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.”
Questions with answers
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