The book of Jude
Author
- Jude was the brother of James (who wrote the letter of James) and half-brother of Jesus:
- verse 1: “Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James.”
- We know nothing about his life.
- Some scholars believe Jude wrote it, and other scholars believe someone wrote it and put Jude’s name on it so that others would read it.
Place and Time of Writing
- The place is unknown.
- The time is unknown, but, since it focuses solely on false teachings, it must have come from a time when false teachings were more prominent (than when Peter or Paul were alive); so we will say sometime in the 90s. (Although I have seen one scholar date it as early as 65.)
Unique characteristics
- One chapter.
- One of the General Epistles.
Audience
- All Christians
Theme
- Be cautious of false teachings.
More details about the book of Jude
Why did Jude write Jude?
- The primary concern of Jude is to warn about heresies. We don’t know why he focused on that and did not mention theology, love, how to live as a Christian, etc. For whatever reason, Jude only warns against false teachers and teachings, and he does that in strong language:
- verse 4: “For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.”
Quiz with hover answers (Hover doesn't work for some smart phones and pads, so questions and answers here)
1. Jude was the brother of Jesus.
He was the half-brother of Jesus. He could not have been his full brother because they did not share the same father.
2. Jude is only writing to warn about heresies.
Timeline up to the book of Jude
Dates are approximate.
| Year | Event |
| 63 B.C. | Romans conquer Israel. |
| 27 B.C. | Pax Romana began and lasted until A.D. 180. |
| 4 B.C. | Jesus born. |
| All dates after this are A.D. | |
| 27 | Jesus baptized. |
| 30 | Jesus was crucified, buried, rose from the dead, and ascended to heaven. Apostles travel to Jerusalem and choose Matthias to replace Judas as an Apostle. Day of Pentecost: Peter assumes leadership of Christianity. |
| 30-50 | Peter was leader of Christianity. |
| 33 | Jesus appeared to Paul and Paul became a Christian. |
| 48 | James written. |
| 48-50 | Paul's First Missionary Trip. |
| 50 | Council of Jerusalem; Paul became one of the main Christian leaders. |
| 50-55 | Paul's Second Missionary Trip. |
| 51-53 | Galatians, I & II Thessalonians, I & II Corinthians written. |
| 55-60 | Paul's Third Missionary Trip. |
| 55 | Romans written. |
| 60-62 | Paul arrested in Jerusalem and taken to Rome. Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon written while Paul was under house arrest in Rome. |
| 62-63 | (Not in Acts) Paul probably released from prison during this time. |
| 63-65 | (Not in Acts) Paul probably traveled. He may have gone to Spain. |
| 63 | I Timothy and Titus written. |
| 64 | Fire in Rome and Christians persecuted by Emperor Nero. |
| 65 | II Timothy and I & II Peter written. (Not in Acts)Paul back in Rome; he and Peter arrested and martyred: Peter was crucified upside down and Paul was beheaded. |
| 67 | Gospel of Mark written. |
| 68 | Hebrews written. |
| 70 | Temple in Jerusalem destroyed by Romans (it has not been rebuilt). |
| 80 | Gospels of Matthew and Luke written. |
| 90 | Gospel of John and book of Acts written. |
| 95 | Christians persecuted by Emperor Domitian; Apostle John exiled on island of Patmos where he wrote Revelation. |
| 96 | Emperor Domitian died; Apostle John probably moved to Ephesus. |
| 98 | I, II, and III John and Jude written. |
| 100 | Apostle John died; he was the last Apostle to die. |
| 390's | New Testament canon "closed" at Councils of Hippo (393) and Carthage (397). |
| 1200's | Chapters added to the New Testament. |
| 1500's | Verses added to the New Testament. |
©2016 Mark Nickens