John Calvin Commentary 2 Peter 1:16

"For we did not follow cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty." — 2 Peter 1:16 (ASV)

For we have not followed cunningly devised fables. It gives us much courage when we know that we labor in a matter that is certain. So that the faithful would not think that in these labors they were beating the air, he now sets forth the certainty of the gospel. He denies that he had delivered anything other than what was altogether true and indubitable. And they were encouraged to persevere when they were sure of the successful outcome of their calling.

In the first place, Peter indeed asserts that he had been an eyewitness, for he himself had seen with his own eyes the glory of Christ, of which he speaks. He sets this knowledge in opposition to crafty fables, such as cunning men are accustomed to fabricate to ensnare simple minds. The old interpreter renders the word “feigned,” (fictas); Erasmus, “formed by art.” It seems to me that what is subtle to deceive is meant, for the Greek word used here, σοφίζεσθαι, sometimes means this.

And we know how much labor men bestow on frivolous refinements, merely for amusement. Therefore, our minds ought to be applied with no less seriousness to know the truth that is not fallacious, and the doctrine that is not futile—a doctrine which reveals to us the glory of the Son of God and our own salvation.

The power and the coming. No doubt he meant by these words to include the substance of the gospel, as it certainly contains nothing except Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom. But he distinctly mentions two things: that Christ had been manifested in the flesh, and also that power was exhibited by him.

Thus, then, we have the whole gospel. For we know that he, the long-promised Redeemer, came from heaven, put on our flesh, lived in the world, died, and rose again. And, in the second place, we perceive the end and fruit of all these things, that is: that he might be God with us; that he might exhibit in himself a sure pledge of our adoption; that he might cleanse us from the defilements of the flesh by the grace of his Spirit and consecrate us as temples to God; that he might deliver us from hell and raise us up to heaven; that he might by the sacrifice of his death make an atonement for the sins of the world; that he might reconcile us to the Father; that he might become to us the author of righteousness and of life. He who knows and understands these things is fully acquainted with the gospel.

Were eyewitnesses, or beholders. From this we conclude that those who presumptuously mount the pulpit to prattle about speculations unknown to themselves by no means serve Christ, nor are they like the apostles. For he alone is the lawful minister of Christ who knows the truth of the doctrine which he delivers. Not that all obtain certainty in the same way; for what Peter says is that he himself was present when Christ was declared by a voice from heaven to be the Son of God.

Only three were then present, but they were sufficient as witnesses, for through many miracles they had seen the glory of Christ and had remarkable evidence of his divinity in his resurrection. But we now obtain certainty in another way; for though Christ has not risen before our eyes, we still know by whom his resurrection has been handed down to us.

And added to this is the inward testimony of conscience, the sealing of the Spirit, which far exceeds all the evidence of the senses. But let us remember that the gospel was not at the beginning made up of vague rumors, but that the apostles were the authentic preachers of what they had seen.