Mark 9:38-40
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.” But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. For the one who is not against us is for us.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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John's concern isn't that the man wasn't following Jesus, but that he wasn't following them. This reveals a subtle but significant misunderstanding of discipleship: they saw their own group as the exclusive standard, rather than recognizing that God's power could work through anyone who honored Christ's name, even if they weren't part of their inner circle.
Just moments before this, Jesus had been teaching His disciples about humility, using a child as an example and warning against causing anyone who believed in Him to stumble. John, remembering an incident from their travels, speaks up to show how he and the other disciples were already acting to protect Jesus' honor by stopping someone who was casting out demons in Jesus' name but wasn't part of their immediate group. This reveals a tension where the disciples were concerned about their own exclusive circle, even as Jesus was demonstrating a broader scope of God's work.
John and the other disciples were convinced they had the right to stop someone doing good. Why?
The disciples' immediate reaction to seeing someone casting out demons in Jesus' name was to forbid him, not because he was doing harm, but because he wasn't with them.
Partisanship over Progress
Notice John’s exact words: "because he followeth not us." This reveals a powerful tendency to define the 'in-group' and view anyone outside it with suspicion. It wasn't that the man was acting against Jesus, but against their specific group of followers.
Mistaking Association for Authority
This reveals a common mistake: assuming that only our way of following Jesus is valid. The disciples' zeal for Jesus unfortunately morphed into a zeal for their own exclusivity. They saw the power working, but their primary concern was whether the person was part of their team, rather than if God was being glorified.
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Jesus' response to the disciples' concern is a powerful reminder that God's work isn't limited to our plans or our approved list.
Jesus' teaching here is a profound correction to the disciples' narrow view. He redirects their focus from their own group to God's overarching purposes.
The Name Carries Power
Jesus emphasizes that the name of Christ has inherent power, regardless of who wields it. The fact that the man was casting out demons demonstrates a connection to Jesus' authority, even if he wasn't one of the twelve.
Kingdom Expansion over Organization
Jesus teaches that anyone performing miracles in His name cannot easily speak evil of Him. This suggests that outward actions aligned with God's kingdom should be viewed as positive, even if they come from unexpected sources. He prioritizes the advancement of His kingdom over the exclusive control of His disciples' organization. It's a lesson that God's Spirit moves where He wills, not always where we expect.
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.
dynamis · Greek Noun
Miraculous acts or signs that demonstrate the power of God at work, intended to reveal the presence of the Kingdom of God and authenticate the message or messenger.
kakologeō · Greek Verb
To slander, blaspheme, or speak injurious words against someone, especially used in the Bible regarding speaking against God or His work.
This incident highlights a tension during Jesus' ministry: the struggle between exclusive group loyalty and Jesus' broader mission of God's kingdom, showing how easily disciples could mistake their own perceived authority for God's.
c. AD 27-28
Jesus' Ministry Begins
Jesus begins his public ministry in Galilee, gathering disciples and performing miracles. His fame spreads throughout the region.
c. AD 28
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve
Jesus commissions his twelve closest disciples, sending them out to preach, heal, and cast out demons in his name.
c. AD 28— this verse
Disciples Encounter Unauthorized Exorcist
During a journey, John and the other disciples encounter someone casting out demons in Jesus' name, though he is not part of their immediate group. They attempt to stop him due to his lack of association with them.
c. AD 28
Jesus Teaches About Inclusion
Jesus responds to the disciples' concern by teaching them that those who are not against them are for them, emphasizing that even small acts of kindness in his name have value.
c. AD 28
Jesus' Journey to Jerusalem
Jesus begins his final journey toward Jerusalem, a period marked by teachings on humility, service, and the dangers of causing others to stumble.
This passage presents a very similar account, with Luke recording John's question as 'Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him because he does not follow us.' It highlights the disciples' possessiveness and desire to control who uses Jesus' name and power.
Acts 19:13-16This passage shows the danger of using Jesus' name without proper authority or faith, contrasting with the man in Mark 9. The sons of Sceva attempted to cast out demons using Jesus' name, but only through their own perceived authority, leading to their harm, which underscores the unique situation in Mark 9 where the man *was* effectively using Jesus' name.
1 Corinthians 12:3Paul's teaching here that no one can say 'Jesus is Lord' except by the Holy Spirit, emphasizes that genuine work done in Jesus' name, even by those outside the immediate circle, is ultimately Spirit-led. This provides a theological framework for understanding how someone not 'following us' could still be empowered by the Spirit to cast out demons.
Matthew 12:30Jesus' statement, 'Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters,' is directly echoed in Mark 9:40 ('Whoever is not against us is for us'). This verse reveals Jesus' broader perspective on allegiance, showing that 'not being against' is a form of 'being for,' even if not full discipleship.
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 concern isn't that the man wasn't following Jesus, but that he wasn't following them. This reveals a subtle but significant misunderstanding of discipleship: they saw their own group as the exclusive standard, rather than recognizing that God's power could work through anyone who honored Christ's name, even if they weren't part of their inner circle.
Just moments before this, Jesus had been teaching His disciples about humility, using a child as an example and warning against causing anyone who believed in Him to stumble. John, remembering an incident from their travels, speaks up to show how he and the other disciples were already acting to protect Jesus' honor by stopping someone who was casting out demons in Jesus' name but wasn't part of their immediate group. This reveals a tension where the disciples were concerned about their own exclusive circle, even as Jesus was demonstrating a broader scope of God's work.
Just moments before this, Jesus had been teaching His disciples about humility, using a child as an example and warning against causing anyone who believed in Him to stumble. John, remembering an incident from their travels, speaks up to show how he and the other disciples were already acting to protect Jesus' honor by stopping someone who was casting out demons in Jesus' name but wasn't part of their immediate group. This reveals a tension where the disciples were concerned about their own exclusive circle, even as Jesus was demonstrating a broader scope of God's work.
"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.” But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterw…" — John's concern isn't that the man wasn't following Jesus, but that he wasn't following them. This reveals a subtle but significant misunderstanding of discipleship: they saw their own group as the…
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