2 Peter 1:20 (YLT)

Passage

this first knowing, that no prophecy of the Writing doth come of private exposition,

Nearby Context

2 Peter 1:18 and this voice we--we did hear, out of heaven borne, being with him in the holy mount.

2 Peter 1:19 And we have more firm the prophetic word, to which we do well giving heed, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, till day may dawn, and a morning star may arise--in your hearts;

2 Peter 1:20 this first knowing, that no prophecy of the Writing doth come of private exposition,

2 Peter 1:21 for not by will of man did ever prophecy come, but by the Holy Spirit borne on holy men of God spake.

Study Lenses

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

The nearby context moves from verse 19's "And we have more firm the prophetic..." into verse 21's "for not by will of man did...", so "first" and "knowing" 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 "first" and "knowing" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.