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Answer
Scripture is full of metaphors, allegories, and other figures of speech. For example, in Jude 1:12, the writer uses the phrase “clouds without water” to depict false teachers who do not fulfill their promises. To grasp the meaning of this expression, let’s examine the context of Jude 1:12.
Jude, the brother of James and the half-brother of Jesus (see Matthew 13:55;Mark 6:3), discusses the prevalence of false teachers and the resulting emergence of apostates. Apostasy is defined as “the abandonment or renunciation of a religious or political belief.” It appears that many believers had forsaken the truth of the gospel to adopt the falsehoods spread by false teachers. Therefore, Jude encourages believers to defend the faith (Jude 1:3-4).
In Jude 1:11, the writer likens false teachers to Cain (Genesis 4:5-8), Balaam (Numbers 22:5-7;2 Peter 2:15), and Korah (Numbers 16:1-3, 31-35). In other words, false teachers exhibit Cain’s hatred and jealousy, Balaam’s greed for personal gain, and Korah’s rebellious nature. These traits are contrary to the gospel.
Furthermore, Jude describes false teachers as “hidden reefs at your love feasts” «These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; », (Jude 1:12). In the early…In the early church, love feasts were communal meals shared among Christians. The main purpose of these meals was for fostering fellowship (Acts 2:46-47; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34). Regrettably, false teachers had infiltrated these love feasts and lurked unnoticed, resembling hidden reefs, prepared to shipwreck souls unexpectedly. This situation brings to mind Judas, who partook in a meal with the Lord and His disciples, despite having already decided to betray Christ (John 13:2, 21-30). Although the disciples were unaware of who would betray the Lord, Jesus was not caught off guard by Judas’ treacherous conduct.
These self-indulgent teachers “feast with [us] without fear” (Jude 1:12). They pretend to be “shepherds” but only feed themselves. This mirrors Jesus’ description of false shepherds in John 10:12–13: “He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.” In contrast, Jesus is the good shepherd who sacrifices His life for the sheep (John 10:11, 14-15).
False teachers can also be compared to “waterless clouds” (Jude 1:12).(Jude 1:12) and “waterless springs” «These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. », (2 Peter 2:17). In essence, they are unable to fulfill their promises. When we observe a sky filled with clouds hinting at a refreshing rain, we anticipate some moisture. If the clouds drift away without even a sprinkle, we feel let down. The deceitful instructors resemble those waterless clouds. They speak convincingly, but there is no substance to support their words. They pledge spiritual rejuvenation, yet none materializes. They flaunt their knowledge and talents, yet no one benefits. The age-old wisdom applies to them: “Like clouds and wind without rain is one who boasts of gifts never given” «Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift Is like clouds and wind without rain. », (Proverbs 25:14).
When individuals place their hope in “waterless clouds,” they will remain in their arid and parched state. If they consume the “water” offered by the false teachers, they “will be thirsty again” «Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: », (John 4:13). Only Jesus can provide thirst-quenching, soul-satisfying water leading to eternal life «but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. », (John 4:14). Only He bestows the showers of blessing we require.
Because false teachers are cut off from the genuine source of life, they are like “fruitless
Trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted” «These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; », (Jude 1:12). Conversely, genuine believers produce fruit that leads to righteousness and eternal life (Galatians 5:22-23).
So, how do we spot false teachers? We look at the fruit they produce (or fail to produce). We look at the clouds and the rain they give (or fail to give). That tells us everything we need to know about them (Matthew 7:15-20).
