Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Peter 2:17

17 These are wells without water , clouds that are carried with a tempest , to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.

He compares Seducers, 1. to Wells without Water: because as a Well invites, a Traveller to it in hope of quenching his Thirst, but being without Water, mocks his Expectation; so false Teachers making a shew of true Wisdom, and saving Knowledg, draw Men to them, but being destitute of it, delude them, and make them no wiser than they were.

2. To Clouds, &c. because as Clouds many times promising Rain and Refreshment, either are scattered by the Wind, or break out into a Tempest; so these when they promise to refresh their Hearers Souls with the Truth of God, being themselves destitute of it, do them no good, or with their pernicious Errors, or corrupt Manners, do them much harm. By this Comparison he sets forth, 1. their Inconstancy, that like Clouds driven with the Wind, they are tossed to and fro, from one Doctrine to another, Ephes. 4.14. And, 2. their Deceitfulness, that they make a shew of what they have not, as Clouds do of Rain, when yet they are scattered, without yielding any.

I. e. The darkest Darkness, called utter Darkness, Matth. 8.12. and 22.13 and 25.30. by which the Torments of Hell are sometimes set forth, as well as sometimes by Fire.

Marginal references: Jude 12.13.