Jude is book 26 of the 27 books of the New Testament and belongs to the General Letters section. See how it fits with the rest in our guide to all 66 books of the Bible.
Quick facts
- Section
- New Testament · General Letters
- Genre
- Letter (urgent exhortation)
- Author (traditional)
- Jude (Judas), brother of James and of Jesus.
- Other views on authorship
- Many scholars think Jesus' brother may indeed be the author; others see it as pseudonymous, written later in his name.
- Date (traditional)
- About AD 60–80.
- Other views on dating
- Estimates range from the 50s to about AD 100.
- Chapters
- 1
- Verses
- 25
- Reading time
- About 3 minutes (604 words in the BSB)
What is Jude about?
Jude had planned to write about the salvation believers share, but news of false teachers forced a change of plan. These people claimed spiritual insight, rejected authority, indulged their desires and used grace as cover. Jude calls them dangerous reefs at the church's love feasts and clouds without water.
To show that God takes such behaviour seriously, Jude piles up examples: Israel in the wilderness, angels who left their place, Sodom and Gomorrah, Cain, Balaam and Korah. He also draws on Jewish traditions outside the Old Testament, including a dispute over the body of Moses and a prophecy attributed to Enoch.
The final verses turn from warning to care. Believers are to build themselves up in faith, pray in the Spirit, keep themselves in God's love, and show mercy to those who doubt. Jude ends with one of the Bible's most loved blessings, praising the God who is able to keep them from stumbling.
Outline of Jude
| VersesVv. | Section |
|---|---|
| vv. 1–4 | Greeting and purpose Jude urges readers to contend for the faith once delivered. |
| vv. 5–16 | Warnings from history Examples of judgment and a portrait of the false teachers. |
| vv. 17–23 | How to stand firm Remember the apostles' words; build up, pray, keep, and show mercy. |
| vv. 24–25 | Doxology Praise to the God who keeps his people from stumbling. |
Key themes
- Contending for the faith. The faith was 'once for all' entrusted to God's people, and it is worth defending against distortion.
- Grace is not a licence. Jude warns against twisting grace into permission for immorality.
- God's judgment and mercy. God has judged rebellion in the past, yet believers are to show mercy and snatch others from danger.
- God who keeps. The letter begins with those 'kept' in Jesus Christ and ends with the God who is able to keep them.
Key people and places
- Jude — Brother of James, traditionally identified as a brother of Jesus.
- Jesus — The only Master and Lord.
- Michael the archangel — Did not slander even the devil but said, 'The Lord rebuke you.'
- Moses — His body was the subject of a dispute in Jewish tradition.
- Enoch — Seventh from Adam, quoted as warning of judgment.
- Cain, Balaam and Korah — Examples of rebellion and greed.
Places: Egypt, Sodom and Gomorrah.
Key verses in Jude
Quoted from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB).
“Beloved, although I made every effort to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt it necessary to write and urge you to contend earnestly for the faith entrusted once for all to the saints.”
“But you, beloved, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God as you await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you eternal life.”
“And indeed, have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; and to still others show mercy tempered with fear, hating even the clothing stained by the flesh.”
“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you unblemished in His glorious presence, with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord before all time, and now, and for all eternity. Amen.”
How Jude fits the big story
Jude gathers examples from across the Old Testament — the exodus and wilderness in Exodus and Numbers, Sodom and Cain from Genesis — to warn the church. It shares much material with 2 Peter and stands just before Revelation, which carries its themes of faithfulness, judgment and God's final victory into a grand vision. Its closing doxology gathers the whole story into praise of the God who keeps his people until the end.
How to read Jude
At 1 chapter a day you can read Jude in 1 day — in one sitting. Read verses 20–25 first so you see where Jude is heading, then read the warnings in between.