Title

Objects of mercy in Jude: the prophetic background of Jude 22-23

School/Department

Talbot School of Theology

Publication Date

4-2015

Abstract

The traditional understanding of Jude 22-23 is that the author exhorts his audience to extend mercy to members of the community who are wavering in their faith due to the influence of the intruders. This position rests on two primary assertions: first, that διακρινομένους (v. 22) be translated “doubt” and, second, that the three relative pronouns (ους) in w. 22-23 refer to subcategories within Jude’s audience. Both of these assertions have been challenged on grammatical grounds. Building on such evidence, 1 argue that Jude’s “prophetic discourse” follows the traditional model of prophetic condemnation with a final offer of hope and mercy Elements of typical Jewish prophetic literature’s paradigmatic warning, indictment, announcement of judgment, and final extension of mercy surface in Jude. Thus, not only grammatically but also in keeping with his “prophetic discourse,” Jude both announces condemnation and holds out hope of mercy for the intruders.

Keywords

Jude; Bible. Zechariah 1-8;

Publication Title

The Catholic Biblical Quarterly

Volume

77

Issue

2

First Page

322

Last Page

336

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