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.

2 PETER 1:16KJV
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2 Peter 1:16 (KJV)

What does 2 Peter 1:16 mean?

2 Peter 1:16 says that the message about Jesus’ power and coming rested on the speakers’ own experience, not on stories they had cleverly made up. Peter points to something he and others had seen: Jesus’ greatness displayed before them.

The verse turns from Peter’s promise to keep reminding his readers to the grounds for his message. His “we” includes the other witnesses who were with him when they saw Jesus’ glory.

The Greek behind 2 Peter 1:16

  • “coming” — παρουσία (parousia): This word can mean a coming or an arrival. It was also used for the arrival or presence of an important person, which fits the verse’s emphasis on Jesus’ power and majesty.
  • “eyewitnesses” — ἐπόπται (epoptai): The word refers to people who have seen something firsthand. Peter presents himself and the others as direct witnesses, rather than people passing along a story they had only heard.

Why 2 Peter 1:16 matters

  • The experience Peter points to was a particular event. Verses 17–18 describe the honor Jesus received from God and a voice heard on the holy mountain.
  • Peter links that event to the message he had already given his readers. The words “when we made known unto you” show that he is explaining the basis for what they had heard about Jesus.
  • The wider passage also points readers to the words of the prophets. In verse 19, Peter connects what he and the others witnessed with those earlier messages.

Where else these words appear

“devised” Greek G4679 · used in 2 verses

  • 2 Timothy 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

“have” Greek G1811 · used in 3 verses

  • 2 Peter 2:2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
  • 2 Peter 2:15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

“majesty” Greek G3168 · used in 3 verses

  • Luke 9:43 And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples,
  • Acts 19:27 So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.

“fables” Greek G3454 · used in 5 verses

  • 1 Timothy 1:4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
  • 1 Timothy 4:7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
  • 2 Timothy 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.