if by turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes he condemned them to extinction, making them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly;
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter isn't just saying God punished Sodom and Gomorrah; he's highlighting that their destruction was a deliberate example, a stark warning etched in ash. This wasn't a random disaster, but a meticulously preserved picture of the ultimate consequence for those who reject God's ways. It emphasizes God's comprehensive justice, leaving no room for doubt about the final outcome for the ungodly.
if by turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes he condemned them to extinction, making them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly;
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter is warning against false teachers who have infiltrated the church, promising freedom but leading people back into sinful lifestyles. He uses historical examples of God's judgment, like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and the flood, to show that ungodliness will not go unpunished. This specific example highlights how even entire cities were wiped out as a stark warning of future divine retribution for those who reject God's ways.
Why would God highlight the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in such stark terms? It wasn't just an event; it was a message.
Peter uses the catastrophic destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah not just to recount history, but to illustrate a profound theological point: God's judgment on the wicked is absolute and serves as a public demonstration.
The Ultimate Consequence
By turning these cities to "ashes," God left no trace of their existence, signifying complete eradication. This wasn't a warning of potential loss, but a final, irreversible outcome for ungodliness.
A Lasting Testimony
Making them "an example" means their fate was intentionally preserved in memory and scripture to warn future generations. It's a powerful reminder that God's justice, while sometimes delayed, is certain for those who reject Him.
The language Peter uses is intense. What does 'condemned them to extinction' truly mean for the ungodly?
The terms 'condemned' and 'extinction' leave no room for ambiguity. Peter isn't speaking metaphorically about a bad feeling or temporary setback; he's describing ultimate, irreversible doom.
The Finality of Judgment
'Condemned' signifies a verdict passed by a righteous judge. 'Extinction' points to utter annihilation, a complete end to existence. Together, they paint a picture of the final state of those who live in ungodliness, showing that God's justice leads to total separation from Him.
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God's Sovereign Power
This act demonstrates God's sovereign power over life and death, over creation and destruction. He has the authority to bring things into being and the power to bring them to an end, especially in response to rebellion.
Understand the original words
katastrophē · Greek Noun
In a biblical context, this refers to divine judgment resulting in total destruction, often used to describe God's finality in dealing with wickedness.
asebēs · Greek Adjective/Noun
A person who lives in opposition to God, lacking reverence, piety, or fear of the Lord; one who ignores God’s moral standards.
The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah was a foundational event in the Old Testament narrative, understood by Peter's audience as a clear historical example of God's decisive judgment against rampant wickedness, setting a precedent for future divine action.
c. 2000-1800 BC
Cities of the Plain Flourish
Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Zoar were prosperous cities located in a fertile region near the Dead Sea.
c. 1800 BC— this verse
Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah
Divine judgment falls upon Sodom and Gomorrah due to extreme wickedness, with only Lot and his daughters escaping. The event serves as a stark warning.
c. 1400 BC
Exodus from Egypt
The liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, marked by God's mighty acts and judgments against Pharaoh and Egypt.
c. 722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern Kingdom of Israel, leading to the exile of its people, illustrating God's judgment on disobedience.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem
The Babylonian Empire destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling many Judeans. This event powerfully demonstrates God's judgment on unfaithfulness.
c. 5th Century BC
Rise of Apocalyptic Literature
Writings emerge describing future judgment and vindication, often referencing past divine interventions like the destruction of Sodom as precedents.
This passage describes the actual event of God raining down sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, directly showing the judgment that 2 Peter 2:6 refers back to.
Jude 1:7Jude echoes Peter's warning, also referencing the judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah as a vivid example of the punishment awaiting those who pursue sexual immorality and reject authority.
Luke 17:29Jesus himself uses the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah as a parallel to the suddenness and totality of His coming judgment, reinforcing the idea of it being a clear example.
1 Corinthians 10:11This passage generalizes the principle that the Old Testament judgments, including those like Sodom and Gomorrah, were recorded as warnings and examples for believers living in the New Testament era.
Peter isn't just saying God punished Sodom and Gomorrah; he's highlighting that their destruction was a deliberate example, a stark warning etched in ash. This wasn't a random disaster, but a meticulously preserved picture of the ultimate consequence for those who reject God's ways. It emphasizes God's comprehensive justice, leaving no room for doubt about the final outcome for the ungodly.
Peter is warning against false teachers who have infiltrated the church, promising freedom but leading people back into sinful lifestyles. He uses historical examples of God's judgment, like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and the flood, to show that ungodliness will not go unpunished. This specific example highlights how even entire cities were wiped out as a stark warning of future divine retribution for those who reject God's ways.
Peter is warning against false teachers who have infiltrated the church, promising freedom but leading people back into sinful lifestyles. He uses historical examples of God's judgment, like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and the flood, to show that ungodliness will not go unpunished. This specific example highlights how even entire cities were wiped out as a stark warning of future divine retribution for those who reject God's ways.
"if by turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes he condemned them to extinction, making them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly;" — Peter isn't just saying God punished Sodom and Gomorrah; he's highlighting that their destruction was a deliberate example, a stark warning etched in ash. This wasn't a random disaster, but a met…
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Last reviewed October 2026