King James Version

What Does 2 Peter 1:19 Mean?

2 Peter 1:19 in the King James Version says “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dar... — study this verse from 2 Peter chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

2 Peter 1:19 · KJV


Context

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.

18

And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.

19

We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

20

Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

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. in old time: or, at any time


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts. After citing eyewitness experience (vv. 16-18), Peter surprisingly declares "we have also a more sure word of prophecy" (kai echomen bebaioteron ton prophētikon logon, καὶ ἔχομεν βεβαιότερον τὸν προφητικὸν λόγον). This doesn't mean prophecy is more certain than apostolic eyewitness but that apostolic experience confirms and establishes prophetic Scripture's reliability. The Transfiguration validated Old Testament prophecies about Messiah's glory.

"Whereunto ye do well that ye take heed" (hō kalōs poieite prosechontes) urges careful attention to Scripture. Peter compares it to "a light that shineth in a dark place" (lychnō phainonti en auchmērō topō, λύχνῳ φαίνοντι ἐν αὐχμηρῷ τόπῳ)—a lamp illuminating murky darkness. The present age is morally and spiritually dark; Scripture provides light for navigation until "the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts" (heōs hou hēmera diaugasē kai phōsphoros anatelē en tais kardiais hymōn).

"Day star" (phōsphoros, φωσφόρος, literally "light-bearer") is the morning star (Venus), heralding dawn. This likely refers to Christ's return (Rev 22:16) or the full illumination believers will receive at glorification. "In your hearts" indicates internal enlightenment accompanying external revelation. Until Christ returns fully manifesting truth, believers must attend carefully to Scripture's prophetic light, which guides through present darkness toward future glory.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Judaism highly valued prophetic Scripture as God's revealed word, meticulously preserving and studying it. Jesus affirmed Scripture's authority (Matt 5:17-18; John 10:35) and showed how it testified to Him (Luke 24:27, 44-47). The early church inherited this reverence for Old Testament Scripture while recognizing apostolic writings as equally authoritative (2 Pet 3:15-16).

The metaphor of light in darkness pervades biblical theology (Ps 119:105; Prov 6:23; Isa 9:2; John 1:4-9; 8:12). The present evil age, under Satan's dominion (2 Cor 4:4; Eph 2:2; 1 John 5:19), is morally dark, unable to know God apart from revelation. Scripture functions as God's self-disclosure, illuminating truth about Him, humanity, salvation, and living rightly. Until Christ returns bringing full knowledge (1 Cor 13:12), believers depend on Scripture's light for guidance.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you balance valuing personal spiritual experiences with prioritizing Scripture's objective authority?
  2. In what areas of life do you most need Scripture's light to guide decisions, expose error, or reveal truth?
  3. How can churches cultivate deeper reverence for and engagement with Scripture as God's sure prophetic word?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 27 words
καὶ1 of 27

also

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἔχομεν2 of 27

We have

G2192

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

βεβαιότερον3 of 27

a more sure

G949

stable (literally or figuratively)

τὸν4 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

προφητικὸν5 of 27

of prophecy

G4397

pertaining to a foreteller ("prophetic")

λόγον6 of 27

word

G3056

something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a

οὗ7 of 27

whereunto

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

καλῶς8 of 27

well

G2573

well (usually morally)

ποιεῖτε9 of 27

ye do

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

προσέχοντες10 of 27

that ye take heed

G4337

(figuratively) to hold the mind (3563 implied) towards, i.e., pay attention to, be cautious about, apply oneself to, adhere to

ὡς11 of 27

as

G5613

which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)

λύχνῳ12 of 27

unto a light

G3088

a portable lamp or other illuminator (literally or figuratively)

φαίνοντι13 of 27

that shineth

G5316

to lighten (shine), i.e., show (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative)

ἐν14 of 27

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

αὐχμηρῷ15 of 27

a dark

G850

properly, dirty, i.e., (by implication) obscure

τόπῳ16 of 27

place

G5117

a spot (general in space, but limited by occupancy; whereas g5561 is a large but participle locality), i.e., location (as a position, home, tract, etc

ἕως17 of 27

until

G2193

a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)

οὗ18 of 27

whereunto

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἡμέρα19 of 27

the day

G2250

day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of

διαυγάσῃ20 of 27

dawn

G1306

to glimmer through, i.e., break (as day)

καὶ21 of 27

also

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

φωσφόρος22 of 27

the day star

G5459

light-bearing ("phosphorus"), i.e., (specially), the morning-star (figuratively)

ἀνατείλῃ23 of 27

arise

G393

to (cause to) arise

ἐν24 of 27

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ταῖς25 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

καρδίαις26 of 27

hearts

G2588

the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle

ὑμῶν27 of 27

your

G5216

of (from or concerning) you


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Peter. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Peter 1:19 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Peter 1:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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