2 Peter 1:16-19
Chapter 1
16
Witness to the Glory of Christ
Indeed, what we taught you about the power and the return of Christ Jesus our Lord was not based on myths or mere theories. We ourselves were eyewitnesses of his majesty17
when he received glory and honor from God the Father. From his magnificent glory, this extraordinary voice came upon him: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
18
We personally heard this voice from heaven while we were with him on the holy mountain.
19
Therefore, we strongly believe in the message of the prophets. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
Commentaries
Witness to the Glory of Christ.
The author defends the parousia of Christ (16) as the result not of legends but of lived experience. The parousia, instead of focusing on what is to come, is a prophetic act in the present that fosters communal memory of Jesus. The content of verses 20 and following has been crucial in shaping the principles of biblical inspiration and interpretation within the Church’s tradition. Scripture requires the Spirit for proper understanding. This does not exclude reason, the human language through which the Spirit acts, nor the ecclesial community, the privileged place where the Spirit operates.