Jude 1

Jude · Chapter 1

Jude 1:17

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
17But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;But you, beloved, remember what was foretold by the apostles of our Lord Jesus ChristBut ye, beloved, remember ye the words which have been spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;

In context

AI-assisted, sourced

Jude has just described ungodly men who crept into the church and walk after their own lusts (1:4, 1:16). Now he turns to his readers: "But, beloved, remember." He points them to what the apostles had already foretold, that mockers would come in the last time (1:18). Jude 1:4Jude 1:16Jude 1:17Jude 1:18

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 apostles, whose earlier words Jude recalls. Also the mockers they warned about, whom Jude links to the men troubling his readers (1:18-19). Jude 1:17Jude 1:18Jude 1:19

Jude tells his readers to call to mind what the apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ had said beforehand. Those words, he explains, warned that mockers would arise. So the troublemakers should not shake them; they were expected. Jude 1:17Jude 1:18Strong's G4280

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

SYRIAJerusalemNazarethEGYPTSodomGomorrahSalt SeaCaesarea

The eventsThe verse looks back to apostolic teaching already given to the readers ("they told you," 1:18). The text does not say when or where the apostles spoke it. Jude 1:17Jude 1:18

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

HereTo steady believers facing false teachers by reminding them that the apostles had warned about such people. This leads into Jude's call to build themselves up and keep themselves in God's love (1:20-21). Jude 1:17Jude 1:18Jude 1:20Jude 1:21Jude overview

In the whole of ScriptureJude urges his readers to contend for "the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (1:3). The apostles' words are part of that handed-down faith. 2 Peter 3:2 gives a closely parallel call to be mindful of the words of the prophets and apostles. Jude 1:32 Peter 3:2Jude overview

For readersWhen error appears among God's people, the first response Jude gives is to remember what was already taught. Scripture often calls God's people to remember his word, as in Malachi 4:4 and Acts 20:35. Jude 1:17Malachi 4:4Acts 20:35

  • you yourselvesσέ
    Greek · se · G4771

    The verse opens with an emphatic "you," which the lexicon says can express opposition or distinction. It sets the readers apart from "these" ungodly men just described (1:16). Jude repeats the same contrast in 1:20: "But ye, beloved." Strong's G4771Jude 1:16Jude 1:20

  • rememberμιμνήσκω
    Greek · mimnēskō · G3403

    The lexicon glosses it as remind oneself of, hence remember, and lists the same use in 2 Peter 3:2. Jude also says he writes to put his readers "in remembrance" (1:5). Strong's G34032 Peter 3:2Jude 1:5

  • spoken beforehandπροερέω
    Greek · proereō · G4280

    It means to say before, and the lexicon lists Jude 17 under its use for prophecy, along with Matthew 24:25 and 2 Peter 3:2. The apostles' words were a warning given in advance. Strong's G4280Jude 1:18

  • apostlesἀπόστολος
    Greek · apostolos · G0652

    It means one sent on a mission. In the New Testament it is used especially of the Twelve. Jude points to their teaching as the standard to hold onto, as 1 John 4:6 and Ephesians 4:11 also give apostles a key role. Strong's G06521 John 4:6Ephesians 4:11

Takeaway

False teachers should not surprise believers, because the apostles warned of them ahead of time. Jude's answer is to remember and hold to the apostles' words, and to keep yourselves in the love of God. Jude 1:17Jude 1:18Jude 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

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
You yourselvesὙμεῖςHumeisG4771
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; …

howeverδὲdeG1161
then

δέ (de) δέ (before vowels δ᾽; on the general neglect of the elision in NT, see WH, App., 146; Tdf., Pr., 96), post-positive conjunctive particle; 1. copulative, but, in the next place, and, now (Abbott, JG, 104): Mat.1:2ff., 2Co.6:15, 16, 2Pe.1:5-7; in repetition for emphasis, Rom.3:21, 22, 9:30, 1Co.2:6, Gal.2:2, Php.2:8; in transition to something new, Mat.1:18, 2:19, Luk.13:1, Jhn.7:14, Act.6:1, Rom.8:28, 1Co.7:1 8:1, al.; in explanatory parenthesis or addition, Jhn.3:19, Rom.5:8, 1Co.1:12, Eph.2:4, 5:32, al.; ὡς δέ, Jhn.2:9; καὶ . . . δέ, but also, Mat.10:18, Luk.1:76, Jhn.6:51, Rom.11:23, al.; …

beloved,ἀγαπητοί,agapētoiG0027
beloved

ἀγαπητός (agapētos) ἀγαπητός, -ή, -όν (ἀγαπάω), [in LXX chiefly for יָתִיד, יָדִיד ;] beloved (see M, Pr., 221); (a) by God: of Christ, Mat.3:17; of men, Rom.1:7; (b) by Christians, of one another: 1Co.4:14; frequently as form of address, ib. 10:14; opposite to ἐχθρός, Rom.11:28 (see AR, Eph., 229; Cremer, 17; MM, VGT, see word). (AS)

do rememberμνήσθητεmnēsthēteG3403
to remember

μιμνήσκω (mimnēskō) μιμνήσκω (Bl., -ῄ-, § 3, 3), [in LXX chiefly for זָכַר ;] to remind: mid, and pass.; (a) reflexive, to remind oneself of, hence, to remember: with genitive of thing(s), Mat.26:75, Luk.1:54, 72 24:8, Act.11:16, 2Pe.3:2, Ju 17; with neg., of sins, = to forgive, Heb.8:12 10:17" (LXX) ; with genitive of person(s), Luk.23:42; before ὅτι, Mat.5:23 27:63, Luk.16:25, Jhn.2:17, 22 12:16; ὡς, Luk.24:6; pf., μέμνημι, in Pres. sense (cl.), with genitive of person(s) (of thing(s)), 1Co.11:2, 2Ti.1:4; pres., μιμνήσκομαι (only in late writers), with genitive of person(s), in sense of caring for, Heb.2:6 (L …

declarationsῥημάτωνrhēmatōnG4487
declaration

ῥῆμα (rhēma) ῥῆμα, -τος, τό [in LXX chiefly for דָּבָר, also for פֶּה, and Aram. פִּתְגָּם, etc. ;] 1. prop., of that which is said or spoken, (a) a word: Mat.27:14, 2Co.12:4; pl., τὰ ῥ., of speech, discourse, Luk.7:1, Jhn.8:20, Act.2:14, Rom.10:18, 2Pe.3:2, al.; (b) opposite to ὄνομα (a single word), a saying, statement, word of prophecy, instruction or command (in cl., phrase): Mat.26:75, Mrk.9:32, Luk.1:38 2:50, Act.11:16, Rom.10:8, Heb.11:3; ῥ. θεοῦ (κυρίου), Luk.3:2, Act.11:16, Eph.6:17, Heb.6:5 11:3, 1Pe.1:25" (LXX) ; τὰ ῥ. τ. θεοῦ, Jhn.3:34 8:47; ῥ. ἀργόν, Mat.12:36;ῥ. ἄρρητα, 2Co.12:4. …

spoken beforehandπροειρημένωνproeirēmenōnG4280
to predict

προερέω (proereō) προ-ερέω, -ῶ, see: προεῖπον. προ-εῖπον 2 aor. from unused Pres. (see: εἶπον, and pf., -είρηκα (3Ma.6:35 *), pass., -είρημαι (2Ma.2:32, 3Ma.1:26, al.), 1. to say before: Gal.1:9, 1Th.4:6 (on the form -αμεν, see WH, App., 164), Heb.4:7; before ὅτι, 2Co.7:3 13:2, Gal.5:21; of prophecy, Mat.24:25, Mrk.13:23, Act.1:16, Rom.9:29, 2Pe.3:2, Ju 17. 2. to proclaim publicly, declare openly or plainly (cl.): so R, mg., in 2Co.13:2, Gal.5:21, 1Th.4:6 (cf. προλέγω; but see supr., and cf. M, Th., 38).† (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 …

apostlesἀποστόλωνapostolōnG0652
apostle

ἀπόστολος (apostolos) ἀπόστολος, -ου, ὁ (ἀοστέλλω), [in LXX; 3Ki.14:6 A (שָׁלַח) * ;] 1. a fleet, an expedition (Dem.). 2. a messenger, one sent on a mission (Hdt., LXX, l.with, and π.; see M, Pr., 37 f.; MM, see word; M, Th., i, 2:7 and reff.): Jhn.13:16, 2Co.8:23 Php.2:25. 3. In NT, an Apostle of Christ (a) with special ref. to the Twelve: Mat.10:2, Mrk.3:14, Luk.11:49, Eph.3:5, Rev.18:20, al., equality with whom is claimed by St. Paul, Gal.1:1, 11 ff, 1Ti.2:7, a1.; …

LordκυρίουkuriouG2962G
lord: God

κύριος (kurios) κύριος, -α, -ον (also -ος, -ον), [in LXX (subst.) chiefly for יהוה, also for בַּעַל ,אָדוֹן, etc. ;] having power (κῦρος) or authority; as subst., ὁ κ., lord, master; 1. in general: with genitive of thing(s), Mat.9:38 20:8, Mrk.12:9 13:35, Luk.19:33; τ. σαββάτου, Mat.12:8, Mrk.2:28, Luk.6:5; with genitive of person(s), δούλου, etc., Mat.10:24, Luk.14:21, Act.16:16, al.; absol, opposite to οἱ δοῦλοι, Eph.6:5, 9 al.; of the Emperor (Deiss., LAE, 161), Act.25:26; θεοὶ πολλοὶ καὶ κ. πολλοί, 1Co.8:5; of a husband, 1Pe.3:6; in voc, as a title of respect to masters, teachers, magistrates, etc., Ma …

of usἡμῶνhēmōnG3165
me

μέ (me) 1. apostrophe for με. 2. rarely for μοι, (Homer) (ML)

JesusἸησοῦIēsouG2424G
Jesus

Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous) Ἰησοῦς, -οῦ, dative, voc. -οῦ, accusative, -οῦν (Heb. יֵשׁוּעַ ,יְהֹשֻׁעַ ,יְהוֹשׁוּעַ), 1. JESUS: Mat.1:21, al.; ὁ Ἰ, ib. 3:13, al.; Ἰ. Χριστός, ib. 1:1, Mrk.1:1, al.; Χρ. Ἰ., Rom.2:26, al.; κύριος Ἰ., Act.28:31, al.; Ἰησοῦ, voc., Mrk.1:24, al. 2. Joshua: Act.7:45, Heb.4:8. 3. Jesus, son of Eliezer: Luk.3:28. 4. Jesus, surnamed Justus: Col.4:11. 5. see: βαραββᾶς. (AS)

Christ,Χριστοῦ,ChristouG5547
Christ

Χριστός (Christos) χριστός (Χρ-), -ή, -όν (χρίω), [in LXX for מָשִׁיחַ and cogn. forms ;] 1. 1. as adj., (a) of things, anointing, to be used as ointment (Æsch., Eur., al.; τ. ἔλαιον τὸ χ., Lev.21:10); (b) of persons, anointed (ὁ ἰερεὺς ὁ χ., Lev.4:5; οἱ χ. ἰευρεῖς, 2Ma.1:10): ὁ χ. τοῦ κυρίου or Θεοῦ (1Ki.2:10, Psa.2:2, al.), of the Messiah (Aram., מְשִׁיחָא; cf. Dalman, Words, 289 ff.), Luk.2:11, 26 Jhn.1:41, Act.2:36 4:26, al. …

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