Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. Jude's third example of judgment is Sodom and Gomorrah. "In like manner" (Greek ton homoion tropon toutois, τὸν ὅμοιον τρόπον τούτοις) connects this example to the fallen angels—both involved sexual immorality and boundary violation. "Giving themselves over to fornication" (Greek ekporneusasai, ἐκπορνεύσασαι) uses an intensive compound: complete, shameless sexual immorality.
"Going after strange flesh" (Greek apelthousai opisō sarkos heteras, ἀπελθοῦσαι ὀπίσω σαρκὸς ἑτέρας) literally means pursuing "different/other flesh." This refers to the homosexual attempts to assault angels in Genesis 19:4-11. The phrase indicates transgressing natural boundaries God established—seeking sexual relations outside the male-female marital covenant. The cities' judgment wasn't merely for general wickedness but specifically for flagrant sexual immorality that violated created order.
They "are set forth for an example" (Greek prokeintai deigma, πρόκεινται δεῖγμα)—displayed as a warning specimen, exhibited as illustration. Their destruction "suffering the vengeance of eternal fire" (Greek pyros aiōniou dikēn hypechousai, πυρὸς αἰωνίου δίκην ὑπέχουσαι) serves as visual demonstration of God's final judgment. The temporal fire that consumed those cities (Genesis 19:24-25) illustrates the eternal fire awaiting all who persist in rebellion. The present tense "suffering" suggests ongoing example—the ruins testified to divine judgment.
Historical Context
Sodom and Gomorrah became proverbial in Scripture for flagrant wickedness and divine judgment (Isaiah 1:9, 3:9; Jeremiah 23:14; Ezekiel 16:49-50; Matthew 10:15; 2 Peter 2:6). Genesis 18-19 records their destruction for extreme depravity. Ezekiel 16:49-50 identifies their sins as pride, plenty, and neglect of the poor, climaxing in "abominable things." The Genesis account emphasizes sexual perversion—the men of Sodom seeking to gang-rape Lot's angelic visitors.
Archaeological evidence suggests the Dead Sea region experienced catastrophic destruction around 2000 BC, possibly through earthquake and volcanic activity igniting bitumen deposits. Whatever the mechanism, Scripture attributes the destruction to direct divine judgment. The cities' ruins remained visible in Jude's time as testimony to God's wrath against sin.
First-century readers understood this reference clearly. Both Jewish and Greco-Roman cultures recognized Sodom as epitomizing sexual depravity and divine judgment. Josephus and other ancient historians referenced Sodom's destruction. Early Christians saw parallels between Sodom's sexual immorality and Greco-Roman culture's acceptance of homosexuality, temple prostitution, and other practices contradicting biblical sexual ethics.
Questions for Reflection
How does Sodom's judgment warn against sexual immorality and transgressing God's created boundaries?
What does 'eternal fire' teach about the seriousness of sin and the reality of final judgment?
How can churches maintain biblical sexual ethics with both truth and compassion in contemporary culture?
Analysis & Commentary
Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. Jude's third example of judgment is Sodom and Gomorrah. "In like manner" (Greek ton homoion tropon toutois, τὸν ὅμοιον τρόπον τούτοις) connects this example to the fallen angels—both involved sexual immorality and boundary violation. "Giving themselves over to fornication" (Greek ekporneusasai, ἐκπορνεύσασαι) uses an intensive compound: complete, shameless sexual immorality.
"Going after strange flesh" (Greek apelthousai opisō sarkos heteras, ἀπελθοῦσαι ὀπίσω σαρκὸς ἑτέρας) literally means pursuing "different/other flesh." This refers to the homosexual attempts to assault angels in Genesis 19:4-11. The phrase indicates transgressing natural boundaries God established—seeking sexual relations outside the male-female marital covenant. The cities' judgment wasn't merely for general wickedness but specifically for flagrant sexual immorality that violated created order.
They "are set forth for an example" (Greek prokeintai deigma, πρόκεινται δεῖγμα)—displayed as a warning specimen, exhibited as illustration. Their destruction "suffering the vengeance of eternal fire" (Greek pyros aiōniou dikēn hypechousai, πυρὸς αἰωνίου δίκην ὑπέχουσαι) serves as visual demonstration of God's final judgment. The temporal fire that consumed those cities (Genesis 19:24-25) illustrates the eternal fire awaiting all who persist in rebellion. The present tense "suffering" suggests ongoing example—the ruins testified to divine judgment.