Bible Strands
2 Peter 3:10
But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Peter addresses his readers immediately after explaining God’s patience in 2 Peter 3:9 and immediately before commanding holy conduct in 2 Peter 3:11. He speaks to them regarding the certainty of the Day of the Lord.
The words — ἥξει (hēxei) translates literally as "will come," and κλέπτης (kleptēs) means "a thief," forming the direct simile that the Day of the Lord will arrive unexpectedly.
The thread — The sudden arrival of this day echoes Jesus’ warning in Matthew 24:35 about the permanence of His words amid passing heavens and earth, while the cosmic destruction parallels the judgment reserved in 2 Peter 3:7 and the renewal described in Revelation 21:1.
Why it lands — The text states that the heavens will vanish with a roar, the elements will burn, and the earth will be stripped bare, leaving no room for delayed expectations. It requires readers to treat the coming judgment as an absolute reality that demands immediate moral preparation.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
Cross-references
- Revelation 21:1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.
- Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.
- 2 Peter 3:7 And by that same word, the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
- Revelation 16:15 “Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who remains awake and clothed, so that he will not go naked and let his shame be exposed.”
- Isaiah 51:6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth below; for the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and its people will die like gnats. But My salvation will last forever, and My righteousness will never fail.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:2 For you are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
- Mark 13:31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.
- 2 Peter 3:12 as you anticipate and hasten the coming of the day of God, when the heavens will be destroyed by fire and the elements will melt in the heat.
- Isaiah 34:4 All the stars of heaven will be dissolved. The skies will be rolled up like a scroll, and all their stars will fall like withered leaves from the vine, like foliage from the fig tree.
- Revelation 3:3 Remember, then, what you have received and heard. Keep it and repent. If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know the hour when I will come upon you.