The Nugget:
2 Peter 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
2 Peter 1:20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of its own solution. (Sawyer NT)
2 Peter 1:20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. (ESV)
2 Peter 1:20 Above all, you do well if you recognize this: No prophecy of scripture ever comes about by the prophet’s own imagination, (NET Bible)
No prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation (see The New Topical Textbook, page 240, under “The Scriptures”). I have posted above a range of translations for this passage. Most translations I looked at follow the mistaken lead of the King James Version by utilizing the word “private.” That is a bad translation. The Greek word underlying that translation occurs well over 100 times in the NT. Only here is it translated “private.” The Greek word means either “his own” or “its own” in most contexts where it appears in the New Testament.
A careful reading of the context where this verse appears will demonstrate that Peter is not talking about the response of readers as they read Bible prophecy, but the source of the prophecies as they were penned by the human authors (see the very next verse, 2 Peter 1:21). The authors God used to write the Bible did not make use of their own ideas, but wrote as God directed and moved them to write by the Holy Spirit. The issue is not “private interpretation” but “divine inspiration” in this context.
There are those among us who would usurp authority and make the claim that they are the only source of authoritative teaching when it comes to the Bible. Don’t fall for this false claim based upon a faulty translation of this verse! I suspect that any supposed authorized “teaching authority” would be condemned today by our Lord Jesus Christ with words similar to those he used in His day at Luke 11:52.
The purpose of Peter is to assure the readers of his letter that God’s Word as it is written in the Bible is absolutely sure; it can be depended upon! It is true, and there is no reason to doubt its accuracy (2 Peter 1:19).
I have expounded and explained this passage in depth several times before on this site. See my February 14, 2010 post (https://realbiblestudy.com/?p=13). I have since then developed additional material to help understand this verse, but it is likely too long to post here. Some of what I now include in the notes for 2 Peter 1:20 can be found in the October, 2010 archives where I provide 23 rules of interpretation.
2 pe 1.20 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter
of one’s own interptation.
encouraging cross refs(the best commentary on the bible is the bible)
1. psm 19.7 The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul: The testimony of the
Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
2. isa 8.20 To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this
word, it is because they have no dawn.
3. Jn 5.39 You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal
life; and it is these that bear witness of Me;
4. ac 17.11 Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they
received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so
5. psm 119.105 Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.
6. prov 6.23 For the commandment is a lamp, and the teaching is light; and reproofs
for discipline are the way of life.
7. isa 9.2 The people who walk in darkness Will see a great light; Those who live
in a dark land, the light will shine on them.
8. isa 60.1 Arise, shine: for your light has come, And the glory of the Lord has risen
upon you.
9. isa 60.2 For behold darkness will cover the earth, and deep darkness the peoples;
But the Lord will rise upon you, And His glory will appear upon you.
10. jn 8.12 Again therefore Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world;
he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life.
11. 2 co 4.6 For God who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who
has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the
face of Christ.
12. 1 pe 1.10. As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would
come to you made careful search and inquiry,
13. 1 pe 1.11 seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was
indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and glories to follow.
14. 1 pe 1.12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you,
in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached
the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven-things angels long to look.
15. jn 16.13 But when He, the spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.
16. rev 19.10 And i fell at his feet to worship him. And he said to me, “Do not do that;
I am a fellow servant of yours and your brethren who hold the testimony of jesus;
worship God. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”