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How did Jude use Enoch, and did that shape which books became Scripture?
Research question: How do New Testament and early Christian writers such as Jude, which quotes 1 Enoch, use non-canonical texts as authority, and how did that practice shape later decisions about which books count as Scripture?
The records show that Jude cites a prophecy attributed to Enoch regarding the Lord's coming to judge the ungodly 9. Early writers like Irenaeus and Clement of Alexandria cited the Book of Enoch in the second century without questioning its sacred character 2. Tertullian supported the sacredness of Enoch by appealing to the testimony of the Apostle Jude, while acknowledging that some rejected it because it was not in the Hebrew Canon 4. These debates over Jude's extra-biblical citations were part of wider Reformation disputes over the authority of Scripture and the church fathers 5.
Checked 2026-10-14. Only documented and supported facts are used.
Dig deeper on this questionSources
[1] supported
For several centuries the Epistle of Barnabas was classed among the 'disputed writings' (antilegomena), with some early Christians treating it as sacred scripture and others excluding it.
"For several centuries, the epistle was categorized among the " antilegomena " ("disputed writings"); while some early Christians regarded it as sacred scripture, others excluded it."Epistle of Barnabas
[2] supported
Irenaeus and Clement of Alexandria cited the Book of Enoch in the second century without questioning its sacred character.
"Reverting to the second century of Christianity, we find Irenæus and Clement of Alexandria citing the Book of Enoch without questioning its sacred character."The book of Enoch the Prophet : $b Translated from an Ethiopic MS. in the Bodleian Library by
[3] documented
Although they drew heavily on patristic testimony, interpreters strongly disagreed about the sources themselves and about what such citation meant for Jude's apostolic authority and his place in the New Testament canon.
"Drawing heavily on patristic testimony, they voiced strikingly diverse opinions, however, regarding the sources themselves and the consequences of such citation for Jude's apostolic authority and status within the New Testament canon."The Book of Enoch and the <i>Ascension of Moses</i> in Reformation Europe: Early Sixteenth-Century Interpretations of Jude 9 and Jude 14–15 (2013)
[4] supported
Tertullian supported his view of Enoch's sacredness by appealing to the testimony of the Apostle Jude.
"These views Tertullian confirms by appealing to the testimony of the Apostle Jude."The book of Enoch the Prophet : $b Translated from an Ethiopic MS. in the Bodleian Library by
[5] supported
Debates over Jude's extra-biblical citations were part of wider Reformation disputes over the authority of Scripture, written and unwritten tradition, the church, and the church fathers.
"it also reflects broader Reformation debates concerning the authority of Scripture, tradition (written and unwritten), the church, and the church fathers."The Book of Enoch and the <i>Ascension of Moses</i> in Reformation Europe: Early Sixteenth-Century Interpretations of Jude 9 and Jude 14–15 (2013)
[6] supported
Tertullian acknowledged that some rejected the Scripture of Enoch because it is not included in the Hebrew Canon.
"whilst admitting that the “Scripture of Enoch” is not received by some because it is not included in the Hebrew Canon"The book of Enoch the Prophet : $b Translated from an Ethiopic MS. in the Bodleian Library by
[7] supported
The sixth-century Codex Claromontanus lists Barnabas between Jude and Revelation, alongside the Shepherd of Hermas, the Acts of Paul and the Apocalypse of Peter.
"In the sixth century, Codex Claromontanus (a list of Old Testament and New Testament books, dating from the third or fourth century) includes the Epistle of Barnabas between Jude and Revelation along with the Shepherd of Hermas , the Acts of Paul and the Apocalypse of Peter ."Epistle of Barnabas
[8] supported
In the Abyssinian Canon, the Book of Enoch stood immediately before the Book of Job, which Bruce said was its proper place.
"another is amongst the Books of Scripture which I brought home, standing immediately before the Book of Job, which is its proper place in the Abyssinian Canon"The book of Enoch the Prophet : $b Translated from an Ethiopic MS. in the Bodleian Library by
[9] documented
The author of the Epistle of Jude cites the seventh generation from Adam, Enoch, as a prophet who foretold the Lord's coming to judge the ungodly.
"Prophetavit autem et de his septimus ab Adam Enoch, dicens: Ecce venit Dominus in sanctis millibus suis facere judicium contra omnes, et arguere omnes impios de omnibus operibus impietatis eorum, quibus impie egerunt, et de omnibus duris, quæ locuti sunt contra Deum peccatores impii."Jude 1:13-18 [Latin Vulgate (Clementine)]
[10] documented
Jude warns that in the last days mockers will come who walk according to their own lusts and are devoid of the Spirit.
"qui dicebant vobis, quoniam in novissimo tempore venient illusores, secundum desideria sua ambulantes in impietatibus. Hi sunt, qui segregant semetipsos, animales, Spiritum non habentes."Jude 1:13-18 [Latin Vulgate (Clementine)]
[11] documented
The Epistle of Jude cites a prophecy attributed to Enoch, the seventh generation from Adam, regarding the Lord's coming with ten thousands of saints to execute judgment.
"And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard [speeches] which ungodly sinners have spoken against him."Jude 1:13-18 [King James Version]
[12] documented
Jude references the archangel Michael disputing with the devil over the body of Moses, a narrative not found in the canonical Old Testament.
"Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee."Jude 1:13-18 [King James Version]
[13] documented
The author of Jude instructs believers to remember the words previously spoken by the apostles of Jesus Christ, establishing a chain of apostolic authority.
"But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts."Jude 1:13-18 [King James Version]