Jude 1

Jude · Chapter 1

Jude 1:11

1Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:2Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.3Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.4For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.5I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.6And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.7Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.8Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.9Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.10But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.11Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.12These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;13Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.14And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,15To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.16These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.17But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;18How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.19These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.20But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,21Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.22And of some have compassion, making a difference:23And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.24Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,25To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

King James Version (1769)

Other translations

VerseKJVBSBASV
11Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.Woe to them! They have traveled the path of Cain; they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam; they have perished in Korah’s rebellion.Woe unto them! for they went in the way of Cain, and ran riotously in the error of Balaam for hire, and perished in the gainsaying of Korah.

In context

AI-assisted, sourced

Jude has been describing ungodly men who crept into the church, turned God's grace into an excuse for sin, and spoke evil of what they did not understand. In verse 11 he pronounces 'Woe' on them and ties them to three Old Testament rebels: Cain, Balaam and Korah. The verses that follow keep painting their portrait and their coming judgment. Jude 1:4Jude 1:8Jude 1:10Jude 1:11Jude 1:12Jude 1:13

SpeakingJude, who calls himself a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James. Tradition identifies him as one of Jesus' brothers. Jude 1:1Jude overview

ToBelievers who are 'sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called.' The letter does not say where they lived. Jude 1:1Jude overview

Also involvedThe 'certain men crept in unawares' among the believers. The 'Woe' is spoken about them, not to the faithful readers. Jude 1:4Jude 1:11Jude 1:12

Jude declares grief and judgment on the false teachers. He says they follow Cain, who killed his brother because his own works were evil. They rush after Balaam's error for pay, and they share the fate of Korah, who rose against Moses and Aaron and was swallowed by the earth. Jude 1:111 John 3:122 Peter 2:15Numbers 26:9Numbers 26:10

The letter does not say where it was written or where it was sent. Its heavy use of Israel's history suggests readers who knew those stories well. Jude overview

SYRIAJerusalemNazarethEGYPTSodomGomorrahSalt SeaCaesarea

The eventsThe three examples come from Israel's early history: Cain in Genesis 4, Balaam in Numbers 22-24, and Korah's rebellion in the wilderness, recalled in Numbers 26. Genesis 4:3Strong's G0903Numbers 26:9Numbers 26:10

WrittenTraditional view: about AD 65-80, by Jude the brother of James and of Jesus. Scholarly view: dates range from the 50s to the early second century, and some think a later follower wrote in Jude's name while others defend Jude's authorship. Jude overview

HereJude wants believers to 'earnestly contend for the faith' by exposing those who abuse grace and deny the Lord. Naming Cain, Balaam and Korah shows what kind of men these are and how God judges such paths. Jude 1:3Jude 1:4Jude overview

In the whole of ScriptureVerse 11 belongs to Jude's list of judgment examples from Israel's past, alongside the unbelieving Israelites, the angels who left their place, and Sodom and Gomorrha. Together they show that God judges those who turn from him. Jude 1:5Jude 1:6Jude 1:7Jude overview

For readersThe warning is meant to protect the faithful, not frighten them. Jude goes on to tell them to build themselves up in faith and keep themselves in God's love, trusting the One able to keep them from falling. Jude 1:20Jude 1:21Jude 1:24

  • ran greedilyἐκχέω
    Greek · ekcheō · G1632

    The verb means 'to pour out,' used of pouring blood or wine. Used of persons, the lexicon glosses it 'to give oneself up to,' noting the rendering 'ran riotously in.' This pictures people pouring themselves wholly into Balaam's error. Strong's G1632

  • rewardμισθός
    Greek · misthos · G3408

    The word means wages or hire. It links to 2 Peter 2:15, where Balaam 'loved the wages of unrighteousness,' showing the motive Jude exposes is gain. Strong's G34082 Peter 2:15Jude 1:16

  • errorπλάνη
    Greek · planē · G4106

    The word means a wandering or going astray, used in the New Testament of moral or religious error. Revelation 2:14 shows Balaam's error led Israel into idol feasts and fornication. Strong's G4106Revelation 2:14

  • gainsayingἀντιλογία
    Greek · antilogia · G0485

    The word means speaking against, or strife. It fits Korah, who 'strove against Moses and against Aaron' and so 'against the LORD.' Strong's G0485Numbers 26:9

Takeaway

Jude 11 warns that the ways of Cain, Balaam and Korah lead to ruin: evil works against a righteous brother, error for reward, and rebellion. Read in context, it calls believers to recognize such paths and keep themselves in the love of God. Jude 1:111 John 3:122 Peter 2:15Numbers 26:10Jude 1:21

Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a second AI pass. Updated 2026-10-23.

The world around the text

Behind this verse

Cain, Balaam and Core
Each name points to an Old Testament story: Cain killed his brother, Balaam was hired to curse Israel, and Korah (Core) led a rebellion against Moses. Genesis 4:3-8Numbers 22:5-7Numbers 31:16Numbers 16:1-3Numbers 16:31-33

About AD 65-80. Roman emperors: Nero, then Vespasian and Titus (AD 54-68, 69-79, 79-81).

Who ruled
  • Roman emperorsNero, then Vespasian and TitusAD 54-68, 69-79, 79-81

    Nero's death in AD 68 was followed by civil war. Vespasian, the general fighting in Judea, won the throne in AD 69, and his son Titus finished the war and later succeeded him. Suetonius, Vespasian 4-6Tacitus, Histories 1.2Josephus, Jewish War 4.588-604

  • Jewish client kingHerod Agrippa IIc. AD 50-90s

    Ruled territories north and east of Galilee under Rome. He tried to talk Jerusalem out of revolt in AD 66 and stayed on Rome's side. Acts 25:13Josephus, Jewish War 2.345-407

  • Rulers of the provinceRoman governors of JudeaAD 44-66, then from AD 70

    Judea was ruled by Roman governors until the revolt. After AD 70 it became a separate province with a Roman legion stationed in ruined Jerusalem. Josephus, Jewish War 2.271-308Josephus, Jewish War 7.1-5

What was happening, AD 62 to AD 81
  1. AD 62
    The churchJames, Jude's brother, is killed

    The high priest Ananus had "James, the brother of Jesus who was called Christ" stoned in Jerusalem. Jude names himself "brother of James." Josephus, Antiquities 20.197-203Jude 1:1Galatians 1:19

  2. AD 64
    The churchNero blames the Christians for Rome's fire

    After the Great Fire of Rome, Nero put a "vast multitude" of Christians to death. Tacitus, Annals 15.38-44

  3. AD 66
    WarThe Jewish revolt begins

    Jerusalem rose against Rome after the governor Florus seized money from the temple treasury. Josephus, Jewish War 2.293-308, 2.409-410

  4. AD 68-69
    RulersThe Year of the Four Emperors

    After Nero's suicide, Galba, Otho and Vitellius each seized power and fell within months, until Vespasian won. Tacitus, Histories 1.1-2Suetonius, Galba, Otho, Vitellius

  5. AD 70
    WarJerusalem and its temple destroyed

    Titus took Jerusalem after a five-month siege and the temple was burned, as Jesus had foretold. Josephus, Jewish War 6.249-287Luke 19:41-44Luke 21:20-24

  6. AD 73 or 74
    WarThe fall of Masada

    The last rebels held out on the desert fortress of Masada above the Dead Sea until a Roman siege ramp reached its walls. Josephus, Jewish War 7.252-406

  7. August AD 79
    DisasterVesuvius buries Pompeii

    The eruption of Vesuvius buried Pompeii and Herculaneum in Italy. Pliny the Younger, Letters 6.16, 6.20

  8. AD 80
    BuildingThe Colosseum opens

    Titus opened the great amphitheater in Rome, built partly with spoils from the Jewish war. Suetonius, Titus 7.3Cassius Dio, Roman History 66.25

  9. c. AD 81-96
    The churchJude's grandsons before Domitian

    An early church historian records that Domitian summoned two grandsons of Jude, "the brother of the Lord," as descendants of David. Finding them poor farmers with hard hands, he let them go. Eusebius, Church History 3.19-20 (citing Hegesippus)

The full picture: places, culture and daily life. Scripture first, then ancient writers on these years (Josephus, Tacitus, Suetonius, Eusebius) and on the Jewish writings Jude draws on. Drafted by Claude and not yet reviewed by a person.

Original Greek words

EnglishGreekSay itStrong'sMeaning
WoeοὐαὶouaiG3759
woe!

οὐαί (ouai) οὐαί interj. of grief or denunciation, [in LXX for הוֹי, etc. ;] alas! woe! most frequently with dative of person(s) Mat.11:21 23:14, Mrk.13:17 14:21, Luk.6:24-26 Ju 11, al.; with vocat. (nom.), Rev.18:10, 16 18:19 (cf. Isa.1:24, al.); with accusative, Rev.12:12, before ἐκ, Rev.8:13; with dative before ἀπό (see M, Pr., 246), Mat.18:7. As subst., 1Co.9:16 (cf. Jer.6:4); ἡ οὐ., Rev.9:12 11:14; pl., Rev.9:12; οὐ., οὐ., οὐ., Rev.8:13 (AS)

to them,αὐτοῖς,autoisG0846
it/s/he

αὐτός (autos) αὐτός, -ή, -ό, determinative pron., in late Gk. much more frequently than in cl. (WM, 178f.; Jannaris, HGG, §1399). 1. Emphatic (so always in nom. exc. when preceded by the art., see infr., iii); (1) self (ipse), expressing opposition, distinction, exclusion, etc., αὐ. ἐκχυθήσεται, Luk.5:37; αὐ. ἐγινώσκεν, Jhn.2:25; αὐ.ὑμεῖς, Jhn.3:28; καὶ αὐ. ἐγώ, Rom.15:14; αὐ. Ἰησοῦς, Jhn.2:24; αὐ. καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, Mrk.2:25; ὑμεῖς αὐ., Mrk.6:31; esp. (as freq in cl.) αὐ. ὁ, Mat.3:4, Mrk.6:17, Jhn.16:27, 1Th.3:11, al.; in late Gk., sometimes weakened, ἐν αὐτῇ τ. ὥρᾳ, in that hour, Luk.10:21 (M, Pr., 91; …

becauseὅτιhotiG3754H
that/since: that

ὅτι (hoti) ὅτι, conjc. (prop. neut. of ὅστις). I. As conjc, introducing an objective clause, that; 1. after verbs of seeing, knowing, thinking, saying, feeling: Mat.3:9 6:32 11:25, Mrk.3:28, Luk.2:49, Jhn.2:22, Act.4:13, Rom.1:13 8:38 10:9, Php.4:15, Jas.2:24, al.; elliptically, Jhn.6:46, Php.3:12, al. 2. After εἶναι (γίνεσθαι): defining a demonstr. or of person(s) pron., Jhn.3:19 16:19, Rom.9:6, 1Jn.3:16 al.; with pron. interrog., Mat.8:27, Mrk.4:41, Luk.4:36, Jhn.4:22 al.; id. elliptically, Luk.2:49, Act.5:4, 9, al.; …

wayὁδῷhodōG3598
road

ὁδός (hodos) ὁδός, -οῦ, ἡ, [in LXX chiefly (very freq.) for דֶּרֶךְ ;] 1. a way, path, road: Mat.2:12, Mrk.10:46, Luk.3:5 al.; κατὰ τὴν ὁ., Luk.10:4, al.; παρὰ τὴν ὁ., Mat.13:4, al.; with genitive of person(s), (subj.), τὴν ὁ. ἑτοιμάζειν (fig.), Mat.3:3, Mrk.1:3, al.; with genitive term. (obj.), ἐθνῶν, Mat.10:5; τ. ἁγίων (figuratively), Heb.9:8; accusative, ὁδόν, with force of prep. (like Heb. דֶּרֶךְ; Bl., §34, 8; 35, 5), ὁ. θαλάσσης, Mat.4:15 (LXX). …

of CainΚάϊνKainG2535
Cain

Κάϊν (Kain) Καίν (Τ, Κάϊν), ὁ, indecl. (in FlJ, Κάϊς, -ιος), (Heb. קַיִן; Gen.4:1), Cain: Heb.11:4, 1Jn.3:12, Ju 11.† (AS)

they wentἐπορεύθησανeporeuthēsanG4198
to travel

πορεύω (poreuō) πορεύω, (πόρος, a ford, a passage), [in LXX chiefly for הלךְ ;] in cl. (the act. becomes obsolete in late Gk.; see M, Pr., 162), to cause to go over, carry, convey. Mid. (always in LXX and NT), ־ομαι, to go, proceed, go on one's way: with accusative, ὁδόν, Act.8:39; before ἐκεῖθεν, Mat.19:15; ἐντεῦθεν, Luk.13:31; ἀπό, Mat.25:41, Luk.4:42; εἰς, Mat.2:20, Mrk.16:12, Luk.1:39, Jhn.7:35, al; εἰς εἰρήνην (cf. 1Ki.1:17). Luk.7:50; ἐν εἰρήνῃ, Act.16:36; ἐπί, with accusative, Mat.22:9, Act.25:12, al; ἕως, Act.23:23; οὗ, Luk.24:28, 1Co.16:6; πρός, with accusative of person(s), Mat.25:9, Luk.11:5, al. …

andκαὶkaiG2532
and

καί (kai) καί, conj., and I. Copulative. 1. Connecting single words; (a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. (b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; (with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. 2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. …

errorπλάνῃplanēG4106
error

πλάνη (planē) πλάνη, -ης, ἡ [in LXX: Pro.14:8 (מִרְמָה), Wis.1:12, al ;] a wandering. Metaphorical, a going astray, an error (in NT always with respect to morals or religion): Mat.27:64, Rom.1:27, Eph.4:14, 1Th.2:3, 2Th.2:11, Jas.5:20, 2Pe.2:18 3:17 3:1-18; 1Jn.4:6, Ju 11.† (AS)

of BalaamΒαλαὰμBalaamG0903
Balaam

Βαλαάμ (Balaam) Βαλαάμ, ὁ, indecl. (Heb. בִּלְעָם), as in LXX (FlJ has ὁ βάλαμος); Balaam (Num.22-24): 2Pe.2:15, Ju 11, Rev.2:14.† (AS)

for rewardμισθοῦmisthouG3408
wage

μισθός (misthos) μισθός, -οῦ, ὁ [in LXX chiefly for שָׂכָר ;] 1. prop., wages, hire: Mat.20:8, Luk.10:7, Rom.4:4, 1Ti.5:18, Jas.5:4, Ju 11; μ. ἀδικίας, Act.1:18, 2Pe.2:13 (but see Mayor and ICC, in l), 2Pe.2:15. 2. Generally, reward: Jhn.4:36, 1Co.9:18; esp. of divine rewards, Mat.5:12 6:1-2, 5 6:16 10:41-42 Mrk.9:41, Luk.6:23, 35, 1Co.3:8 3:14, 2Jn.8, Rev.11:18 22:12; ἔχειν μ., Mat.5:46, 1Co.9:17.† (AS)

they rushedἐξεχύθησανexechuthēsanG1632
to pour out

ἐκχέω (ekcheō) ἐκ-χέω also Hellenistic, ἐκχύνω (in Th.: 4Ki.14:14 *), and ἐκχύννω (which see) [in LXX chiefly for שָׁפַךְ ;] to pour out: φιάλην, Rev.16:1-4, 8 16:10, 12 16:17; κέρματα, Jhn.2:15; αἷμα, Mat.23:35 (cf. MM, Exp., xii), Luk.11:50, Act.22:20, Rom.3:15" (LXX) Rev.16:6. Pass., αἷμα, Mat.26:28, Mrk.14:24, Act.22:20; οἶνος, Mat.9:17, Luk.5:37; σπλάγχνα, Act.1:18. Metaphorical, τ. πνεῦμα, Act.2:17-18 (LXX), Act.2:33 10:45, Tit.3:6; ἀγάπη, Rom.5:5 (cf. Sir.36:8, ὀργήν); pass., of persons (like Lat. effundor), to give oneself up to (RV, ran riotously in): Ju 11.† (AS)

andκαὶkaiG2532
and

καί (kai) καί, conj., and I. Copulative. 1. Connecting single words; (a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. (b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; (with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. 2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. …

rebellionἀντιλογίᾳantilogiaG0485
dispute

ἀντιλογία (antilogia) ἀντιλογία, -ας ἡ (ἀντιλέγω), [in LXX chiefly for רִיב ;] gain-saying, strife (the latter sense being found in π.; see MM, VGT, see word; cf. Field, Notes, 106): Heb.6:16 7:7 12:3, Ju 11.† (AS)

of KorahΚόρεKoreG2879
Korah

Κορέ (Kore) Κορέ indecl. (in FlJ, -έου), ὁ (Heb. קֶרַח) Korah: Ju 11.† (AS)

they perished.ἀπώλοντο.¶apōlontoG0622
to destroy

ἀπολλύω (apolluō) ἀπ-όλλυμι and ἀπολλύω [in LXX for אָבַד, etc. (38 words in all)]. 1. Act., 1 to destroy utterly, destroy, kill: Mk 124, 922, al.; τ. ψνχήν, Mat.10:28, al.; 2 to lose utterly: Mat.10:42, al.; metaphorically, of failing to save, Jhn.6:39 18:9. 2. Mid., 1 to perish; (a) of things: Mat.5:29, Jhn.6:12, Heb.1:11 (LXX, al.; …

Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.