The relationship between the Book of Enoch and the New Testament is one of the most fascinating topics in biblical studies — and one of the most underappreciated. Here are some of the connections that scholars have identified.
1. Jude 14–15 directly quotes 1 Enoch 1:9. This is the clearest connection: a New Testament author explicitly citing the Book of Enoch as prophecy.
2. The "Son of Man" title. Jesus' most frequent self-designation draws on imagery from the Parables of Enoch (1 Enoch 37–71), where the Son of Man is a pre-existent heavenly figure who will judge the nations.
3. The fallen angels in 2 Peter 2:4. "God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness." This references the Enochic tradition of the imprisoned Watchers.
4. The "spirits in prison" in 1 Peter 3:19. Christ preaches to "spirits in prison" — almost certainly a reference to the imprisoned Watchers of Enoch's tradition.
5. "Eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matthew 25:41) echoes Enoch's descriptions of the place prepared for the fallen Watchers and their prince.
6. The throne room imagery in Revelation 4–5 — the throne of fire, the living creatures, the myriads of angels — is drawn from Enoch's heavenly throne room in 1 Enoch 14.
7. "From the foundation of the world" — the Enochic tradition of the Chosen One being designated before creation (1 Enoch 48:3) echoes New Testament language about Christ.
These connections don't prove that Enoch is scripture. But they do prove that understanding Enoch is essential for understanding the New Testament. Our collector's edition is the place to start.