2 Peter 3 · Verse 2

2 Peter 3:2

That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:

2 Peter 3:2, King James Version

2 Peter 3:2 in other translations

BSB	by recalling what was foretold by the holy prophets and commanded by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.
WEB	that you should remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets and the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior,
ASV	that ye should remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and the commandment of the Lord and Saviour through your apostles:
YLT	to be mindful of the sayings said before by the holy prophets, and of the command of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour,
DARBY	to be mindful of the words spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of the Lord and Saviour by your apostles;
BBE	So that you may keep in mind the words of the holy prophets in the past, and the law of the Lord and Saviour which was given to you by his Apostles.
Webster	That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Savior:

What does 2 Peter 3:2 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

2. prophets--of the Old Testament. of us--The oldest manuscripts and Vulgate read, "And of the commandment of the Lord and Saviour (declared) by YOUR apostles" (so "apostle of the Gentiles," Ro 11:13)--the apostles who live among you in the present time, in contrast to the Old Testament "prophets."

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 2. That ye may be mindful of the words. Of the doctrines; the truths; the prophetic statements. Jude 1:18 says that it had been foretold by the apostles, that in the last days there would be scoffers, Peter refers to the instructions of the apostles and prophets in general, though evidently designing that his remarks should bear particularly on the fact that there would be scoffers.

Which were spoken before by the holy prophets. The predictions of the prophet before the advent of the Saviour, respecting his character and work, Peter had before appealed to them, (2Pet 1:19-21,) as furnishing important evidence in regard to the truth of the Christian religion, and valuable instruction in reference to its nature. See Notes on that passage. Many of the most important doctrines respecting the kingdom of the Messiah are stated as clearly in the Old Testament as in the New, (comp. Isa 53,) and the prophecies therefore deserve to be studied as an important part of Divine revelation. It should be added here, however, that when Peter wrote there was this special reason why he referred to the prophets, that the canon of the New Testament was not then completed, and he could not make his appeal to that. To some parts of the writings of Paul he could and did appeal, (2Pet 3:15,16,) but probably a very small part of what is now the New Testament was known to those to whom this epistle was addressed.

And of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour. As being equally entitled with the prophets tb state and enforce the doctrines and duties of religion. It may be observed, that no man would have used this language who did not regard himself and his fellow-apostles as inspired, and as on a level with the prophets.

(a) "That ye" Jude 1:17,18 (b) "before" 1Timm 4:1, 2Ti 3:1

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 Peter 3:1-4

The purified minds of Christians are to be stirred up, that they may be active and lively in the work of holiness. There will be scoffers in the last days, under the gospel, men who make light of sin, and mock at salvation by Jesus Christ. One very principal article of our faith refers to what only has a promise to rest upon, and scoffers will attack it till our Lord is come. They will not believe that he will come…

Read the full comment on 2 Peter 3:1-4 →

2 Peter 3:2 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

μνησθῆναιmnēsthēnairememberingG3403

τῶνtōntheG3588

προειρημένωνproeirēmenōnspoken beforehandG4280

ῥημάτωνrhēmatōndeclarations —G4487

ὑπὸhupobyG5259

τῶνtōntheG3588

ἁγίωνhagiōnholyG40

προφητῶνprophētōnprophetsG4396

καὶkaiandG2532

τῆςtēsof theG3588

τῶνtōn<the>G3588

ἀποστόλωνapostolōnapostlesG652

ὑμῶνhumōnof youG4771

ἐντολῆςentolēscommandmentG1785

τοῦtouof theG3588

κυρίουkuriouLordG2962

καὶkaiandG2532

σωτῆρος·sōtērosSavior;G4990

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 2 Peter 3:2

Jude 1:17
But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Luke 1:70
As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:
2 Peter 2:21
For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
Luke 24:44
And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
2 Peter 1:19-21
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: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 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.
1 Peter 1:10-12
Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
Ephesians 2:20
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Revelation 19:10
And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
Acts 10:43
To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
Acts 3:21
Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
Acts 28:23
And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.
Acts 3:24-26
Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days. Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

ye may.
1:19-21; Lu 1:70; 24:27,44; Ac 3:18,24-26; 10:43; 28:23; 1Pe 1:10-12
Re 19:10
and of.
15; 2:21; Eph 2:20; 1Jo 4:6; Jude 1:17

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

2 Peter 3:1
This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
2 Peter 3:2
That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:
2 Peter 3:3
Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,

Read all of 2 Peter 3

2 Peter 3:2 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Para que tengáis memoria de las palabras que antes han sido dichas por los santos profetas, y de nuestro mandamiento, que somos apóstoles del Señor y Salvador:
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	afin que vous vous souveniez des paroles qui ont été dites à l’avance par les saints prophètes, et du commandement du Seigneur et Sauveur par vos apôtres,
German Elberfelder 1871	damit ihr gedenket der von den heiligen Propheten zuvor gesprochenen Worte und des Gebotes des Herrn und Heilandes durch eure Apostel;
Latin Clementine Vulgate	ut memores sitis eorum, quæ prædixi, verborum, a sanctis prophetis et apostolorum vestrorum, præceptorum Domini et Salvatoris.