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.

JUDE 1:11KJV
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Jude 1:11 (KJV)

What does Jude 1:11 mean?

Jude 1:11 warns of severe trouble for certain people because they have followed the example of three notorious figures from the Old Testament—Cain, Balaam, and Korah—each known for rebellion or wrongdoing. The verse uses these examples to highlight the seriousness of their actions and the consequences that follow.

Jude, the writer, is addressing early Christians and warning them about people who have secretly joined their community but are leading others astray. By mentioning Cain (who killed his brother), Balaam (who acted out of greed), and Korah (who led a rebellion), Jude points out that these false teachers are repeating old patterns of destructive behavior, and their fate will be just as tragic.

The Greek behind Jude 1:11

  • "Woe" (οὐαί, ouai): This Greek word is an expression of deep sorrow or warning, often used in the Bible to announce coming judgment or disaster. Here, it signals the seriousness of what Jude is about to say.
  • "Way" (ὁδός, hodos): This word means a path or manner of life. Saying they have "gone in the way of Cain" suggests not just a single act, but a whole pattern of behavior like Cain's.
  • "Error" (πλάνη, planē): This term refers to wandering or being led astray, often in a moral or spiritual sense. Jude uses it to describe the misleading actions of Balaam, which were motivated by the desire for personal gain.
  • "Gainsaying" (ἀντιλογία, antilogia): This word means opposition or rebellion, especially through speaking against authority. Jude uses it to refer to Korah's challenge against Moses, highlighting the rebellious attitude of these false teachers.

Why Jude 1:11 matters

  • Jude 1:11 connects the behavior of false teachers in the early church to well-known stories of rebellion and greed from Israel’s history, showing that these problems are not new.
  • The verse emphasizes that actions motivated by jealousy, greed, or rebellion against rightful authority have always led to ruin, reinforcing the seriousness of such choices.
  • By naming specific examples, Jude helps readers recognize and avoid similar dangers in their own communities, making the warning both concrete and memorable.

Where else these words appear

“Cain” Greek G2535 · used in 3 verses

  • Hebrews 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
  • 1 John 3:12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.

“Balaam” Greek G903 · used in 3 verses

  • 2 Peter 2:15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
  • Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

“gainsaying” Greek G485 · used in 4 verses

  • Hebrews 6:16 For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.
  • Hebrews 7:7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.
  • Hebrews 12:3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

“error” Greek G4106 · used in 10 verses

  • Matthew 27:64 Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.
  • 1 Thessalonians 2:3 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:
  • 2 Peter 2:18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.