Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam’s error and perished in Korah’s rebellion.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "ran greedily" captures a reckless, unrestrained abandon, like a torrent bursting its banks, signifying how these individuals surrendered themselves utterly to a deceptive path driven by a lust for gain. This wasn't just a minor misstep, but a complete loss of self in pursuit of worldly advantage, mirroring Balaam's own compromised character.
Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam’s error and perished in Korah’s rebellion.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jude issues a strong "woe" upon false teachers, characterizing their destructive path by pointing to three notorious figures from Israel's past. He warns that these individuals are following the murderous envy of Cain, the greedy corruption of Balaam, and the rebellious pride of Korah, all of which led their historical counterparts to ruin. This vivid imagery serves to highlight the grave spiritual danger these deceivers pose and the certain doom awaiting them.
Jude points to the very first murderer in history to describe these false teachers. What drove Cain, and what does that reveal about these modern troublemakers?
The First Brother's Sin
Jude immediately calls out the false teachers by comparing them to Cain, the first murderer. What was Cain’s core issue?
Envy and Hatred
Notice how Jude connects their current actions to a deep-seated, ancient pattern of wickedness that begins with jealousy.
Ask a follow-up
Why would a prophet of God lead God's people astray? Jude points to Balaam, a stark warning about the deadly lure of greed.
The Prophet Who Sold Out
Balaam is a chilling example of someone who knew God but twisted truth for personal profit. Jude highlights this critical danger:
The Price of Greed
These teachers aren't just mistaken; they are actively pursuing selfish gain, and are willing to lead others into moral and spiritual ruin to get it.
When people reject God-appointed leaders and His established order, disaster follows. Korah's rebellion is a stark reminder of the consequences.
The Danger of 'Gainsaying'
The third figure Jude brings up is Korah, a symbol of outright rebellion against God's established authority.
Against the Ordained
These individuals don't just disagree; they actively oppose and contradict the authority God has established in His church and His Word.
Understand the original words
ouai · Greek Interjection
An interjection of lament, grief, or impending divine judgment. It signifies a pronouncement of calamity or curse upon those who oppose God or His people.
derek · Hebrew Noun
In a biblical context, refers to a lifestyle or moral path. It denotes the ethical conduct and direction of one’s life, reflecting either obedience to God or rebellion against Him.
Qayin · Hebrew Noun
The first-born son of Adam and Eve, who murdered his brother Abel. In biblical typology, he represents the archetype of envy, false worship, and murderous rebellion against God's requirements.
Bilaam · Hebrew Noun
A non-Israelite prophet hired by Moab to curse Israel. He represents greed, compromise, and leading God's people into spiritual and moral corruption for personal profit.
Qorach · Hebrew Noun
A Levite who led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron, challenging God-ordained authority. He symbolizes pride, insurrection, and the catastrophic consequences of rejecting divine leadership.
~1400 BC
Rebellion of Korah
Korah led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron's authority, challenging their leadership and the Levitical priesthood. The rebellion was brutally suppressed, with Korah and his followers perishing.
~1400 BC
Balaam's Deception
Balaam, hired by King Balak, failed to curse Israel but instead advised Moabite women to seduce them into idolatry and immorality, leading to divine judgment.
Unknown, likely Pre-Flood
Cain's Murder
Cain, the firstborn son of Adam and Eve, murdered his brother Abel out of envy and anger, setting a precedent for violence and hatred.
c. AD 60-70— this verse
Early Church Persecution and False Teaching
The early church faced internal challenges from false teachers who distorted the faith for personal gain and external pressures. Jude writes to warn believers about these infiltrators who were corrupting the church from within.
This passage describes Cain's murderous envy towards his brother Abel, establishing the 'way of Cain' as a path of hatred and violence rooted in jealousy, a pattern these false teachers followed in their hearts and actions.
This narrative shows Balaam's attempt to curse Israel for reward, illustrating the 'error of Balaam' as succumbing to greed and compromising divine will for personal gain, a motive driving the false teachers.
Korah's rebellion against Moses and Aaron, fueled by pride and a challenge to divinely appointed authority, directly mirrors the 'gainsaying of Korah' where these teachers opposed spiritual leadership and order.
2 Peter 2:1-3Peter also warns about false teachers who will secretly bring destructive heresies and exploit people for greed, paralleling Jude's condemnation of these individuals for their destructive doctrines and covetousness.
Revelation 2:14This passage mentions Jezebel encouraging Israel to commit sexual immorality and eat food sacrificed to idols, reflecting how Balaam's error (as mentioned in Numbers) led to idolatry and immorality, a seduction the false teachers engaged in.
jfbJude 1:11: "Woe 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."
- Woe—See on [2668]2Pe 2:14, "cursed children."Cain—the murderer: the root of whose sin was hatred and envy of the godly, as it is the sin of these seducers.ran greedily—literally, "have been poured forth" like a torrent that has burst its banks. Reckless of what it costs, the loss of God's favor and heaven, on they rush after gain l…
clarkeJude 1:11: "Woe 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."
They have gone in the way of Cain - They are haters of their brethren, and they that are such are murderers; and by their false doctrine they corrupt and destroy the souls of the people. The error of Balaam - For the sake of gain they corrupt the word of God and refine away its meaning, and let it down so as to suit the passions of the…
The phrase "ran greedily" captures a reckless, unrestrained abandon, like a torrent bursting its banks, signifying how these individuals surrendered themselves utterly to a deceptive path driven by a lust for gain. This wasn't just a minor misstep, but a complete loss of self in pursuit of worldly advantage, mirroring Balaam's own compromised character.
Jude issues a strong "woe" upon false teachers, characterizing their destructive path by pointing to three notorious figures from Israel's past. He warns that these individuals are following the murderous envy of Cain, the greedy corruption of Balaam, and the rebellious pride of Korah, all of which led their historical counterparts to ruin. This vivid imagery serves to highlight the grave spiritual danger these deceivers pose and the certain doom awaiting them.
Jude issues a strong "woe" upon false teachers, characterizing their destructive path by pointing to three notorious figures from Israel's past. He warns that these individuals are following the murderous envy of Cain, the greedy corruption of Balaam, and the rebellious pride of Korah, all of which led their historical counterparts to ruin. This vivid imagery serves to highlight the grave spiritual danger these deceivers pose and the certain doom awaiting them.
"Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam’s error and perished in Korah’s rebellion." — The phrase "ran greedily" captures a reckless, unrestrained abandon, like a torrent bursting its banks, signifying how these individuals surrendered themselves utterly to a deceptive path driven by a…
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Last reviewed October 2026