Jude 1:17 Meaning: Remember the Apostles' Words Against Mockers
But you, beloved, remember the words which have been spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.
But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
But ye, beloved, remember ye the words which have been spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
and ye, beloved, remember ye the sayings spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ:
But ye, beloved, remember the words spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Meaning in one sentence
Jude 1:17 calls believers to remember the apostles' warnings about mockers and false teachers, equipping them to stand firm in the last days.
Context
Jude writes a short, urgent letter to Christians who are facing dangerous teachers from within their own fellowship. He has just described these people in stark images: wild waves, wandering stars, murmurers, complainers. Now he turns directly to his readers and calls them beloved, a word that sets them apart from the trouble-makers. He asks them to dig into their memory. Before these false teachers ever appeared, the apostles of Jesus Christ had already spoken about them. Jude is not trying to surprise anyone. He is saying, in effect, you were told this would happen. The same call to remember appears in Peter's second letter, suggesting the apostles shared a common warning: difficult times would come, and mockers would arise. For Jude, remembering is not a casual exercise. It is the way believers keep their footing when everything around them feels shaky.
Key Words
Three words open the verse and shape everything that follows. Beloved (agapētos) is not just a warm greeting. Jude uses it to mark the difference between his readers and the ungodly people he has just described. You are loved. That is your identity, not your confusion or your fear. The second word is remember (mnēsthēte). In the original language it is a strong command, the kind used when something matters for survival. Jude is not asking his readers to have a vague recollection. He wants them to call the apostles' words to mind actively, deliberately, as a soldier recalls his orders under fire. The third phrase is spoken beforehand (proeirēmenōn). It is a compound word that means to say something before the event. The apostles did not invent a warning on the spot after the trouble started. They saw it coming and gave the church a map. That is why remembering is so powerful: it is not guesswork. It is trusting the forecast of people who were sent by Christ.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have read this verse as a call to lean on the apostles' authority when false teaching appears. Matthew Henry and John Wesley both point out that Jude does not distance himself from the apostles. He includes himself in their number. Gill and Barnes note the close parallel with 2 Peter 3:2, suggesting that Jude is echoing a familiar warning that the early churches already knew. These commentators agree that the apostles told the church about mockers in the last times, so that believers would not be shaken when scoffers arrived. Whether Jude counts himself as an apostle or simply refers to Peter and Paul as earlier witnesses, the heart of the verse is the same: the church was given advance notice. Remembering that notice is a gift, not a burden.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers think that when Jude says the apostles instead of us apostles, he is excluding himself from apostolic authority. In fact, Jude likely includes himself among the apostles by referring to what they all spoke in the past. The verb spoken beforehand points to a shared message that earlier apostles had delivered. Jude does not need to say us because the readers knew he was part of that circle. More importantly, he is not diminishing his own role. He is giving weight to the prediction by reminding them that it came from Christ's own chosen messengers.
Living This Out
This week, you will probably hear someone mock the Christian faith. It might be a comment at work, a post online, or a friend rolling their eyes at a Bible verse. When that happens, let this verse do its work. Instead of feeling shaken or defensive, pause and remember: the apostles told us this would happen. That mockery is not a sign that Christianity has failed. It is a sign that the apostles were right. That simple recollection can free you from surprise and keep your heart steady. You do not need to have a clever comeback. You just need to remember that you were not left unprepared.
Main takeaway: The apostles warned that mockers would come, so remembering their words keeps us steady when the faith is ridiculed.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
God gave special helpers called apostles to tell us what would happen. They said some people would make fun of God. Remembering that helps us not be scared when it happens.
For ages 9, 12
Jude writes to Christians who were confused and worried because some people in their church were teaching wrong things and making fun of the faith. He says: remember what the apostles already told you. They predicted that mockers would come in the last days. So when you see people laughing at the Bible or at Christians, it is not a surprise. It is actually a reminder that the apostles were speaking the truth. That can make you more confident, not less.
Questions People Ask
Who are the apostles Jude refers to in this verse?
Jude likely means the apostles who taught the early church, including Peter and Paul, who both warned that mockers would appear in the last days (2 Peter 3:3, Acts 20:29). Jude probably includes himself among them, but he is pointing back to what they all said before these false teachers arrived.
What does 'spoken before' mean in Jude 1:17?
It means the apostles predicted these events before they happened. The Greek word proeirēmenōn carries the sense of speaking ahead of time, like a prophecy. So Jude is telling his readers that the false teachers and mockers they are facing were no surprise. God gave advance warning through the apostles so the church would be ready.
How is this verse similar to 2 Peter 3:2?
Both verses urge believers to remember the words of the apostles about mockers in the last days. 2 Peter 3:2 says, 'that you should remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets and the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior.' Jude uses very similar language, which suggests he knew Peter's letter or they shared a common apostolic teaching.
Does Jude 1:17 mean we should only remember the apostles and not think for ourselves?
No. Jude is not discouraging personal thought. He is saying that the apostles' warnings are a foundation. When we encounter confusing or false teachings, we hold them up against what the apostles already said. Remembering helps us discern truth from error, and it gives us a stable place to stand while we keep growing in faith.
Why does Jude call his readers 'beloved' here?
Jude uses the word agapētos to distinguish his readers from the false teachers he described in the previous verses. It is a term of deep affection and also a reminder of their identity. They are loved by God, not like the ungodly people who cause divisions. This affectionate address also softens the command to remember, making it an invitation from a caring pastor rather than a harsh order.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study