Jude 1:11
What does Jude 1:11 mean?
A plain-English look at Jude 1:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Jude 1:11 means
Jude pronounces woe and names three paths of rebellion. The way of Cain reflects self-will, envy, and hatred that rejects God’s way of acceptance. The error of Balaam for hire shows prophetic gifts corrupted by greed, counseling compromise for gain. The gainsaying of Korah embodies open rebellion against God’s appointed authority, bringing swift judgment. Together they display a triad: lovelessness, covetousness, and insubordination. Jude’s "woe" signals certain doom for those who persist on these roads. The false teachers repeat these patterns—disordered love, corrupted ministry, and rejection of lordship—thereby aligning themselves with stories every believer should recognize as warnings etched in Scripture.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Woe unto them! for they went in the way of Cain, and ran riotously in the error of Balaam for hire, and perished in the gainsaying of Korah.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Woe unto them! for they went in the way of Cain, and ran riotously in the error of Balaam for hire, and perished in the gainsaying of Korah.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949A curse on them! They have gone in the way of Cain, running uncontrolled into the error of Balaam for reward, and have come to destruction by saying evil against the Lord, like Korah.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862woe to them! because in the way of Cain they did go on, and to the deceit of Balaam for reward they did rush, and in the gainsaying of Korah they did perish.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Woe unto them! For they have gone in the way of Cain: and after the error of Balaam they have for reward poured out themselves and have perished in the contradiction of Core.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Woe to them! because they have gone in the way of Cain, and given themselves up to the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
Context
After exposing ignorance and sensuality, Jude anchors his indictment in well-known Old Testament rebels. This verse bridges from their character to their impact on the church. Verses 12–13 will portray them with striking images that reveal danger, emptiness, and destined darkness—hidden rocks, waterless clouds, fruitless trees, raging waves, and wandering stars. Then verses 14–15 will cite Enoch’s prophecy to underline that judgment has been long foretold. The narrative arc reinforces the certainty and seriousness of the threat within the fellowship.
v.10But these rail at whatsoever things they know not: and what they understand naturally, like the creatures without reason, in these things are they destroyed.
v.11This passage
v.12These are they who are hidden rocks in your love-feasts when they feast with you, shepherds that without fear feed themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Zechariah 11:17
Woe to the worthless shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened.
- Isaiah 3:9
The show of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! for they have done evil unto themselves.
- Matthew 11:21
Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
- 1 John 3:12
not as Cain was of the evil one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.
- 2 Peter 2:15
forsaking the right way, they went astray, having followed the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the hire of wrong-doing;
- Hebrews 11:4
By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he had witness borne to him that he was righteous, God bearing witness in respect of his gifts: and through it he being dead yet speaketh.
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