Jude 1:17
What does Jude 1:17 mean?
A plain-English look at Jude 1:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Jude 1:17 means
Jude calls his readers "beloved" and urges them to remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ previously said. Memory is a shield. The church is not caught off guard; the apostles prepared believers for seasons like this. By anchoring them in apostolic words, Jude directs them away from novelty back to the tested foundation. Their faith rests not on these intruders’ claims but on Christ’s commissioned witnesses. Remembering restores perspective: what feels chaotic is part of the pattern Jesus and His apostles foretold. In confusion, Christians do well to return to what has been spoken before, and steady their steps by it.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But ye, beloved, remember ye the words which have been spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
KJV
King James Version · 1611But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But ye, beloved, remember ye the words which have been spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But you, my loved ones, keep in memory the words which were said before by the Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and ye, beloved, remember ye the sayings spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ:
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But you, my dearly beloved, be mindful of the words which have been spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But ye, beloved, remember the words spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Context
After a long exposure of the intruders, Jude turns to equip the faithful. Verse 17 begins a pastoral section filled with comfort and instruction. Verse 18 recalls the apostles’ prediction about mockers in the last time, directly connecting present trouble to prior warnings. Verse 19 further identifies the false teachers as divisive, sensual, and Spirit-less. With this frame in place, verses 20–21 will command believers to build, pray, and keep themselves, while verses 22–23 describe merciful, careful ministry to those affected.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 20:35
In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring ye ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
- Malachi 4:4
Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, even statutes and ordinances.
- 1 John 4:6
We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he who is not of God heareth us not. By this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
- Ephesians 4:11
And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
- 2 Peter 3:2
that ye should remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and the commandment of the Lord and Saviour through your apostles:
- Ephesians 2:20
being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner stone;
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