2 Peter 1:20 (WEB)

Passage

knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of private interpretation.

Nearby Context

2 Peter 1:18 We heard this voice come out of heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain.

2 Peter 1:19 We have the more sure word of prophecy; and you do well that you heed it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns, and the morning star arises in your hearts:

2 Peter 1:20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of private interpretation.

2 Peter 1:21 For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke, being moved by the Holy Spirit.

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 the more sure word of..." into verse 21's "For no prophecy ever came by the...", 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.