Author
The writer of this letter identified himself as Jude, “a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James” (Jude 1). From very early in the history of the church, Jude was recognized as not only the brother of James, the well-known leader of the church in Jerusalem, but, like James, as the half-brother of the Lord. He did not refer to himself as an apostle but rested his authority first on his servanthood to Jesus and then on his relationship to James.
Date
Matthew 13:55 and Mark 6:3 refer to the brothers of Jesus. Among the names given are James and Judas (or Jude). If this writer is actually a brother of Jesus, why doesn’t he clearly say so? The answer, given from as far back in church history as Clement of Alexandria (second century), is his humility. Jude’s brother James was commonly understood to be the brother of the Lord, and Jude found it sufficient to use his relationship to James to make his introduction. Both James and Jude preferred to think of themselves as servants of Jesus. Perhaps they did so out of humble acknowledgment that during their family life with him they did not believe in him (see Jn 7:5).
Any attempt to establish the date of this letter immediately faces the questions raised by the relationship between 2 Peter and Jude. Even a casual reading reveals striking similarities between the two books. Scholars have wondered whether one author used the other’s work. Some believe that Jude used Peter’s letter. These date the writing of Jude after Peter’s death, which occurred about AD 66 or 67. Others say that Jude’s letter has priority, dating it before Peter’s martyrdom. A third possibility is that both Peter and Jude made use of a common source, a catechetical tract used in the early church to instruct believers about false teachers. If that was the case, an early date is indicated. Assigning the letter an exact date is impossible; however, probably Jude was written sometime between AD 65–80.
Background
Setting
The place from which the book of Jude was written has never been identified with certainty, although Palestine and Egypt have been suggested.
Audience
The letter does not give any information about its original recipients. Nevertheless, the content of the letter indicates that Jude’s intended audience was well versed in Old Testament Scripture. The author commended them for their knowledge of the exodus (Jude 5), angels (Jude 6) and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Jude 7). They are also acquainted with Jewish literature current in the first century (Jude 9,14). Furthermore, there are no references to Gentiles. It appears, therefore, that the recipients of Jude’s letter were Jewish converts to Christianity who had been dispersed throughout Asia Minor.
Purpose
Jude’s purpose was to discuss salvation. The false teachers made it necessary for him to add a warning about the mixture of truth and error.
Themes
Apparently Jude intended to write about the salvation he and his readers had in common (Jude 3), but news of a dangerous heresy caused him to change direction. He devoted the major part of his letter to instructing believers concerning false teachers who were infiltrating the Christian community. He gave graphic descriptions of the corruptions they taught and the destruction for which they were headed. Near the end of the letter, he reminded the believers to be devoted to edifying themselves with their “most holy faith” (Jude 20). Jude concluded his letter with what has become one of the most beloved benedictions in the Christian church (Jude 24–25).
Outline