Fighting Over The Body Of Moses

Q

In Jude chapter 1 verse 9 it says, “Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.”I don’t ever remember anyone fighting over Moses’ body or is there a different meaning all together?

A

This is thought by many scholars to be one of two quotes from extra-Biblical sources in the Book of Jude. In verse 9 he appears to be quoting from an apocryphal book called “The Assumption of Moses” In verses 14-15 it’s from the Book of Enoch.

Paul also used non-Biblical sources, quoting then popular authors Aratus in Acts 17:28, Menander in 1 Cor. 15:33, and Epimenides in Titus 1:12.

These quotes don’t suggest that the sources from which they’re taken are in any way inspired. Paul and Jude simply drew upon well known contemporary literature to them to help make their points. In Jude’s case, it was paying proper respect to celestial beings, regardless of their standing.