Bible Strands
Jude 1:9
But even the archangel Michael, when he disputed with the devil over the body of Moses, did not presume to bring a slanderous charge against him, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jude addresses early Christians to warn them against false teachers who defile their bodies, reject authority, and slander glorious beings. He invokes the historical moment when Michael contested the devil over Moses’ corpse to model proper conduct.
The words — The Greek term ἀρχάγγελος (archangelos) literally means "chief angel," designating Michael’s rank. The word διαβόλῳ (diabolō) translates directly to "slanderer" or "accuser," defining the adversary’s function in the dispute.
The thread — The rebuke “The Lord rebuke you” directly echoes Zechariah 3:2, where Yahweh commands Satan to be silenced. Jude’s warning about slanderous charges aligns with 2 Peter 2:11’s note that angels do not bring such accusations before God, while the buried body reference points to Deuteronomy 34:6.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to withhold presumptuous condemnation of spiritual authorities, even when confronting evil. It directs believers to leave judgment to God’s direct rebuke rather than issuing their own slanderous accusations.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
Cross-references
- Zechariah 3:2 And the LORD said to Satan: “The LORD rebukes you, Satan! Indeed, the LORD, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebukes you! Is not this man a firebrand snatched from the fire?”
- 2 Peter 2:11 Yet not even angels, though greater in strength and power, dare to bring such slanderous charges against them before the Lord.
- Deuteronomy 34:6 And He buried him in a valley in the land of Moab facing Beth-peor, and no one to this day knows the location of his grave.
- Daniel 12:1 “At that time Michael, the great prince who stands watch over your people, will rise up. There will be a time of distress, the likes of which will not have occurred from the beginning of nations until that time. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered.
- Revelation 12:7 Then a war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back.
- Daniel 10:21 But first I will tell you what is inscribed in the Book of Truth. Yet no one has the courage to support me against these, except Michael your prince.
- Daniel 10:13 However, the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will be the first to rise.
- 1 Peter 3:9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
- Luke 23:39 One of the criminals who hung there heaped abuse on Him. “Are You not the Christ?” he said. “Save Yourself and us!”