2 Peter 1:20 (KJV)

Passage

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

Nearby Context

2 Peter 1:18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.

2 Peter 1:19 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:

2 Peter 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

2 Peter 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.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "knowing", "first", "prophecy", "scripture", "private", and "interpretation". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "knowing" and "first", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 19's "We have also a more sure word..." into verse 21's "For the prophecy came not in old...", so "knowing" and "first" belong inside that flow. In 2 Peter context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "knowing" and "first" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.