Mark 9:38
John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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John's earnest question reveals a subtle but significant misunderstanding: he forbade the man not because the man was against Jesus, but because the man wasn't part of their exclusive group. This highlights a common tendency to equate loyalty to Jesus with loyalty to our own immediate community, rather than recognizing the broader work of God.
Jesus has just spoken about welcoming the humble and those who seem insignificant, like a child, in his name. John, one of his disciples, then brings up a situation where they saw someone casting out demons using Jesus' name but not following their specific group, and they stopped him because he wasn't "with them." This reveals a tension where the disciples are concerned with their own exclusive circle and authority, even while encountering genuine spiritual work being done in Jesus' name by outsiders.
Ever felt like you were the only ones truly 'in' on something important? John and the disciples did too, and it almost made them miss a vital truth.
This passage highlights a common human tendency: to draw lines and create exclusive circles. John's statement, 'we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us,' reveals a discipleship that had become about their group, their authority, and their exclusive access to Jesus' power.
A Zeal Without Knowledge
The disciples' motivation wasn't necessarily malice, but a misguided zeal for Jesus and their own privileged position. They saw someone operating outside their defined group and assumed it was illegitimate. This shows how easily our desire to protect what we believe is 'ours' can blind us to God's broader work.
God's Work, Not Just Ours
Jesus’ response redirects their focus from who was doing the work to whose name it was done in. The power and authority came from Him, not from their affiliation. This challenges us to look beyond our own circles and recognize God's activity wherever His name is honored and His kingdom advanced, even by those not part of our immediate community.
The man was casting out demons, not in his own name, but in Jesus’. What does that tell us about the authority and reach of Jesus?
The core of this encounter is the incredible power associated with Jesus' name. John reports seeing someone 'casting out demons in your name.' This wasn't just a casual mention; it was an appeal to Jesus' authority that yielded real results.
A Name Above All Names
Even though this person wasn't one of the twelve, the name of Jesus carried such weight that it compelled demonic forces to flee. This demonstrates that Jesus' power isn't confined to those who are part of His inner circle or who perfectly adhere to every rule. His name is inherently powerful.
Understand the original words
daimonion · Greek Noun
A spiritual being, an agent of the kingdom of darkness, who opposes God and oppresses humanity; casting them out manifests the authority and power of God's Kingdom.
The disciples' reaction reveals a nascent but strong sense of tribalism, where 'following us' became the primary criterion for legitimacy, a perspective Jesus directly challenges by expanding the definition of who is 'for us'.
c. AD 28
Jesus commissions the Twelve Apostles
Jesus formally sends out the Twelve Apostles, granting them authority to preach, heal, and cast out demons, establishing them as His core representatives.
c. AD 29
Jesus sends out the Seventy-Two
Jesus commissions a larger group of disciples, the seventy-two, also empowering them to cast out demons in His name, broadening the reach of His ministry.
c. AD 30— this verse
Disciples witness unauthorized exorcism
John and other disciples encounter someone performing exorcisms in Jesus' name, but not as part of their specific group, leading to their attempt to stop him.
c. AD 30
Jesus teaches about humility and inclusion
In response to the disciples' dispute about greatness, Jesus emphasizes the importance of welcoming even the smallest believers, directly preceding the incident John reports.
This passage provides a parallel account from Luke's Gospel, where John's concern is phrased as 'because he does not follow *with* us,' highlighting the disciples' initial sense of exclusive ownership of Jesus' ministry.
Numbers 11:26-29Here, Joshua is concerned that Eldad and Medad are prophesying without being with the assembled elders, but Moses wisely states, 'Would that all the LORD's people were prophets!' showing a similar concern for unauthorized spiritual activity that Jesus addresses.
1 Corinthians 12:12-27This passage emphasizes the unity of the body of Christ, explaining that even though there are many parts, they all belong to one body, a principle that underlies Jesus' correction that the individual was part of the larger work, not separate from it.
Philippians 1:15-18Paul rejoices even when some preach Christ out of envy or rivalry, as long as Christ is proclaimed. This echoes Jesus' sentiment that the proclamation of His name, even by those outside their immediate circle, should be a cause for rejoicing, not prohibition.
Acts 19:13-16This account describes the sons of Sceva attempting to cast out demons using Jesus' name, but failing because they lacked genuine faith. It serves as a contrast, showing that while Jesus did not condone all attempts, the man in Mark 9 had a legitimate connection through faith, unlike these later imposters.
bengelMark 9:38: "And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us."
Mark 9:38 . Ἀπεκρίθη , answered ) The connection of the words of John with the preceding words of Jesus is manifold. The power of the name of Christ is asserted in the words of both, Mark 9:37-38 ; Mark 9:41 . The disciples had previously discussed with one another, which among them should be the greater: now they are made to per…
calvinMark 9:38-40: "And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us."
- And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us; and we forbade him, because he followeth him, because he followeth not us. 39. And Jesus said, Forbid him not; for there is no man who, if he has performed a miracle in my name, can easily speak evil of me. 40. For he…
John's earnest question reveals a subtle but significant misunderstanding: he forbade the man not because the man was against Jesus, but because the man wasn't part of their exclusive group. This highlights a common tendency to equate loyalty to Jesus with loyalty to our own immediate community, rather than recognizing the broader work of God.
Jesus has just spoken about welcoming the humble and those who seem insignificant, like a child, in his name. John, one of his disciples, then brings up a situation where they saw someone casting out demons using Jesus' name but not following their specific group, and they stopped him because he wasn't "with them." This reveals a tension where the disciples are concerned with their own exclusive circle and authority, even while encountering genuine spiritual work being done in Jesus' name by outsiders.
Jesus has just spoken about welcoming the humble and those who seem insignificant, like a child, in his name. John, one of his disciples, then brings up a situation where they saw someone casting out demons using Jesus' name but not following their specific group, and they stopped him because he wasn't "with them." This reveals a tension where the disciples are concerned with their own exclusive circle and authority, even while encountering genuine spiritual work being done in Jesus' name by outsiders.
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A Sign of Kingdom Presence
Jesus' response, 'Forbid him not,' implies that this man's actions, done in His name, were actually a positive sign. It showed that the Kingdom of God was extending its influence, and Jesus’ authority was being recognized and utilized, even by those who were not formally following Him. It’s a reminder that God’s work can flourish in unexpected ways and places.
c. AD 30
Jesus teaches about exclusion and tolerance
Jesus explains that those not actively against His followers are essentially for them, a principle he uses to address the disciples' concern about the unauthorized exorcist.
"John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.”" — John's earnest question reveals a subtle but significant misunderstanding: he forbade the man not because the man was against Jesus, but because the man wasn't part of their exclusive group. This…
