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The epistle is listed in the [[Muratorian fragment]] (c. AD 175), was known to [[Tertullian]], and [[Clement of Alexandria]] uses proof texts from it. [[Origen]] spoke of it as "short indeed but filled with words that have been strengthened with heavenly grace." The assembly in [[Smyrna]] quotes from it in another letter written c. 155.
The epistle is listed in the [[Muratorian fragment]] (c. AD 175), was known to [[Tertullian]], and [[Clement of Alexandria]] uses proof texts from it. [[Origen]] spoke of it as "short indeed but filled with words that have been strengthened with heavenly grace." The assembly in [[Smyrna]] quotes from it in another letter written c. 155.
"The place of writing and the destination are alike unknown. The date of writing, assigned by the scholars, is between 67 and 80 AD. Peter's second epistle was written 67 - 68 AD and it may well have been that on receipt of that letter Jude wrote to those believers with whom he had a close connection and interest. The difference between the Epistle of Jude and the [[Second Epistle of Peter]] is that Peter speaks of sin whereas Jude of apostasy. Peter predicts that false teachers ''would'' arise and Jude states that they ''had'' come in."<ref>Cross, Edwin N. op cit</ref> Camerlynck, writing in The Catholic Encyclopedia, asserts: "Jude seems... to have been written before A.D. 70; otherwise in vv. 5-7 he would have spoken of the destruction of Jerusalem. In those verses St. Jude mentions the different punishments of prevaricators, and therefore in this exhortation to Hebrew Christians he could not have passed over in silence so dire a calamity. Moreover [textual evidence demonstrates] that the Epistle of St. Jude was written before II Peter, which latter was probably written A.D. 64. Therefore St. Jude must have been written shortly before 64... We prefer the opinion that the Epistle was written in [[Palestine]], and probably in Jerusalem."<ref>"Date and place of composition" [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08542b.htm ''Epistle of St. Jude''] Catholic Encyclopedia. Accessed 16 March 2008</ref>
"The place of writing and the destination are alike unknown. The date of writing, assigned by the scholars, is between 67 and 80 AD. Peter's second epistle was written 67 - 68 AD and it may well have been that on receipt of that letter Jude wrote to those believers with whom he had a close connection and interest. The difference between the Epistle of Jude and the [[Second Epistle of Peter]] is that Peter speaks of sin whereas Jude of apostasy. Peter predicts that false teachers ''would'' arise and Jude states that they ''had'' come in."<ref>Cross, Edwin N. op cit</ref> Camerlynck, writing in The Catholic Encyclopedia, asserts: "Jude seems... to have been written before A.D. 70; otherwise in vv. 5-7 he would have spoken of the destruction of Jerusalem. In those verses St. Jude mentions the different punishments of prevaricators, and therefore in this exhortation to Hebrew Christians he could not have passed over in silence so dire a calamity. Moreover [textual evidence demonstrates] that the Epistle of St. Jude was written before II Peter, which latter was probably written A.D. 64. Therefore St. Jude must have been written shortly before 64... We prefer the opinion that the Epistle was written in [[Palestine]], and probably in Jerusalem."<ref>"Date and place of composition" [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08542b.htm ''Epistle of St. Jude''] Catholic Encyclopedia. Accessed 16 March 2008</ref> Koester, however, contends that [[Syria]] is the most likely place in which it was written.<ref>Koester, Helmut ''Introduction to the New Testament'' (Walter de Gruyter & Co; 1995) ISBN 3-1101-4692-4</ref>
==To whom addressed==
To whom the Epistle was originally addressed is not stated. It has been surmised that Jude addressed originally Jewish believers, as he mentions, prominently, Old Testament facts, besides some Jewish traditional matters."<ref>Gaebelein, Arno Clement [http://www.biblecentre.org/commentaries/acg_69_jude.htm ''The Epistle of Jude''] Biblecenter. Accessed 16 March 2008</ref>
==Structure and content==
It is apparent that Jude intended to write a different letter, "about the salvation we enjoy in Jesus"; but the reports he had received regarding the doctrinal errors and immorality in the church/churches he was writing to caused him instead to address these. The first half of the epistle deals with the corruption that has entered the churches, and the second half explains how to act against it. "Jude points out the fearful consequences of such disbelief and disobedience. These Docetic dreamers indulge their animal passions regardless of the divine commands, which they explain away. Arrogance, hatred, venality, and insubordination mark them. At Christian suppers they carouse in cliques, regardless of others. They are rainless clouds, fruitless trees, barren waves, darkened stars. They are the godless rebels whom Enoch foretold, passion—driven, arrogant, mercenary. Christian believers must be on their guard against these unspiritual and animal schismatics. They must build themselves up on the foundation of their most holy faith, pray in the holy Spirit, and keep in the love of God. Some of the schismatics they may still save, but some of them they can only fear and pity."<ref>Mayor, J. B. ''The Epistle of St. Jude and the Second Epistle of St. Peter'' (Minneapolis; Klock and Klock; 1978)</ref>
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