Jude 1:9 (DRB)

Passage

When 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.

Nearby Context

Jude 1:7 As Sodom and Gomorrha and the neighbouring cities, in like manner, having given themselves to fornication and going after other flesh, were made an example, suffering the punishment of eternal fire.

Jude 1:8 In like manner, these men also defile the flesh and despise dominion and blaspheme majesty.

Jude 1:9 When 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.

Jude 1:10 But these men blaspheme whatever things they know not: and what things soever they naturally know, like dumb beasts, in these they are corrupted.

Jude 1:11 Woe unto them! For they have gone in the way of Cain: and after the error of Balaam they have for reward poured out themselves and have perished in the contradiction of Core.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "michael", "archangel", "disputing", "devil", "contended", "body", "moses", and "durst". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "michael" and "archangel", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 8's "In like manner these men also defile..." into verse 10's "But these men blaspheme whatever things they...", so "michael" and "archangel" belong inside that flow. In Jude context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "michael" and "archangel" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.