Holy Prophets, Scoffers, and the Promise of His Coming (2 Peter 3:2 Explained)

Peter’s words in 2 Peter 3 feel like they were written for our news feeds today.

He reminds believers that he is writing a second time to “stir up” our sincere minds. He tells us to remember what God already said through the holy prophets and through the commandment given by the apostles. Then he warns that scoffers will come in the last days, following their own desires and mocking the promise of His coming.

In simple terms, Peter says: “Remember what the prophets said. Remember what Jesus commanded. Know this first: scoffers will show up. Do not be shocked.”

In this study we want to walk through those pieces together. We will look at what “holy prophets” means in the original language, which prophets Peter likely had in mind, what they actually said about the Day of the Lord, and what their world looked like when they spoke. We will also unpack the “commandment” of the apostles, the phrase “knowing this first,” and then camp for a while on that strong word scoffers and what it means for us in our world right now.

Along the way we will connect this to visible signs of the end times, including Israel becoming a nation again in 1948, and how that fits the promise of His coming without setting dates or feeding fear.

We are not just studying a text. We are letting God read our hearts.

Reading 2 Peter 3:2 in Context: What Is Peter Really Talking About?

Peter writing his second letter, recalling the words of the prophets and preparing believers for mockers in the last days. 

If we put 2 Peter 3:1-4 in very simple English, it sounds something like this:

“I am writing you again to wake up your sincere minds. I want you to remember the words spoken before by the holy prophets, and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles. Know this first: in the last days scoffers will come, following their own desires, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? Everything has stayed the same since the beginning.’”

Peter is doing at least three things:

1. He is reminding believers of what God already said.
2. He is warning that scoffers will show up inside and outside the church.
3. He is anchoring us in the clear promise that Jesus will come again.

The key phrases we will unpack are:

• “Holy prophets”
• “The commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior”
• “Knowing this first”
• “Scoffers” and “the promise of His coming”

If we miss the context, we might treat the warning about scoffers as a small side note. Peter treats it as a first thing to know. He is saying, “Do not be naïve. When people laugh at the idea of Jesus returning, you are watching a prophecy come true in front of you.”

For a helpful look at the Greek flow of this passage, resources like the 2 Peter 3:2 lexicon on BibleHub can be useful as we study.

Who Are the “Holy Prophets” in 2 Peter 3:2 and What Did They Prophesy?

The Original Greek Meaning of “Holy Prophets” (Hagios Prophētēs)

The phrase “holy prophets” in Greek is hagioi prophētai.

• Hagios means “set apart for God,” dedicated to Him.
• Prophētēs means “one who speaks forth,” a spokesman for God.

So “holy prophets” are not just moral role models. They are men God set apart to speak His Words with His Authority. Peter is not talking about random religious thinkers. He is pointing us back to the Old Testament prophets, whose words came before and who warned about judgment, called for repentance, and promised future restoration.

In 2 Peter 1, he already said that “no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation,” and that men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. When he says “holy prophets,” he is bringing that same idea into chapter 3.

Peter is saying, in effect, “Do not treat their warnings about the Day of the Lord as optional. God spoke through them.”

If we want a technical breakdown of these terms, we can look at the Greek text analysis of 2 Peter 3:2, but the heart of it is simple: set-apart messengers, speaking God’s words.

Which Old Testament Prophets Does Peter Likely Have in Mind?

Peter does not list names, but the themes point strongly to a group of prophets who spoke about the Day of the Lord and final judgment. They most likely include:

• Joel (around the time of early threats to Judah)
• Amos (during the Assyrian rise, warning Israel in its comfort)
• Isaiah (before and during the Assyrian crisis)
• Jeremiah (right before and during the Babylonian exile)
• Ezekiel (among the exiles in Babylon)
• Zephaniah (before the fall of Jerusalem to Babylon)

Each of these prophets dealt with real historical crises. Assyria and Babylon were not fairy tales. Armies were marching. Cities burned. Yet their words often lifted past those local judgments to a final, world-shaking Day of the Lord.

They share patterns:

• Warnings of coming judgment
• Calls to repent and return to God
• Promises of a future Kingdom of peace and righteousness

A good overview of this theme can be found in studies on the Day of the Lord in the prophets, where Joel, Amos, and others are discussed together.

What Did These Holy Prophets Actually Say About the Day of the Lord?

Let’s put some of their key messages into simple language.

• Joel 2: Joel describes signs in the sky, blood, fire, smoke, the sun turned to darkness, and the moon to blood before the great and terrible Day of the Lord. Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
• Amos 5: Amos warns that the Day of the Lord is not a happy day for fake worshipers. For the unrepentant, it is darkness, not light.
• Isaiah 13 and 24: Isaiah speaks of the heavens shaking, the earth trembling, and the Lord punishing the world for its evil. This sounds much bigger than one local war.
• Jeremiah: Jeremiah talks about the cup of God’s wrath that the nations must drink, and the fall of powerful kingdoms like Babylon. Judgment is not just on Israel. It reaches the whole earth.
• Ezekiel: Ezekiel sees fire, scattering, and judgment on both Jerusalem and surrounding nations. Yet he also sees a future restored land and temple.
• Zephaniah 1: Zephaniah calls it a day of wrath, distress, and ruin, when God will sweep away everything from the face of the earth with fire.

If we listen to these voices together, they sound very close to Peter when he later says that “the heavens will pass away,” and “the elements will melt with fervent heat” (2 Peter 3:10). They line up as one prophecy.

For a more devotional walk through these prophetic warnings, the article “Are You Ready for the Day of the Lord?” can be a helpful companion.

The Atmosphere When the Holy Prophets Spoke: Crisis, Corruption, and False Security

We sometimes picture the prophets as old men yelling at clouds. Their world was much harsher than that.

Their societies were full of:

• Idolatry and occult practices
• Injustice in the courts
• Leaders who used religion for power
• The rich crushing the poor
• Widespread sexual sin
• A false sense that “we are safe because we have the temple” or a strong army

Assyria and Babylon were looming threats. People heard rumors of invasion. Yet many in Israel chose denial. They treated Isaiah, Jeremiah, and others like drama queens. In other words, they scoffed long before Peter used the word.

Peter is reminding us that this pattern is not new. The same spirit that mocked Joel and Amos is at work in those who mock the promise of Jesus’ return.

The Future Time the Holy Prophets Saw: The Final Day of the Lord

The prophets often spoke with two horizons:

1. A near judgment, like the fall of Samaria or Jerusalem.
2. A far judgment, a final Day of the Lord that is global.

That final day is when God judges all evil, shakes heaven and earth, and then restores creation under His rule. This lines up with Peter’s language about:

• The Day of the Lord coming like a thief
• Heavens passing away with a roar
• Elements melting with intense heat
• A new heavens and a new earth where righteousness dwells

That future also connects with teaching about Christ’s Kingdom and His reign after His return. For those who want to explore that more, the article on the Millennial Kingdom prophecy in Revelation 20 offers a helpful big-picture view.

Peter’s point is simple: that future is not a myth, and it is not just “symbolic.” It is the finish line of a history the prophets started telling centuries before.

What “The Commandment” and “Knowing This First” Mean in 2 Peter 3:2–3

What Is “The Commandment of the Apostles of the Lord and Savior” and Why Is It Central?

In 2 Peter 3:2, “the commandment” is entolē, a word used for a clear order or charge. Peter says we should remember:

“The commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles.”

This likely sums up Jesus’ core teaching:

• Repent and believe the Gospel
• Love God with all your heart and love your neighbor
• Follow Him in holy living
• Stay awake and ready for His return

Later in this chapter, Peter asks, “What kind of people ought you to be in holy conduct and Godliness as you look for and hasten the coming of the day of God?” The commandment is not a side rule. It is a call to shape our whole lifestyle around the reality of His coming.

The contrast is sharp: apostles call us to holiness and watchfulness; scoffers call us to relax and live for our cravings.

“Knowing This First”: What Are We Supposed to Know Before Anything Else?

Verse 3 begins with “knowing this first,” or in Greek, touto proton ginōskontes. It is a priority marker. Peter is saying, “Before you start forming opinions, lock this truth into your mind.”

What truth? That in the last days scoffers will come, walking according to their own lusts.

This is not a secret code. It is a clear warning that many ignore: the rise of scoffing is itself a sign of the last days. As one helpful article puts it, scoffers in the last days are part of the prophetic picture, not an exception to it.

Peter then explains the “mystery” behind the delay. With God, a thousand years is like a day. The Lord is not slow. He is patient, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance. That very patience is what scoffers twist into mockery.

So “knowing this first” becomes a filter. When we hear people sneer at the idea of Christ’s return, we remember, “God told us this would happen. His patience is mercy, not weakness.”

Who Are the Scoffers in 2 Peter 3:3–4 and How Do They Look in Our World Today?

Modern mockers treating Scripture and prophecy as a joke while life goes on around them. 

The Original Meaning of “Scoffers”: What Kind of People Is Peter Warning Us About?

The Greek word in 2 Peter 3:3 is empaiktai, often translated scoffers. It carries the idea of mockers, people who speak with open ridicule. They do not just doubt quietly. They turn holy things into a punchline.

A Greek lexicon like this one on 2 Peter 3:3 shows that the word is tied to playful, but poisonous, mocking. These people use sarcasm, clever words, and peer pressure to shame anyone who takes God’s promises seriously. just look around Facebook and you will easily find scoffers.

Peter says they will be very clear in their message:

“Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were.”

We can hear that same tone in many online comments and memes today. The spirit of the scoffers is loud and often proud.

“Walking According to Their Own Lusts”: What Does That Really Mean?

Peter adds that these scoffers are “walking according to their own lusts.” To “walk” that way means they let their desires lead them. They choose their cravings as their compass.

“Lusts” here is broader than sexual sin. It can include:

• Sexual immorality
• Greed and love of money
• Pride and hunger for power
• Addiction to comfort and ease
• Self-worship and constant self-focus

The key insight is this: they do not reject the promise of His coming because the evidence is bad. They reject it because, if the promise is true, they would need to repent. Their lifestyle is on the line.

So in our time, scoffers may:

• Mock Biblical sexuality as hateful or old-fashioned
• Use science or philosophy as a weapon against any idea of judgment
• Twist grace into a permission slip to sin

Peter says they “willfully forget” that God judged the world before through the flood, and that the present heavens and earth are kept for a coming fire. They forget on purpose, because remembering would disturb their sense of control.

Are These Scoffers Only Unbelievers, or Can They Be Carnal Christians Too?

This hits closer to home. Peter is dealing with false teachers who may still use Christian words. They deny the power of the Lord while living in sin. That means scoffers are not always outside the church.

Carnal Christians, people who claim Christ but live like the world, can slip into a scoffing mindset. It may sound like:

• “People have said Jesus is coming back forever. It probably will not happen in our lifetime.”
• “Prophecy is confusing. Let’s just focus on being nice.”
• “Holiness is legalism. God just wants us happy.”

They may not openly laugh, but their hearts say, “Nothing big is coming. Life will just go on.” They silently agree with the scoffers.

This is where we have to examine ourselves. Do we structure our days as if Jesus could return, or do we quietly live as if He will not? If we feel that sting, the answer is not shame. It is to repent, reset, and ask the Holy Spirit to awaken us.

For a deeper look at how religious groups can even fight against the real work of God, the study on the Synagogue of Satan in Revelation 3:9 can be sobering. It shows how spiritual opposition can wear very religious clothes.

What Is “The Promise of His Coming” and Why Do Scoffers Attack It?

The “promise of His coming” points to the clear New Testament teaching that Jesus will return personally and visibly.

Some of those promises are:

• Jesus said He would come again and receive us to Himself (John 14).
• Angels said He would return the same way He left, in the clouds (Acts 1).
• The apostles taught that He will judge the living and the dead.
• Scripture speaks of a resurrection, a final judgment, and a renewed creation.

The word for “coming” is parousia, which means a royal arrival, not a vague spiritual feeling. That is what scoffers attack. If this promise is true, then:

• Sin matters.
• Justice is coming.
• Our choices have eternal weight.

So they say, “Everything has always been the same.” Peter answers, “No. God flooded the world once, and He will shake it again.”

The earlier destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, which Jesus predicted in detail, is one strong historical reminder that His words do come true. You can see that connection explored more in this piece on the prophetic fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD.

End Time Signs, Israel as a Nation Again, and How They Relate to Scoffers

Biblical-style picture of cosmic signs that Scripture links to the coming Day of the Lord. 

Jesus in Matthew 24 and Luke 21, and the prophets in many places, describe signs that build toward the end:

• Wars and rumors of wars
• Earthquakes, famines, and plagues
• Rising lawlessness and cold love
• Worldwide spread of the Gospel
• Deception, false christs, and false prophets
• Focus on Jerusalem and the land of Israel

Many Bible students see the rebirth of Israel in 1948 as deeply connected to these prophecies. After centuries without a homeland, the Jewish people returned and a modern state was born. This lines up with passages that speak of God regathering His people to their land in the latter days.

Modern Israel, a living picture of return and restoration after 1948. 

We should be careful not to set dates or build whole systems on one event. Yet resources like this balanced Q&A on whether 1948 began the last generation show that many see 1948 as a major stage-setting move in God’s plan.

How do scoffers respond to all this?

• They say, “Wars and disasters are normal. Nothing new here.”
• They mock anyone who connects prophecy with current events.
• They treat Israel’s history as pure politics with no spiritual side.

Peter would say that their reaction is exactly what we should expect “in the last days.” Our call is different. We stay watchful but not paranoid, hopeful but not naïve, anchored in Scripture instead of headlines.

Conclusion: Standing with the Prophets, Not with the Scoffers

If we step back, Peter’s message comes into focus.

The holy prophets spoke of a real Day of the Lord, a time of shaking, fire, judgment, and then restoration. The apostles passed on the commandment of Jesus, calling us to repent, believe, love, and live holy lives while we look for His return. Peter tells us to know first that scoffers will rise, walking after their own lusts and laughing at the promise of His coming.

We have a choice. We can drift with the scoffers, living as if nothing will ever change, or we can stand with the prophets and apostles, shaping our lives around the return of our King.

So we remember Scripture. We check our own hearts. We ask the Holy Spirit to make us ready, not scared. The same God who judged by water is also the God whose patience is mercy.

Jesus will keep His promise. The Day of the Lord will come. Now is the time for us to live awake, not asleep, holding tight to hope in a world full of noise and mockery.