What does Jude 1:14 mean?

Explanation

This verse from the Epistle of Jude references a prophecy attributed to Enoch, the seventh generation from Adam, according to the genealogy in Genesis.

Its context is a warning against false teachers and ungodly individuals.

In the prophecy, Enoch speaks of the Lord's coming with "ten thousands of his saints" to execute judgment upon the wicked.

The verse suggests a future event when the Lord will come with a multitude of his holy ones to bring judgment and to convict all the ungodly of their ungodly deeds and hard words against Him.

Historical Context

The Epistle of Jude was written in the early Christian era, possibly between 65 and 80 A.D. The author is traditionally identified as Jude, the brother of Jesus.

The book addresses the concerns of early Christian communities regarding false teachers who were spreading heresies and leading people away from the teachings of the apostles.

The reference to Enoch is intriguing because it seems to draw from an apocryphal source, the Book of Enoch, which is not included in the canonical Bible but was known and held in high regard by certain segments of the early Jewish and Christian communities.

Theological Insights

The mention of Enoch's prophecy in Jude brings forth several theological points: 1.

Divine Judgment: It upholds the concept of a final judgment where God will hold individuals accountable for their actions. 2.

Messianic Expectation: Enoch's prophecy is seen as a foreshadowing of the Second Coming of Christ with his holy ones, which is a core Christian belief about the end of times. 3.

The Role of Enoch: Enoch is a mysterious biblical figure; his inclusion here gives credence to the belief in continuity between the Old Testament righteous and New Testament teachings. 4.

Canon of Scripture: The use of a non-canonical source raises questions about the boundaries of inspired scripture and the role of extra-biblical texts in early Christian theology.

Practical Applications

This verse can be taken as a reminder of the importance of living a righteous life in anticipation of God's judgment.

It urges believers to stand firm against false teachings and to defend the core principles of their faith.

It also encourages reflection on the nature of justice and the assurance that ungodliness will not go unpunished.

Cross-References

• Revelation 20:12: "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened..."
• Matthew 25:31: "When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him..."
• Deuteronomy 33:2: "And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints..."
• 1 Enoch 1:9: A similar wording to Jude 1:14 found in the apocryphal Book of Enoch.

Language Study

The phrase "ten thousands of his saints" is from the Greek "myriádōn autou tōn hagíōn." "Myriádōn" (myriads) often means a large, indefinite number, sometimes translated as "tens of thousands." "Hagíōn" (saints) refers to holy ones or sanctified people.

This language emphasizes the vastness and holiness of the company accompanying the Lord at the time of judgment.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Ancient myths often feature gods coming in great numbers to enact judgment or to battle.

In Zoroastrianism, there is a notion of a final judgment where the good and evil are separated.

Similarly, in Norse mythology, the gods arrive with an army for the events surrounding Ragnarök.

The use of Enoch in Jude's epistle suggests an intertextuality and a shared understanding of divine judgment across different cultures and religious thought.

Scientific Perspectives

The verse speaks metaphorically of the divine and cosmic events rather than a literal scientific happening.

However, the idea of an ultimate accountability might align with the concept of cause and effect as understood in the physical universe. The scientific community typically does not address the supernatural elements of this verse.

Commentaries

Various scholars and theologians have provided interpretations on this verse: 1.

Early church fathers understood Jude's reference to apocryphal texts as a legitimization of Enoch's prophecy about divine judgment. 2.

Modern commentators often focus on the challenge this verse presents to the established biblical canon, suggesting that early Christianity had a broader conception of revelatory texts. 3.

Some see the reference to "saints" as indicative of both angelic beings and the believers who have been sanctified in Christ. 4.

Others interpret the "coming of the Lord" as an eschatological event tied to the Second Coming of Jesus, thus connecting Enoch's ancient prophecy with core New Testament expectations.