Why did Michael and Satan dispute over the body of Moses in Jude 1:9?

what does the bible say?

Only the book of Jude records the account of Michael and Satan disputing over the body of Moses. The account likely came from the extra-biblical work Ascension of Moses. That writing was not inspired, but because Jude used it, we can be certain that the part he recorded is true. Just like we don’t know the source of the story, we also don’t know why the dispute happened. Since Jude left that part out, we can only speculate. The Ascension of Moses implies that Satan was accusing Moses of sin, not worthy of either burial or resurrection, and that may have been the reason. Rather than speculate, we should focus on why Jude included the account. He was contending against false teachers who were, in some manner, trying to control or curse (“revile”) “angelic majesties” (1:8). Jude used this account to show that one of the greatest angels with insight into the spiritual realm didn’t even do that, leaving Satan’s judgement up to God.

from the old testament

• The Old Testament doesn’t discuss the dispute over the body of Moses between Michael and Satan. In fact, Moses’ death is, itself, mysterious; we do not know how he died, just that God buried him and no one knows exactly where to this day (Deuteronomy 34:6).
• One plausible reason for the mystery about Moses’ burial place may have been to keep people from worshiping his grave (for example, see 2 Kings 18:4). Perhaps Satan wanted the body of Moses to be available to the people to tempt them into false worship. No proof for this exists in the text of Scripture but is at least plausible according to Jude’s account.

from the new testament

• Jude 1:9 indicates, “Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, ‘The Lord rebuke you!’”
• Jude was talking about false teachers, “ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ” (Jude 1:4). He was contrasting the behavior of the false teachers to the great angel, Michael. Unlike Michael, false teachers “revile the things which they do not understand; and the things which they know by instinct, like unreasoning animals, by these things they are destroyed” (Jude 1:10). Jude was warning his readers to run away from those men who claimed to be doing spiritual battle against evil but who were, in fact, foolish.

implications for today

False teachers in Jude’s time had stealthily crept into the church (Jude 1:4b), teaching that God’s grace meant people could sin as much as they wanted (Jude 1:4b) and denying the reality of Jesus (Jude 1:4c). Those false teachers apparently were also claiming to do some form of spiritual battle. Jude used the account of Michael and Satan to illustrate how even one of the greatest angels did not curse Satan, and that, therefore, the false teachers were like dumb animals (Jude 1:10). Today, the church is filled with false teachers. Some, like those in Jude’s day, have made a name for themselves by claiming to bind Satan and his demons. Other teachers are overtly engaged in sinful practices by presuming on God’s grace. They focus on material wealth, being accepted by the world, and some are even openly engaged in premarital sexual relationships. In each case, they are teaching others to do the same. Therefore, Jude’s warning from the first century is just as relevant today, as are his commands on how to not become deceived. First, we are to continue to build ourselves up by reading Scripture (Jude 1:20a), keeping in prayer (Jude 1:20b), obeying God (Jude 1:21a), and waiting for Jesus’ return (Jude 1:21b). This is so that we can tell the difference between true and false teachers. Second, we need to have mercy on those being deceived by the false teachers, “snatching them out of the fire” (Jude 1:22–23a). While false teachers were “long beforeh and marked out for this condemnation” (Jude 1:4), there is still hope that people listening to them can be saved. Third, even as we try to rescue some, we are to keep a wide berth from the false teachers and to be very careful with those who have been deceived to keep from becoming polluted, ourselves (Jude 1:23b).

Recap

understand

• Jude 1:9 confirms a real dispute over Moses’ body, though the reason is not revealed in Scripture.
• Michael’s respectful restraint contrasts with the arrogance of false teachers.
• The passage of Michael and Satan’s dispute over Moses’ body warns us to stay humble, obedient, and grounded in God’s truth.

reflect

• When have you been tempted to speak boldly against spiritual evil without seeking God’s wisdom or authority?
• How does Michael’s example of restraint challenge the way you respond to situations where truth and deception are at odds?
• How are you building yourself up in faith, prayer, obedience, and hope as Jude commands—especially when facing spiritual confusion or false teaching?

engage

• What can Michael’s deference to God’s authority teach us about how to engage with spiritual warfare today?
• Why are false teachers so effective at gaining followers, and how can we help each other stay rooted in truth?
• How do we as believers need to be more alert to the dangers of false teaching—especially when it disguises itself as spiritual zeal?