Jude 1:6

And the angels who did not stay within their own domain but abandoned their proper dwelling—these He has kept in eternal chains under darkness, bound for judgment on that great day.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Jude addresses his readers as he transitions from recalling Israel’s wilderness judgment to warning them about divine retribution against rebellious spiritual beings. He writes during a moment of urgent instruction to prepare them for the threat of false teachers and impending judgment.

The words — The Greek ἀρχὴν (archēn) denotes the original domain or sphere of authority the angels occupied, while τηρήσαντας (tērēsantas) describes the active state of being kept or confined. These terms emphasize both the loss of their assigned place and the deliberate, ongoing restraint imposed by God.

The thread — The text states that God has confined rebellious angels in darkness until a final judgment, which directly parallels the warning in 2 Peter 2:4 about sinning angels cast into chains of darkness. This confinement anticipates the eternal fire prepared in Matthew 25:41 and aligns with the spiritual conflict against authorities described in Ephesians 6:12.

Why it lands — The passage declares that God actively restrains fallen angels until a great day of judgment, requiring readers to recognize divine sovereignty over spiritual rebellion. It demands sober attention to the certainty of coming judgment rather than offering comfort or speculation.

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

King James Version

And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

Cross-references

2 Peter 2:4 For if God did not spare the angels when they sinned, but cast them deep into hell, placing them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment;
Matthew 25:41 Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Matthew 8:29 “What do You want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have You come here to torture us before the appointed time?”
2 Peter 2:9 if all this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.
Hebrews 10:27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume all adversaries.
Revelation 20:10 And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, into which the beast and the false prophet had already been thrown. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
John 8:44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.