A frequent misinterpretation of II Peter 1:20 is that it prohibits personal Bible study or individual application, implying only ecclesiastical authorities can interpret Scripture, which undermines the priesthood of all believers and passages urging personal meditation on God's word. Instead, the verse targets the origin of prophecy itself—not human invention but divine revelation—and warns against twisting prophecies to fit personal agendas, as subsequent verses address false prophets who privately fabricate meanings contrary to apostolic truth.
II Peter 1:20
King James Version (1769)
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
The core truth of II Peter 1:20 is that no biblical prophecy arises from private human interpretation or individual opinion, but originates from God through the Holy Spirit's inspiration. In context, Peter affirms the divine authority and reliability of Scripture against false teachers, emphasizing that prophecy must be understood according to its unified, God-given meaning rather than subjective ideas, encouraging believers to recognize the objective nature of God's revealed word.