The verse highlights that Enoch, a figure from the distant past before the flood, prophesied not just about his own time, but specifically about the Lord's return with his saints. This emphasizes that God’s ultimate judgment and coming have been known and declared since the earliest days of humanity, long before the events Jude is addressing.
It was also about these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones, to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jude is directly addressing the dangers of false teachers who have infiltrated the church, describing them as ungodly intruders who twist grace into license. To underscore the certainty of divine judgment against such people, he appeals to an ancient prophecy from Enoch, the seventh man from Adam. This prophecy, delivered long before the flood, speaks of the Lord coming with countless holy ones to execute judgment on the ungodly, serving as a stark warning to the false teachers of Jude's own time.
Jude introduces Enoch as 'the seventh from Adam.' Why is this detail so important? It highlights the incredible antiquity of his prophecy and connects it to the very origins of humanity.
The Seventh Generation
Jude identifies Enoch as 'the seventh from Adam.' This isn't just a genealogical marker; it emphasizes the deep historical roots of this prophecy. Think about it: this warning about God's coming judgment was delivered before the great flood, from a time when humanity was still very close to its beginnings.
Ask a follow-up
Enoch's prophecy vividly pictures God's arrival: 'Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones.' What does this grand scene reveal about God's power and the nature of His judgment?
A Divine Retinue
Enoch’s prophecy isn't just about that the Lord is coming, but how He is coming. The imagery is breathtaking and points to something far beyond a simple human arrival.
Jude uses Enoch’s ancient words to expose the false teachers of his day. How does this ancient prophecy serve as a relevant warning even today?
Timeless Truths
Jude doesn't just quote Enoch; he weaponizes this ancient prophecy against the destructive false teachers of his own time. This shows us that prophecy isn't just about predicting the future; it's also about revealing God's character and His judgment against sin, which remains consistent.
Understand the original words
krisin · Greek Noun
The final, irreversible act of God's justice. It is the point of accountability where God evaluates the deeds, words, and hearts of humanity according to His perfect holiness.
elenxai · Greek Verb
An act of proving or exposing the guilt of someone before a court or tribunal. In scripture, it refers to God revealing the true, sinful nature of those who oppose Him.
asebeias · Greek Adjective/Noun
Those who live without regard for God, His laws, or His character. It describes individuals who are functionally atheistic in their behavior, lacking reverence or fear of the Almighty.
The prophecy cited by Jude, though ancient and possibly originating from traditions predating even Moses, was understood to apply to both the pre-flood world and the false teachers of Jude's own time, highlighting the consistent theme of divine judgment against ungodliness throughout history.
c. 3000 BC - 2348 BC— this verse
Antediluvian Period
Enoch lived during the time before the great flood. This era was characterized by widespread human wickedness, as described in Genesis 6.
c. 2348 BC
The Great Flood
The world was judged by a catastrophic flood due to pervasive sin, a judgment foreshadowed in Enoch's prophecy.
c. 400 BC - 200 BC
Book of Enoch Composed
A significant Jewish religious work, the Book of Enoch, was likely composed during this period, drawing on ancient traditions and expanding on Enoch's prophecies.
c. 4 BC - AD 64
Life of Jude
Jude, the author of the epistle, lived during the early Roman period. He drew upon existing Jewish traditions and scriptures.
c. AD 60-64
Jude Writes His Epistle
Jude penned his letter to warn believers about false teachers who had infiltrated the church, using Enoch's prophecy as a powerful example of divine judgment.
This passage describes a similar vision of God's judgment, featuring a fiery river and countless attendants, echoing the majestic and terrifying nature of the Lord's coming described by Enoch.
Hebrews 11:5This verse highlights Enoch's unique walk with God and his translation, providing context for why his prophetic voice, as cited by Jude, would carry such weight and authority.
1 Thessalonians 4:16This New Testament passage describes the Lord's descent from heaven with a shout and the trumpet call, which aligns with the coming of the Lord with his holy ones that Enoch prophesied.
Matthew 25:31Jesus Himself speaks of His glorious return accompanied by His angels, reinforcing the concept of divine judgment being carried out with a heavenly host, as Enoch foretold.
Genesis 5:24This verse, which mentions Enoch being taken by God, serves as the historical anchor for Enoch's unique place in scripture and his being 'the seventh from Adam,' lending credence to the ancient prophecy Jude cites.
gillJude 1:14: "And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,"
And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam,.... This was Enoch the son of Jared; his name signifies one "instructed", or "trained up"; as he doubtless was by his father, in the true religion, in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; and was one that had much communion with God; he walked with him, and was translated by him, body and soul, to heaven, and did not…
pulpitJude 1:14: "And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,"
Verses 14, 15. - And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these. The Revisers render it, and to these also Enoch... prophesied. In the apocryphal writing from which the passage is taken Enoch is styled, as here, "the seventh from Adam." Seven occurs in Scripture as a sacred symbolical number. Its introduction here, therefore, is very generally u…
The verse highlights that Enoch, a figure from the distant past before the flood, prophesied not just about his own time, but specifically about the Lord's return with his saints. This emphasizes that God’s ultimate judgment and coming have been known and declared since the earliest days of humanity, long before the events Jude is addressing.
Jude is directly addressing the dangers of false teachers who have infiltrated the church, describing them as ungodly intruders who twist grace into license. To underscore the certainty of divine judgment against such people, he appeals to an ancient prophecy from Enoch, the seventh man from Adam. This prophecy, delivered long before the flood, speaks of the Lord coming with countless holy ones to execute judgment on the ungodly, serving as a stark warning to the false teachers of Jude's own time.
Jude is directly addressing the dangers of false teachers who have infiltrated the church, describing them as ungodly intruders who twist grace into license. To underscore the certainty of divine judgment against such people, he appeals to an ancient prophecy from Enoch, the seventh man from Adam. This prophecy, delivered long before the flood, speaks of the Lord coming with countless holy ones to execute judgment on the ungodly, serving as a stark warning to the false teachers of Jude's own time.
"It was also about these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones, to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that th…" — The verse highlights that Enoch, a figure from the distant past before the flood, prophesied not just about his own time, but specifically about the Lord's return with his saints. This emphasizes tha…
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Last reviewed October 2026
