A.T. Robertson Commentary 2 Peter 3:4

"and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for, from the day that the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation." — 2 Peter 3:4 (ASV)

Where is the promise of his coming? (που εστιν η επαγγελια της παρουσιας αυτου; ). This is the only sample of the questions raised by these mockers. Peter had mentioned this subject of the παρουσια in 1:16. Now he faces it squarely. Peter, like Paul (1 Thessalonians 5:1f.; 2 Thessalonians 2:1f.), preached about the second coming (1:16; Acts 3:20f.), as Jesus himself did repeatedly (Matthew 24:34) and as the angels promised at the Ascension (Acts 1:11). Both Jesus and Paul (2 Thessalonians 2:1f.) were misunderstood on the subject of the time and the parables of Jesus urged readiness and forbade setting dates for his coming, though his language in Mt 24:34 probably led some to believe that he would certainly come while they were alive.

From the day that (αφ' ης). "From which day." See Lu 7:45.

Fell asleep (εκοιμηθησαν). First aorist passive indicative of κοιμαω, old verb, to put sleep, classic euphemism for death (John 11:11) like our cemetery (sleeping-place).

Continue (διαμενε). Present active indicative of διαμενω, to remain through (Luke 1:22). In statu quo.

As they were (ουτως). "Thus."

From the beginning of creation (απ' αρχης κτισεως). Precisely so in Mr 10:6, which see.