Jude 1:13
What does Jude 1:13 mean?
A plain-English look at Jude 1:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Jude 1:13 means
They are like wild waves, frothing up their own shame, not true glory. Their activity is noisy and forceful, but what they produce is disgrace brought to the surface. They are like wandering stars—celestial bodies that blaze briefly but do not keep a fixed course. Instead of guiding, they mislead. For such, the blackness of darkness has been reserved forever. The contrast is stark: loud, unstable lives end in silent, unending night. Jude assures believers that the end of these teachers is not uncertain. God has set their sentence, and the seeming brilliance that beguiles some will fade into everlasting loss unless they repent.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000wild waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the blackness of darkness hath been reserved for ever.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901wild waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the blackness of darkness hath been reserved for ever.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Violent waves of the sea, streaming with their shame, wandering stars for whom the darkest night is kept in store for ever.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862wild waves of a sea, foaming out their own shames; stars going astray, to whom the gloom of the darkness to the age hath been kept.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own confusion: wandering stars, to whom the storm of darkness is reserved for ever.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shames; wandering stars, to whom has been reserved the gloom of darkness for eternity.
Context
Continuing the metaphors from verse 12, Jude now emphasizes shame and judgment. The imagery of waves and wandering stars captures both internal turmoil and misleading influence. Verses 14–15 will then ground this destiny in Enoch’s prophecy about the Lord coming with His holy ones to judge. The flow moves from present character to future certainty. By painting their end in such dark tones, Jude dissuades the church from following them and prepares hearts to receive the coming encouragements to perseverance and mercy in verses 17–23.
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;
v.13This passage
v.14And to these also Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, Behold, the Lord came with ten thousands of his holy ones,
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Revelation 21:8
But for the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part shall be in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death.
- Jeremiah 5:22
Fear ye not me? saith Jehovah: will ye not tremble at my presence, who have placed the sand for the bound of the sea, by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it? and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it.
- Philippians 3:19
whose end is perdition, whose god is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.
- Revelation 8:10
And the third angel sounded, and there fell from heaven a great star, burning as a torch, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of the waters;
- Psalms 65:7
Who stilleth the roaring of the seas, The roaring of their waves, And the tumult of the peoples.
- Isaiah 57:20
But the wicked are like the troubled sea; for it cannot rest, and its waters cast up mire and dirt.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Jude 1
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Jude 1.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Complaining
The Bible consistently warns against complaining, portraying it as a sign of distrust in God and a hindrance to joy and spiritual growth
Topic
Bible Verses About Doubt
The Bible acknowledges the reality of doubt, offering comfort, guidance, and encouragement to those who wrestle with uncertainty.
Topic
Bible Verses About the Eternity of God
God’s endless existence, without beginning or end, assures His faithfulness and unchanging nature through all generations.