Jude 1

Jude · Chapter 1

Jude 1:16

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
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.These men are discontented grumblers, following after their own lusts; their mouths spew arrogance; they flatter others for their own advantage.These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their lusts (and their mouth speaketh great swelling words), showing respect of persons for the sake of advantage.

In context

AI-assisted, sourced

Jude is finishing his portrait of the ungodly men who had slipped into the church (1:4). Right after quoting Enoch's warning about the 'hard speeches' of the ungodly against the Lord (1:15), he says these men grumble, complain about their lot, follow their own desires, boast loudly, and flatter people to gain something. He then turns to the faithful readers with 'But, beloved' (1:17). Jude 1:4Jude 1:15Jude 1:16Jude 1:17

SpeakingJude, who calls himself a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James. Tradition identifies him with the Judas named among Jesus' brothers. Jude 1:1Jude overview

ToBelievers '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,' ungodly men who turned God's grace into an excuse for immorality and denied the Lord (1:4). 'These' in verse 16 points back to them. Jude 1:4Jude 1:16Strong's G3778

The verse lists marks of the intruders. They grumble and complain, live by their own desires, speak boastful words, and show favor to people for what they can get. The same picture appears in 2 Peter: men who 'speak great swelling words of vanity' and 'walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness.' Jude 1:162 Peter 2:182 Peter 2:10

The letter does not say where it was written or where its readers lived. Its many references to Israel's history and Jewish tradition suggest readers who knew them well. Jude overview

SYRIAJerusalemNazarethEGYPTSodomGomorrahSalt SeaCaesarea

The eventsThe text describes men already present among the readers, sharing their 'feasts of charity' (1:12). Jude says the apostles had foretold such 'mockers in the last time' (1:18). Jude 1:12Jude 1:18

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 shows the readers how to recognize the false teachers so they will 'earnestly contend for the faith' (1:3). Their grumbling and self-serving talk sets them apart from the faithful, who are told to keep themselves in God's love (1:21). Jude 1:3Jude 1:21Jude overview

In the whole of ScriptureGrumbling recalls Israel in the wilderness. Paul warns, 'Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed' (1 Corinthians 10:10), and Jude has already recalled that the Lord destroyed those who did not believe after the exodus (1:5). James shows where following one's own lust leads: 'sin... bringeth forth death' (James 1:14-15). 1 Corinthians 10:10Jude 1:5James 1:14James 1:15

For readersThe verse doubles as a mirror for believers. Scripture tells them to 'do all things without murmurings and disputings' (Philippians 2:14), to live 'to the will of God' instead of human lusts (1 Peter 4:2), and to withdraw from those who suppose 'that gain is godliness' (1 Timothy 6:5). Philippians 2:141 Peter 4:21 Timothy 6:5

  • murmurersγογγυστής
    Greek · gongustēs · G1113

    The word means 'a murmurer,' and in the New Testament the lexicon lists it only here. Its related verb is used for grumbling, which links these men to the murmuring Israelites whom Paul warns against (1 Corinthians 10:10). Strong's G11131 Corinthians 10:10

  • complainersμεμψίμοιρος
    Greek · mempsimoiros · G3202

    The word is built from 'to find fault' and 'lot' or 'fate.' It means 'complaining of one's fate, querulous,' so these men are discontent with what God has given them. The lexicon lists it only here. Strong's G3202

  • great swelling wordsὑπέρογκος
    Greek · huperogkos · G5246

    The word first meant 'of excessive weight or size' and was later used of arrogant speech. The New Testament uses it only here and in 2 Peter 2:18, where such boastful words are used to lure people back into sin. Strong's G52462 Peter 2:18

  • having in admirationθαυμάζω
    Greek · thaumazō · G2296

    The verb normally means "to marvel, wonder at." Paired with "faces" (KJV "persons"), the lexicon notes it renders an Old Testament phrase found in Deuteronomy 10:17, where God "regardeth not persons." Strong's G2296Strong's G4383

  • advantageὠφέλεια
    Greek · ōpheleia · G5622

    The word means 'profit, advantage, benefit.' Their favor toward people is bought by what they can gain, which fits Jude's picture of men running 'greedily after the error of Balaam for reward' (1:11). Strong's G5622Strong's G5484Jude 1:11

Takeaway

Jude teaches that false teachers can be known by how they talk and what drives them. They grumble against their lot, follow their own desires, boast, and flatter for gain. Believers are called instead to contentment, humility, and keeping themselves in God's love. Jude 1:16Jude 1:20Jude 1:21Philippians 2:14

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

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. …

grumblersγογγυσταὶgongustaiG1113
a murmurer

γογγυστής (gongustēs) γογγυστής, -οῦ, ὁ (γογγύζω); [in Sm.: Pro.26:22, Isa.29:24; Th.: Pro.26:20 * ;] a murmurer: Ju 16.† (AS)

discontented,μεμψίμοιροι,mempsimoiroiG3202
malcontent

μεμψίμοιρος (mempsimoiros) μεμψίμοιρος, -ον (μέμφομαι, + μοῖρα, fate, lot), complaining of one's fate, querulous: Ju 16 † (AS)

afterκατὰkataG2596
according to

κατά (kata) κατά (bef. a vowel κατ᾽, καθ᾽; on the frequently neglect of elision, see Tdf., Pr., 95; WH, App., 146a), prep. with genitive, accusative, down, downwards. I. C. genitive (WM, §47, k; Bl., §42, 2). 1. C. genitive of thing(s), in local sense; (a) down, down from: Mat.8:32, Mrk.5:13, Luk.8:33, 1Co.11:4; (b) throughout (late usage; Bl, l.with): κ. ὅλης κ.τ.λ., Luk.4:14 23:5, Act.9:31 10:37; (with) in a peculiar adjectival phrase: ἡ κ. βάθους, deep or extreme poverty, 2Co.8:2. 2. C. genitive of person(s), usually in hostile sense; …

lustsἐπιθυμίαςepithumiasG1939
desire

ἐπιθυμία (epithumia) ἐπιθυμία, -ας, ἡ (έπιθυμέω), [in LXX chiefly for תַּאֲוָה, אָוָה; also for חֶמֶד, etc. ;] desire, longing: Luk.22:15 (see: ἐπιθυμέω), Php.1:23, 1Th.2:17, Rev.18:14; p1., Mrk.4:19; esp. with ref. to forbidden things, desire, lust (Vg., concupiscentia): Rom.7:7-8, Jas.1:14-15, 2Pe.1:4; pl., Gal.5:24, 1Ti.6:9, 2Ti.2:22 4:3, 1Pe.1:14 4:2; πάθος ἐπιθυμίας, 1Th.4:5; ἐ. κακή, Col.3:5; with genitive, μιασμοῦ, 2Pe.2:10 (see Mayor, in l); τ. καρδιῶν, Rom.1:24; τ. κόσμου (aroused by the world), 1Jn.2:17; τ. σώματος, Rom.6:12; τ. ἀπάτης, Eph.4:22 (see ICC, in l); τ. σαρκός, 1Jn.2:16, 2Pe.2:18 (without ar …

of themselvesἑαυτῶνhe'autōnG1438
/him/herself

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

following,πορευόμενοι,poreuomenoiG4198
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. …

mouthστόμαstomaG4750
mouth

στόμα (stoma) στόμα, -τος, τό [in LXX chiefly for פֻּם ;] the mouth: of man, Mat.15:11, Jhn.19:29, Act.11:8, al.; of animals, Mat.17:27, 2Ti.4:17 (fig.), Heb.11:33, Jas.3:3, al.; figuratively, of inanimate things (ποταμοῦ, Hom.), ἤνοιξεν ἡ γῆ τὸ σ., Rev.12:16; σ. μαχαίρας (Heb. חֶרֶב ־פֶּה, Gen.34:26 al.), the edge of the sword, Luk.21:24, Heb.11:34; esp. of the mouth as the organ of speech: opposite to καρδία, Mat.12:34, Rom.10:8, 10; in various phrases (some cl., some resembling Hebrew; cf. Bl., § 40, 9): ἀνοίγειν τ. σ. (see: ἀνοίγω); σ. πρὸς σ. (פֶּה ־אֵל פֶּה Num.12:8; = cl., κατὰ σ., Hdt., al.), face …

of themαὐτῶνautōnG0846
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; …

speaksλαλεῖlaleiG2980
to speak

λαλέω (laleō) λαλέω, -ῶ, [in LXX chiefly for דּבר pi., also for אמר, etc. ;] 1. to utter: of inanimate things, Rev.4:1 10:4; metaphorically, Heb.11:4 12:24. 2. to talk, speak, say: absol., Mat.9:33 12:46, Mrk.5:35, Luk.8:49; before ὡς, 1Co.13:11, Rev.13:11; εἰς, 1Co.14:9; ἐκ, Mat.12:34; with accusative of thing(s), Mat.10:19, Mrk.11:32, Jhn.8:30, al.; with dative of person(s), Mat.12:46, Luk.24:6, Rom.7:1, al.; with accusative of thing(s) and dative of person(s), Mat.9:18, Jhn.10:6, al.; with prep., πρός, μετά, περί, Mrk.6:50, Luk.1:19 2:33, al.; ἐν, ἐξ, ἀπό, Mat.13:3, Jhn.12:49 14:10, al.; λ. τ. λόγον, …

great swelling [words],ὑπέρογκα,huperogkaG5246
boastful

ὑπέρογκος (huperogkos) ὑπέρ-ογκος, -ον [in LXX: Deu.30:11 (פָּלָא), etc. ;] of excessive weight or size; metaphorically, excessive, immoderate, in late writers, of arrogant speech (see Mayor on Ju, l.with): n. pl., 2Pe.2:18, Ju 16.† (AS)

flatteringθαυμάζοντεςthaumazontesG2296
to marvel

θαυμάζω (thaumazō) θαυμάζω [in LXX for נָשָׂא, etc. ;] to marvel, wonder, wonder at: absol., Mat.8:10, 27 9:33 15:31 21:20 22:22 27:14, Mrk.5:20 15:5, Luk.1:21 (R, txt.; ICC, in l, but see infr.), Luk.1:63 8:25 11:14 24:41, Jhn.5:20 7:15, Act.2:7 4:13 13:41, Rev.17:7-8; with accusative of person(s), Luk.7:9; with accusative of thing(s), Luk.24:12 (WH, R, mg. om.), Jhn.5:28, Act.7:31; θαῦμα μέγα, Rev.17:6; πρόσωπον (LXX for פָּנִים נָשָׂא, Deu.10:17, al.), Ju 16; before διά, with accusative, Mrk.6:6, Jhn.7:21; before ἐν, with dative obj., Luk.1:21 (? R, mg., but see supr); before ἐπί, with dative of thing(s), L …

facesπρόσωπαprosōpaG4383
face

πρόσωπον (prosōpon) πρόσωπον, -ου, τό (πρός, ὤψ), [in LXX chiefly and very frequently for פָּנִים ;] 1. prop., of persons (so always in cl.); (a) the face, countenance: Mat.6:16-17, Mrk.14:65, Luk.9:29, 2Co.3:7, Rev.4:7, al.; τὸ π. τῆς γενέτεως (EV, natural face), Jas.1:23; πίπτειν ἐπὶ (τὰ) π., Mat.17:6, Luk.5:12, Rev.7:11, al.; ἀγνοούμενος τῷ π., Gal.1:22; π., οὐ καρδίᾳ, 1Th.2:17; κατὰ πρόσωπον (in front, facing: Thuc., Xen., al.), when present, face to face, Act.25:16, 2Co.10:1 10:7, Gal.2:11; id. with genitive, as compound prep., in the presence of (not cl.; see Bl., § 40, 9; M, Pr., 99 f.; Thackeray, Gr., 4 …

of profitὠφελείαςōpheleiasG5622
advantage

ὠφέλεια (ōpheleia) ὠφέλεια (WH, -λία), -ας, ἡ [in LXX for יָעַל hi., בֶּצַע, etc. ;] 1. assistance, help (Thuc., Plat., al.). 2. profit, advantage, benefit (Hdt., Plat., al.): Rom.3:1, Ju 16.† (AS)

because.χάριν.¶charinG5484
because of

χάριν (charin) therefore, because of this, for this reason the acc. sg form of the noun χάριν which can be used as an improper preposition, on account of, because of, for this reason Lk. 7:47; Eph. 3:1, 14; 1Jn. 3:12; for the sake of, in order to, Gal. 3:19; Tit. 1:5, 11; Jude 16; on the score of, 1Tim. 5:14*

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