Jude 1:9
What does Jude 1:9 mean?
A plain-English look at Jude 1:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Jude 1:9 means
Jude recalls a dispute between Michael the archangel and the devil over the body of Moses. Even Michael, a mighty angel, did not presume to issue a railing judgment. Instead, he said, "The Lord rebuke thee." This models reverent restraint and dependence on God’s authority in spiritual conflict. If an archangel refused to revile and left judgment to the Lord, how much more should humans avoid arrogant, slanderous speech about powers they do not comprehend. Jude’s point is not to satisfy curiosity but to expose the brazen irreverence of the intruders, whose words outstrip their understanding and reveal a heart unbowed before God.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing judgment, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Yet 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing judgment, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Now when Michael, one of the chief angels, was fighting against the Evil One for the body of Moses, fearing to make use of violent words against him, he only said, May the Lord be your judge.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862yet Michael, the chief messenger, when, with the devil contending, he was disputing about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring up an evil-speaking judgment, but said, `The Lord rebuke thee!'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752When Michael the archangel, disputing with the devil, contended about the body of Moses, he durst not bring against him the judgment of railing speech, but said: The Lord command thee.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But Michael the archangel, when disputing with the devil he reasoned about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a railing judgment against [him], but said, [The] Lord rebuke thee.
Context
This example directly contrasts the behavior of holy angels with the false teachers’ blasphemies in verse 8. It provides a pattern of humility and deference to God’s judgment. Verse 10 will immediately indict the intruders for railing at what they do not know and for living by base instincts that lead to destruction. The flow highlights that the problem is not merely doctrinal error but also a posture of proud self-assertion in matters above one’s station, which signals profound spiritual disorder.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 23:39
And one of the malefactors that were hanged railed on him, saying, Art not thou the Christ? save thyself and us.
- Zechariah 3:2
And Jehovah said unto Satan, Jehovah rebuke thee, O Satan; yea, Jehovah that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?
- Isaiah 36:13
Then Rabshakeh stood, and cried with a loud voice in the Jews’ language, and said, Hear ye the words of the great king, the king of Assyria.
- Daniel 10:13
But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days; but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me: and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
- Revelation 12:7
And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angelsgoing forthto war with the dragon; and the dragon warred and his angels;
- Daniel 10:21
But I will tell thee that which is inscribed in the writing of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me against these, but Michael your prince.
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