he lists it among the disputed books recognized by many. (2) Origen, in 6.25, says a second epistle is doubtful. (3) Athanasius lists it among the catholic epistles in AD 367. (4) Most critical scholars regard it as written after Peter’s death, citing its different style from 1 Peter, its use of material close to Jude, and its reference to Paul’s letters as a collection. Defenders appeal to a different secretary and to the letter’s own claims. This is a real dispute, and the early church itself recorded it.
Who It Is Not
The Apocalypse of Peter and the Gospel of Peter are separate works not received into the canon. (2)
When and Where
Bible Gateway gives AD 65–68, or AD 80–90 if pseudonymous. (5) 2 Peter 1:142 Peter 1:14 · King James VersionKnowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.
2 Peter 1:14 · King James VersionOpen the Source says the writer must soon put off his tabernacle, as the Lord showed him.
Audience and Setting
Those who have obtained like precious faith, in 2 Peter 1:12 Peter 1:1 · King James VersionSimon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:
2 Peter 1:1 · King James VersionOpen the Source, apparently the same readers as 1 Peter according to 2 Peter 3:12 Peter 3:1 · King James VersionThis second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
2 Peter 3:1 · King James VersionOpen the Source. The purpose is to warn against false teachers who deny the Lord’s return.
Rulers at the Time
The letter names no ruler. This page adds none.
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Transfiguration | The writer claims to have been there. 2 Peter 1:16–182 Peter 1:16–18 · King James Version1:16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.1:17 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.1:18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.2 Peter 1:16–18 · King James VersionOpen the Source |
| The letter | AD 65–68, or AD 80–90 if pseudonymous. (5) |
Places in This Book
| Ancient name | Modern-day location | References |
|---|---|---|
| The holy mount | The mount of the transfiguration. The site is not named, and this page does not choose between traditional candidates. | 2 Peter 1:182 Peter 1:18 · King James VersionAnd this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.2 Peter 1:18 · King James VersionOpen the Source |
What Is Happening
2 Peter 1 calls readers to grow in virtue and grounds faith in eyewitness testimony and prophecy. 2 Peter 2 condemns false teachers with examples of judgment. 2 Peter 3 answers scoffers about the Lord’s delay and describes the day of the Lord.
Key Themes
Prophecy from God in 2 Peter 1:20–212 Peter 1:20–21 · King James Version1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
1:21 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.
2 Peter 1:20–21 · King James VersionOpen the Source. The Lord’s patience in 2 Peter 3:92 Peter 3:9 · King James VersionThe Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9 · King James VersionOpen the Source. Growth in grace in 2 Peter 3:182 Peter 3:18 · King James VersionBut grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
2 Peter 3:18 · King James VersionOpen the Source.
Apologetics Questions
Authorship and canon are the main questions, and both are stated above. The overlap with Jude in 2 Peter 2 is close, and most scholars think 2 Peter uses Jude.
How the Book Points to Christ
2 Peter 1:12 Peter 1:1 · King James VersionSimon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:
2 Peter 1:1 · King James VersionOpen the Source speaks of the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, which many Greek scholars read as one person, as in 2 Peter 1:112 Peter 1:11 · King James VersionFor so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 1:11 · King James VersionOpen the Source where our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ uses the same construction. 2 Peter 3:182 Peter 3:18 · King James VersionBut grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
2 Peter 3:18 · King James VersionOpen the Source gives glory to Jesus for ever. Jesus is God.
Text and Manuscripts
Codex Sinaiticus contains 2 Peter. (6) The verse pages show this site’s Greek beside the King James.
Canon Reception
Disputed in Eusebius’s day and received by the late fourth century. (2) (4)
Further Reading
How Was the Bible Canon Decided? explains the disputed books.
References
- Second Epistle of Peter, 1:1; 1:16–18; 3:1; 3:15–162 Peter 1:1 · King James Version
Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:
2 Peter 1:1 · King James VersionOpen the Source. King James Version - Church History, Book 3, 3.3.1; 3.25.3Papias, in Eusebius, Church History 3.39.15 · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, New Advent
Mark, having become the interpreter of Peter, wrote down accurately, though not in order, whatsoever he remembered of the things said or done by Christ. For he neither heard the Lord nor followed him, but afterward, as I said, he followed Peter, who adapted his teaching to the needs of his hearers, but with no intention of giving a connected account of the Lord's discourses, so that Mark committed no error while he thus wrote some things as he remembered them. For he was careful of one thing, not to omit any of the things which he had heard, and not to state any of them falsely.
Papias, in Eusebius, Church History 3.39.15 · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, New AdventOpen the Source (Eusebius, Church History 3.3, 3.24–25, and 3.39, Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, second series, vol. 1, on New Advent. Chapter 25 sorts books into acknowledged, disputed, and rejected. Chapter 39 reports Papias on Mark and Matthew.) - Church History, Book 6, 6.25.8 (Eusebius, Church History 6.14 and 6.25, reporting Clement of Alexandria and Origen. Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, second series, vol. 1, on New Advent.)
- Festal Letter 39, 39.4–5 (Athanasius of Alexandria, AD 367, Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, second series, vol. 4, on New Advent. The letter lists twenty-two Old Testament books and the twenty-seven books of the New Testament, and places Esther among books to be read rather than in the canon.)
- When Was Each Book of the Bible Written?, 2 Peter (Jacob Edson, Bible Gateway, 16 September 2024. The survey gives 2 Peter as AD 65–68 (or AD 80–90 if pseudonymous). It is one editor’s approximation, not a manuscript date.)
- Codex Sinaiticus, About the manuscriptCodex Sinaiticus: content · Codex Sinaiticus Project
Codex Sinaiticus, a manuscript of the Christian Bible written in the middle of the fourth century, contains the earliest complete copy of the Christian New Testament.
Codex Sinaiticus: content · Codex Sinaiticus ProjectOpen the Source (The Codex Sinaiticus project’s description of the manuscript, a fourth-century Greek Bible with the earliest complete copy of the New Testament.)
The King James Version (1769) is in the public domain in the United States.