Jude 1

Jude · Chapter 1

Jude 1:12

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
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;These men are hidden reefs in your love feasts, shamelessly feasting with you but shepherding only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried along by the wind; fruitless trees in autumn, twice dead after being uprooted.These are they who are hidden rocks in your love-feasts when they feast with you, shepherds that without fear feed themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;

In context

AI-assisted, sourced

Jude is describing the ungodly men who had "crept in unawares" among believers (1:4). In 1:12 he paints them with a string of pictures: dangers at the church's love feasts, rainless clouds, and dead, uprooted trees. The point is that they look promising but give nothing and are headed for judgment (1:13). Jude 1:4Jude 1:12Jude 1:13

SpeakingJude, who calls himself "the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James." Traditionally he is the Judas named among 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 "ungodly men" who had slipped into the church, turning God's grace into an excuse for immorality and denying the Lord. Jude 1:4Jude 1:8Jude 1:16Jude 1:19

Jude says these men share the believers' love feasts (fellowship meals) but care only for themselves, with no fear. He compares them to clouds blown past without giving rain, and to trees in autumn with no fruit, dead twice over and torn out by the roots. Jude 1:12Strong's G0026Strong's G4165Strong's G0870Strong's G5352Proverbs 25:14

The scene is the church's love feasts, its shared fellowship meals. The letter does not say where it was written from or where the readers lived. Jude 1:12Strong's G0026Jude overview

SYRIAJerusalemNazarethEGYPTSodomGomorrahSalt SeaCaesarea

The eventsThe verse describes a present problem in the readers' church: false teachers were already taking part in their shared meals ("when they feast with you"). Jude 1:4Jude 1:12Strong's G4910

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 see through these men so they will "earnestly contend for the faith" and not be misled by people who seem part of the fellowship. Jude 1:3Jude 1:4Jude overview

In the whole of ScriptureThis verse is part of Jude's portrait of the ungodly, set beside examples of God's judgment from Israel's history. A close parallel in 2 Peter uses the same image: "wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest." Jude overviewJude 1:112 Peter 2:17

For readersThe contrast comes in 1:20-21: instead of being fruitless and rootless, believers are to build themselves up in faith, pray, and keep themselves in God's love. Jesus likewise taught that fruit comes only by abiding in him. Jude 1:20Jude 1:21John 15:4

  • spots (hidden reefs)σπιλάς
    Greek · spilas · G4694

    The lexicon gives two meanings: a rock or reef the sea dashes over, used of people whose conduct endangers others, or in later writers a spot or stain. Either way they spoil or wreck the fellowship meal. Strong's G4694Jude 1:12

  • feasts of charity (love feasts)ἀγάπη
    Greek · agapē · G0026

    This is agape, "love," used here in the plural for the church's love feasts. The men are abusing the very meals meant to express Christian love. Strong's G0026

  • feeding (shepherding)ποιμαίνω
    Greek · poimainō · G4165

    The word means to act as shepherd, and is used of caring for God's flock (Acts 20:28, 1 Peter 5:2). "Shepherding themselves" echoes Ezekiel's rebuke of shepherds who "fed themselves, and fed not my flock." Strong's G4165Ezekiel 34:8

  • whose fruit withereth (autumnal)φθινοπωρινός
    Greek · phthinopōrinos · G5352

    The word means "autumnal": trees in late autumn, without fruit at the very time fruit is expected. Their barrenness is shown up exactly when it should be harvest. Strong's G5352Strong's G0175

  • plucked up by the rootsἐκριζόω
    Greek · ekrizoō · G1610

    The word means to root out, and is also used in Matthew 15:13, where Jesus says every plant his Father has not planted "shall be rooted up." Strong's G1610Matthew 15:13

Takeaway

Being present at the church's feasts of charity does not make someone a faithful shepherd or a fruitful tree. Jude's readers are to stay rooted in God's love themselves (1:20-21), as Jesus said, "Abide in me" (John 15:4). Jude 1:12Jude 1:20Jude 1:21John 15:4

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

Feasts of charity
Early Christians shared common meals when they met, along with the Lord's Supper. Paul rebukes the Corinthians for selfishness at these meals. Acts 2:461 Corinthians 11:20-222 Peter 2:13

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
TheseΟὗτοίHoutoiG3778
this/he/she/it

οὗτος (ohutos) οὗτος, αὕτη, τοῦτο, genitive, τούτου, ταύτης, τούτου, [in LXX chiefly for זֹאת ,זֶה ;] demonstr. pron. (related to ἐκεῖνος as hic to ille), this; 1. as subst., this one, he; (a) absol.: Mat.3:17, Mrk.9:7, Luk.7:44, 45, Jhn.1:15, Act.2:15, al.; expressing contempt (cl.), Mat.13:55, 56, Mrk.6:2, 3, Jhn.6:42, al.; εἰς τοῦτο, Mrk.1:38, Rom.14:9; μετὰ τοῦτο (ταῦτα; V. Westc. on Jhn.5:1), Jhn.2:12 11:7, al.; (b) epanaleptic (referring to what precedes): Mat.5:19, Mrk.3:35, Luk.9:48, Jhn.6:46, Rom.7:10, al.; …

areεἰσινeisinG1510
you are

εἶ (ei) εἰμί, with various uses and significations, like the English verb to be. I. As substantive verb. 1. Of persons and things, to be, exist: Act.17:28, Jhn.1:1, 8:58, 17:5, al; ὁ ὢν καὶ ὁ ἦν (for past ptcp.), Rev.1:4, 8, 4:8, 11:17, 16:5 (see Swete, Ap., 5; M, Pr., 228); τὰ (μὴ) ὄντα, Rom.4:17, 1Co.1:28. 2. Of times, events, etc., to be, happen, take place: Mat.24:3, Mrk.14:2, 15:42, Luk.21:23, Jhn.4:6, 23, 5:10, al. …

inἐνenG1722
in/on/among

ἐν (en) ἐν, prep, (the most frequently of all in NT), with dative (= Heb. בְּ, Lat. in, with abl.). I. Of place, with dative of thing(s), of person(s), in, within, on, at, by, among: ἐν τ. πόλει, Luk.7:37; τ. οφθαλμῷ, Mat.7:3; τ. κοιλίᾳ, Mat.12:40; τ. ὄρει, 2Pe.1:18; τ. θρόνῳ, Rev.3:21; τ. δεξιᾷ τ. θεοῦ, Rom.8:34; ἐν ἡμῖν Abbott-Smith has ὑμῖν., Luk.1:1; of books, ἐν τ. βιβλίῳ, Gal.3:10; τ. νόμῳ, Mat.12:5, al.; ἐν τοῖς τ. Πατρός, in my Father's house (RV; cf. M, Pr., 103), Luk.2:49; trop., of the region of thought or feeling, ἐν τ. καρδίᾳ (-αις), Mat.5:28, 2Co.4:6, al.; τ. συνειδήσεσιν, 2Co.5:11; af …

love feastsἀγάπαιςagapaisG0026
love

ἀγάπη (agapē) ἀγάπη, -ης, ἡ [in LXX for אַהֲבָה, which is also rendered by ἀγάπησις and φιλία ;] love, goodwill, esteem. Outside of bibl. and eccl. books, there is no clear instance (with Deiss., LAE, 18:4, 70:2, cf. the same writer in Constr. Quar., ii, 4; and with MM, VGT, see word, cf. Dr. Moulton in Exp. Times, xxvi, 3, 139). In NT, like ἀγαπάω, -ῶ, 1. Of men's love: (a) to one another, Jhn.13:35; (b) to God, 1Jn.2:5. 2. Of divine love; (a) God's love: to men, Rom.5:8; to Christ, Jhn.17:26; (b) Christ's love to men: Rom.8:35. 3. In pl., love feasts: Ju 12 (DB, iii, 157). …

of youὑμῶνhumōnG4771
you

σέ (se) 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; …

hidden reefs,σπιλάδες,spiladesG4694
reef

σπιλάς (spilas) σπιλάς, -άδος, ἡ (on the gender in Ju, l.with, see Mayor, Ju., 41), 1. poët. in cl., a rock or reef over which the sea dashes (Polyb., FlJ, al.). Metaphorical, of men whose conduct causes danger to others, Ju 12, R, txt. (but see infr.). 2. In late writers = σπίλος (which see), a spot, stain; metaphorically, Ju, l.with, R, mg. (cf. Mayor, 41, but see supr.).† (AS)

feasting together [with you]συνευωχούμενοι,suneuōchoumenoiG4910
to feast with

συνευωχέομαι (suneuōcheomai) συν-ευωχέω, -ῶ to entertain together. Pass., to fare sumptuously or feast together or with: Ju 12; with dative of person(s), 2Pe.2:13 (Arist., Luc., al.).† (AS)

fearlesslyἀφόβωςaphobōsG0870
fearlessly

ἀφόβως (aphobōs) ἀφόβως adv. (φόβος), [in LXX: Pro.1:33 (פַּחַד), Wis.17:4 * ;] without fear: Luk.1:74, Php.1:14, 1Co.16:10, Ju 12.† (AS)

themselvesἑαυτοὺςhe'autousG1438
/him/herself

αὑτοῦ (ahutou) αὑτοῦ, -ῆς, -οῦ = ἑαυτοῦ (which see), Mat.6:34, Luk.12:17, al. (MM, see word) (AS)

shepherding;ποιμαίνοντες·poimainontesG4165
to shepherd

ποιμαίνω (poimainō) ποιμαίνω (ποιμήν), [in LXX chiefly for רָעָה ;] to act as shepherd, tend flocks: Luk.17:7; with accusative, ποιμνην, 1Co.9:7. Metaphorical, to tend, shepherd, govern: with accusative, Mat.2:6 (LXX), Jhn.21:16, Act.20:28, 1Pe.5:2, Ju 12, Rev.2:27 7:17 12:5 19:15.† SYN.: βόσκω, q.v (AS)

cloudsνεφέλαιnephelaiG3507
cloud

νεφέλη (nephelē) νεφέλη, -ης, ἡ (νέφος), [in LXX chiefly for עָנָן, also for עָב, etc. ;] a cloud (single and specific as opposite to νεφος, a great indefinite mass of vapour): Mat.17:5 24:30 26:64, Mrk.9:7 13:26 14:62, Luk.9:34-35 12:54 21:37, Act.1:9, 1Th.4:17, Ju 12, Rev.1:7 10:1 11:12 14:14-16; of the pillar of cloud in the wilderness (Exo.14:19-20, Psa.105:39, al.): 1Co.10:1-2.† (AS)

without water,ἄνυδροι,anudroiG0504
waterless

ἄνυδρος (anudros) ἄνυδρος, -ον (ἀ- neg., ὕδωρ) [in LXX for צִיָּה, יְשִׁימוֹן (γῆ ἄ), etc. ;] waterless: τόποι, Mat.12:43, Luk.11:24; πηγαί, 2Pe.2:17; νεφέλαι, Ju 12 (MM, VGT, see word).† (AS)

byὑπὸhupoG5259G
by/under: by

ὑπό (hupo) ὑπό (before smooth breathing ὑπ᾽, Mat.8:9b, Luk.7:8b; before rough breathing ὑφ᾽, Rom.3:9; on the neglect of elision in Mt, Lk, ll. witha, Gal.3:22, see WH, App., 146; Tdf., Pr., iv), prep. with genitive, dative (not in NT), accusative …

windsἀνέμωνanemōnG0417
wind

ἄνεμος (anemos) ἄνεμος, -ου, ὁ [in LXX for רוּחַ ;] wind: Mat.11:7 14:24, 30 14:32, Mrk.4:37, 39 4:41 6:48, 51, Luk.7:24 8:23-24, Jhn.6:13, Act.27:7, 14-15, Jas.3:4, Rev.6:13 7:1; pl., Mat.7:25, 27 8:26-27, Luk.8:25, Act.27:4, Ju 12; οἱ τέσσαρες ἄ. τῆς γῆς, Rev.7:1; hence the four quarters of the heavens (see Deiss., BS, 248; MM, VGT, see word), Mat.24:31, Mrk.13:27; metaphorically, of variable teaching, Eph 414.† SYN.: πνεῦμα, πνοή (and cf. θύελλα, λαῖλαψ). (AS)

being carried away,παραφερόμεναι,parapheromenaiG3911
to take away

παραφέρω (parapherō) παρα-φέρω [in LXX: 1Ki.21:13 (14) (הָלַל hithpo.), and as seel. 2* ;] 1. to bring to, set before, esp. of food (Hdt., al.). 2. to take or carry away: with accusative of thing(s), before ἀπό, Mrk.14:36, Luk.22:42; pass., before ὑπό, Ju 12; metaphorically, pass., with dative, Heb.13:9.† (AS)

treesδένδραdendraG1186
tree

δένδρον (dendron) δένδρον, -ου, τό [in LXX for עֵץ, etc. ;] a tree: Mat.3:10, al.; δ. ἀγαθόν, Mat.7:17, 18; δ. καλόν, Mat.12:33, Luk.6:43; δ. σαπρόν, Mat.7:17, 18 12:33, Luk.6:43; γίνεσθαι δ., Mat.13:32; γ. εἰς δ., Luk.13:19. (AS)

autumnalφθινοπωρινὰphthinopōrinaG5352
autumnal

φθινοπωρινός (phthinopōrinos) φθιν-οπωρινός, -ή, -όν (φθινόπωρον, late autumn), autumnal: δένδρα φ., autumn trees (said to be without fruit therefore at a time when fruit might be expected; see Mayor's elaborate note, Ep. Ju., 55-59, and reff. there): Ju 12.† (AS)

without fruit,ἄκαρπα,akarpaG0175
unfruitful

ἄκαρπος (akarpos) ἄ-καρπος, -ον, [in LXX: Jer.2:6 (צַלְמָוֶת), Wis.15:4, 4Ma.16:7 ;] unfruitful, barren: figuratively, Mat.13:22, Mrk.4:19, 1Co.14:14, Eph.5:11, Tit.3:14, 2Pe.1:8, Ju 12.† (AS)

twiceδὶςdisG1364
twice

δίς (dis) δίς adv., twice: Mrk.14:30, 72; δ. τ. σαββάτου, Luk.18:12; καὶ ἅπαξ κ. δ., Php.4:16, 1Th.2:18; δ. ἀποθανόντα, Ju 12 (see Mayor, ICC, in l); δ. μυριάδες, Rev.9:16.† (AS)

having died,ἀποθανόντα,apothanontaG0599
to die

ἀποθνήσκω (apothnēskō) ἀπο-θνῄσκω, [in LXX chiefly for מוּת ;] to die: of natural death, Mrk.5:35, al.; of violent death (pass. of ἀποκτείνω), esp. of Christ, Mat.26:35, Jhn.12:33, Heb.10:28, al.; of spiritual death, Jhn.6:50, Rom.8:13, al.; with dative ref., Rom.6:2, 10 14:7, 8, Gal.2:19; accusative, ὅ, Rom.6:10; before ἐν, Mat.8:32, Jhn.8:21, 24 1Co.15:22, Heb.11:37, Rev.14:13; before ὑπέρ, περί, Jhn.11:50, 51 18:14, Rom.5:6-8 14:15, 1Co.15:3, 2Co.5:15, 1Th.5:10, 1Pe.3:18; ἀπό, Col.2:20; ἐκ, Rev.8:11; figuratively, 1Co.15:31 (cf. συν-αποθνήσκω, and V. Milligan, NTD, 258f.; DCG, i, 791b; Cremer, 286; MM, see word …

having been uprooted;ἐκριζωθέντα·ekrizōthentaG1610
to uproot

ἐκριζόω (ekrizoō) ἐκ-ριζόω, -ῶ [in LXX: Jdg.5:14 (שֶׁרֶשׁ), Jer.1:10 (נָתַשׁ), Zep.2:4 (גָּרַשׁ A, עָקַר BS), Dan.7:8 (עָקַר), Dan LXX 4:11, 23, Wis.4:4, Sir.3:9 49:7, 1Ma.5:51, 2Ma.12:7 * ;] to root out, pluck up by the roots: with accusative of thing(s), Mat.13:29 15:13 Luk.17:6, Ju 12.† (AS)

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