Jude 1:18

when they said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow after their own ungodly desires.”

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Jude addresses the "beloved" (v.17), reminding them of a warning the apostles had already delivered to them. He is quoting a past teaching they once received, not issuing a new one.

The words — ἐσχάτου (eschatou), "last," anchors the phrase ἐπ᾽ ἐσχάτου τοῦ χρόνου, "in the last of time," the same root that gives us "eschatology."

The thread — 2 Peter 3:3 is the closest parallel: "in the last days scoffers will come, following their own evil desires." 2 Timothy 3:1 and 4:3 extend the pattern to a general decline in the "last days."

Why it lands — The scoffers are not an anomaly but a foretold event; recognition, not surprise, is the expected response. The reader is asked to match what they see against what was already said.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

ὅτιhotifor ἔλεγονelegonthey were saying ὑμῖνhuminto you ὅτιhotithat ἐπ᾽ep᾽on ἐσχάτουeschatou[this] last τοῦtou<the>χρόνουchronoutime ἔσονταιesontaithere will be ἐμπαῖκταιempaiktaiscoffers κατὰkataafter τὰςtas<the>ἑαυτῶνhe'autōntheir own ἐπιθυμίαςepithumiaspassions πορευόμενοιporeuomenoifollowing τῶνtōn<the>ἀσεβειῶν.asebeiōnof ungodlinesses.

King James Version

How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.

Cross-references

2 Peter 3:3 Most importantly, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.
2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires.
2 Timothy 3:1 But understand this: In the last days terrible times will come.
2 Timothy 3:13 while evil men and imposters go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons,
2 Peter 2:1 Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.
Psalms 14:1 For the choirmaster. Of David. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt; their acts are vile. There is no one who does good.
Acts 20:29 I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.
Jude 1:16 These men are discontented grumblers, following after their own lusts; their mouths spew arrogance; they flatter others for their own advantage.