When was 2 Peter written?

The Authorship and Dating of 2 Peter

The traditional view of 2 Peter’s authorship holds that the Apostle Peter himself wrote this epistle, guided by the Holy Spirit, as part of his apostolic ministry to strengthen the Church.

While modern critics often challenge this view, the internal and external evidence within the epistle and the broader testimony of Church history support Peter as the author.

Assuming this traditional perspective, we turn to the question of when 2 Peter was written and its significance in the apostolic era.

The Context of Peter’s Final Days

Peter’s second epistle contains several clues pointing to its composition near the end of his life. In 2 Peter 1:13–15, Peter states plainly that he knows his death is imminent:

“I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me.”

This statement reflects Peter’s awareness that he would soon fulfill the prophecy Jesus gave him in John 21:18–19, where the Lord foretold his martyrdom. According to early Church tradition, Peter was executed in Rome during the reign of Emperor Nero, who ruled from AD 54–68. Nero’s persecution of Christians intensified following the Great Fire of Rome in AD 64, making the mid-to-late 60s a plausible timeframe for Peter’s death and, consequently, the writing of this letter.

Why AD 64–68?

The tone of 2 Peter suggests that it was written as a farewell letter, filled with exhortation and warnings to the Church. This timing coincides with a period of growing threats to the apostolic witness: false teachers infiltrating the Church, persecution from the Roman authorities, and the approaching death of the apostles. The epistle addresses these realities directly. For instance, Peter warns against destructive heresies (2 Peter 2:1–3) and emphasizes the certainty of Christ’s return (2 Peter 3:1–10), countering scoffers who questioned the promise of His coming. Such themes fit well within a period when Peter was passing the torch of apostolic teaching to the next generation.

The letter also reflects Peter’s concern to preserve the apostolic testimony for the Church after his departure. He emphasizes that the Scriptures and the apostolic eyewitness accounts are a reliable foundation for faith (2 Peter 1:16–21). This focus on the enduring nature of God’s Word is consistent with an aging apostle ensuring that the Church remains steadfast amid spiritual and physical trials.

Historical Support for the Traditional Dating

The early Church fathers, while not universally unanimous, largely supported the traditional view of 2 Peter’s authorship and its association with Peter’s final days. Origen (AD 185–253) and Eusebius (AD 260–340) acknowledged the epistle, albeit with some debate over its early acceptance. Despite such questions, the content and themes of 2 Peter align closely with what we know of Peter’s life and ministry, particularly his focus on warning against false teachers and affirming the hope of Christ’s return.

The Significance of 2 Peter’s Timing

Understanding 2 Peter as written between AD 64 and 68 places it in the broader context of apostolic urgency. By this time, Peter, Paul, and other apostles were nearing the end of their earthly ministries. The destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 loomed on the horizon, marking a seismic shift in the life of the Jewish people and the early Church. Against this backdrop, Peter’s letter served as a spiritual anchor, calling believers to holiness, perseverance, and confidence in God’s promises.

Peter’s final words remind the Church that, although the apostles would soon depart, God’s Word endures forever. His exhortation to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18) remains as relevant today as it was then.

Conclusion

The traditional view that Peter wrote 2 Peter shortly before his martyrdom provides a compelling framework for understanding the epistle’s urgency and timeless truths. Placed in the mid-to-late 60s AD, the letter stands as a final testament of an apostle deeply concerned for the purity, perseverance, and hope of the Church. As we read 2 Peter, we are reminded of the faithfulness of God, who preserves His Word and His people in every generation.