2 Peter 1:12-13

Peter did not think that his readers were weak Christians. They already knew the true *gospel message. They may have heard this message from Peter himself in his first letter. They may have heard it from Paul or from other Christians. Peter did not want them to forget it. There were false teachers who taught them the wrong things. So Peter wanted to remind the people about the true *gospel message. In John 21:15-17, Jesus said to Peter, ‘feed my young sheep’, and ‘look after my sheep’. Jesus meant that Peter should teach and care about Christians. Peter was doing this by his letter.

Verses 14-15

Peter knew that he would die soon. Jesus had told him how this would happen. Jesus said that Peter would ‘stretch out his hands’ (John 21:18-19). This meant that Peter would die on a cross. Nero, the wicked ruler in Rome, was already killing Christians on crosses. Peter knew that he would soon leave this world. Then he would receive his great welcome from Jesus (verse 11). But while Peter was still alive, he wanted to help the Christians. He wanted them to remember what he had taught them. Peter may have been referring to the *New Testament book of Mark. Some Christian writers at that time said that Peter had taught Mark. Then Mark wrote what Peter had told him. After Peter had died, Mark’s account would help the Christians.

Evidence from the *apostles

v16 We told you about the *Lord Jesus Christ. We told you about his power. We told you that he will return. We did not tell stories that a clever person made up. We actually saw his splendid greatness. v17 God the Father gave honour and *glory to Jesus. A voice spoke from the cloud of *glory. The voice said, ‘This is my Son whom I love. I am very pleased with him.’ v18 We heard this voice that came from heaven. We were with Jesus on that holy mountain.