Authorship of the Book of Jude in the New Testament
The New Testament book of Jude is traditionally attributed to Jude, identified as "Judas, the brother of James" (Jude 1:1) [2]. This Jude is generally understood to be one of the half-brothers of Jesus [3, 8]. While the name "Judas" appears multiple times in the New Testament [6, 7], this specific identification distinguishes the author from Judas Iscariot and from Judas, son of James, who was one of the twelve apostles [8].
The authorship of the Epistle of Jude was questioned in the early church, and doubts resurfaced during the Reformation period [2]. However, proponents of its authenticity argue that the internal evidence supports its claim to have been written by the Jude whose name it bears [2]. The author explicitly identifies himself as "Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James" (Jude 1:1). This self-description is significant because if the author were an apostle, it is argued he would likely have identified himself as such, as other apostolic writers did [3]. The reference to James, a prominent leader in the early Jerusalem church, further supports the identification with Jesus' half-brother, as James was also a half-brother of Jesus and a key figure in early Christianity [8].
The epistle itself does not provide definitive information regarding its date or place of writing [3]. However, scholarly consensus often places its composition around A.D. 65 [3]. This dating suggests it was written in the later period of the apostolic age [2]. The content of the epistle, which warns against false teachers and apostasy, aligns with concerns prevalent in the church during that era [3]. The author's exhortation to "contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 1:3) indicates a context where the integrity of Christian doctrine was under threat. The remainder of the epistle is largely dedicated to describing these adversaries of the faith [3].
The author also reminds his readers of predictions made by the apostles, a detail that suggests he is not an apostle himself but rather someone who respects and refers to their teachings [3]. This aligns with the understanding that Jude was a close relative of Jesus and James, but not one of the original twelve apostles. The book of Jude shares thematic and linguistic similarities with 2 Peter, leading some scholars to suggest a relationship between the two epistles, though the direction of influence is debated.
While some biblical books, such as Joshua, have uncertain authorship despite traditional attributions [1, 4], and others like the books of Samuel are composite works [5], the Epistle of Jude has strong internal and traditional arguments for its named author. The consistent identification of the author as Jude, the brother of James, has been maintained despite historical questions regarding its canonicity [2].
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Joshua, Book Of — Named from Joshua the son of Nun, who is the principal character in it. The book may be regarded as consisting of three parts: + The conquest of Canaan; chs. 1-12. + The partition of Canaan; chs. 13-22. + Joshua's farewell; chs. 23,24. Nothing is really known as to the authorship of the book. Joshua himself is generally named as the author by the Jewish writers and the Christian fathers; but no contemporary assertion or sufficient historical proof of the fact exists, and it cannot be maintained without qualification. The last verses, ch. (Joshua 24:2”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Jude, Epistle of — The author was "Judas, the brother of James" the Less (Jude 1:1), called also Lebbaeus (Matt. 10:3) and Thaddaeus (Mark 3:18). The genuineness of this epistle was early questioned, and doubts regarding it were revived at the time of the Reformation; but the evidences in support of its claims are complete. It has all the marks of having proceeded from the writer whose name it bears. There is nothing very definite to determine the time and place at which it was written. It was apparently written in the later period of the apostolic age, for when it w”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Jude, Epistle Of — Its author was probably Jude, one of the brethren of Jesus, the subject of the preceding article. There are no data from which to determine its date or place of writing, but it is placed about A.D. 65. The object of the epistle is plainly enough announced ver. 3; the reason for this exhortation is given ver. + The remainder of the epistle is almost entirely occupied by a minute depiction of the adversaries of the faith. The epistle closes by briefly reminding the readers of the oft-repeated prediction of the apostles--among whom the writer seems not”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Joshua, The Book of — Contains a history of the Israelites from the death of Moses to that of Joshua. It consists of three parts: (1.) The history of the conquest of the land (1-12). (2.) The allotment of the land to the different tribes, with the appointment of cities of refuge, the provision for the Levites (13-22), and the dismissal of the eastern tribes to their homes. This section has been compared to the Domesday Book of the Norman conquest. (3.) The farewell addresses of Joshua, with an account of his death (23, 24). This book stands first in the second of the”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Samuel, Books Of — are not separated from each other in the Hebrew MSS., and, from a critical point of view, must be regarded as one book. The present, division was first made in the Septuagint translation, and was adopted in the Vulgate from the Septuagint. The book was called by the Hebrews: "Samuel," probably because the birth and life of Samuel were the subjects treated of in the beginning of the work. The books of Samuel commence with the history of Eli and Samuel, and contain all account of the establishment of the Hebrew monarchy and of the reigns of Saul and D”
- STEPBible TIPNR “Biblical proper name: [email protected]=G2455I — Man living at the time of the New Testament (refs: #A man from the tribe of Judah living at the time of the New Testament, first mentioned at Mat.13.55)”
- STEPBible TIPNR “Biblical proper name: [email protected]=G2455M — Man living at the time of the New Testament (refs: #A man living at the time of the New Testament, first mentioned at Act.15.22; <br>referred to as <st)”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 6:16: 6:16 Judas (son of James) was probably also called Thaddaeus (Matt 10:3; Mark 3:18). He was a different man than Judas Iscariot or Jude the half brother of Jesus (who wrote the New Testament book of Jude). • Judas Iscariot: Iscariot probably means “from Kerioth,” a village twelve miles south of Hebron.”