2 Peter 1:17
For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
2 Peter 1:17
In this verse, Peter recalls the transfiguration moment when the Father’s voice affirmed Jesus: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” The immediate context recalls the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17; Mark 9; Luke 9) where Jesus’ divine status is publicly affirmed. The event reveals the unity of the Father’s plan and Jesus’ identity, reinforcing the authoritative basis for the apostolic testimony that follows. The phrase “honour and glory” bestowed by God underscores Jesus’ exalted status and the trustworthiness of the gospel message. Peter’s emphasis on this divine endorsement serves to fortify readers against apostasies or misinterpretations of Jesus’ mission, reminding the church that Jesus is not a mere teacher but the central object of God’s redemptive policy. The context within 2 Peter highlights the danger of false teachers and the need to hold fast to the truth revealed by Jesus and witnessed by the apostles.
This verse reinforces the doctrine of Christ’s identity as the beloved Son, a key kerygma in New Testament theology. God’s voice from “the excellent glory” confirms Jesus’ unique relation to the Father and legitimizes the gospel proclamation anchored in his person and work. Theologically, it anchors Christology within revelation and affirms the authority of the Father’s declaration as the ground of Christian faith. It also anticipates eschatological hope: the one whom the Father has glorified will come again in power. For the church, this is a call to maintain reverent worship, faithful proclamation, and a life shaped by the reality of Jesus’ exalted status.
- Let this divine affirmation shape your view of Jesus: worship him as Lord, not merely as a moral teacher.
- Center your life on Jesus’ kingship and promised return; align choices with his lordship.
- Teach and model humility under God’s authority, recognizing Jesus as the Father’s beloved Son.
- In times of doubt or pressure from false teachers, return to the gospel’s core: Jesus is glorified and coming again.
- Encourage others with the certainty of God’s endorsement of Jesus, inviting them into faithful discipleship.
Cross-References: Matthew 17:5; Hebrews 1:1–3; Colossians 1:15–20; John 1:14; Psalm 2:7