The disciples' immediate instinct was to protect their exclusive club, saying "we forbade him, because he was not following us." It’s easy to miss how this reveals a subtle yet powerful kind of spiritual pride, where belonging to their group became the measure of spiritual legitimacy, not the power of Christ's name itself.
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. For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just been teaching his disciples about humility and welcoming the vulnerable, contrasting their recent argument about who was the greatest with his call to serve. In response, John recounts an incident where he and the other disciples stopped someone from casting out demons in Jesus' name, not because the person was doing harm, but simply because they weren't part of their inner circle.
Ever felt that urge to guard the 'in-crowd' and push others away? John's question reveals a surprisingly common human tendency, even among Jesus' closest followers.
Guarding the Exclusive Club
John, speaking for himself and the other disciples, confesses to Jesus that they stopped someone from casting out demons. Their reasoning? "...because he was not following us."
Even though the disciples were wrong to stop him, the man was successfully casting out demons. What does this tell us about the authority behind Jesus' name?
Authority Beyond the Circle
Despite the disciples' misguided attempt to limit who could use Jesus' power, the core truth remains: the man was indeed casting out demons in Jesus' name.
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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.
Christos · Greek Noun
A title for the Messiah, meaning 'Anointed One,' referring to Jesus' role as the divinely appointed King, Priest, and Prophet of God's people.
misthos · Greek Noun
A positive consequence or payment given by God in response to a person's faith-based actions, recognizing their service and faithfulness to Him.
This incident highlights a crucial moment during Jesus' ministry when His growing influence led to encounters with individuals outside His immediate circle, revealing both the power of His name and the disciples' struggles with exclusivity and partisanship.
c. AD 27-30— this verse
Jesus' Ministry and Discipleship
Jesus begins his public ministry, gathering followers and performing miracles, which attracts a wide range of people and reactions.
c. AD 28-30
Jesus Sends Out the Seventy
Jesus commissions a larger group of followers, the seventy, to go ahead of him, heal the sick, and proclaim the coming of the kingdom.
c. AD 30
Journey Towards Jerusalem
Jesus and his disciples are on a journey towards Jerusalem, a time marked by both teaching and challenging interactions.
This passage recounts the same incident from a slightly different perspective, emphasizing the disciples' possessiveness ('he followeth not *with us*') and Jesus' corrective teaching on not hindering those who do good in His name.
Acts 19:13-16This story contrasts with John's situation, showing a negative outcome when people tried to exercise spiritual power without genuine faith in Christ, highlighting the importance of His name and authority.
Matthew 12:27Jesus here challenges the Pharisees about casting out demons, pointing out their hypocrisy and implying that if their own sons can do it, then those who perform such acts in Jesus' name should not be stopped.
1 Corinthians 12:29-30This passage discusses the diversity of spiritual gifts within the body of Christ, cautioning against assuming that everyone who possesses a certain gift must be part of the same specific group or follow the same exact path.
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…
The disciples' immediate instinct was to protect their exclusive club, saying "we forbade him, because he was not following us." It’s easy to miss how this reveals a subtle yet powerful kind of spiritual pride, where belonging to their group became the measure of spiritual legitimacy, not the power of Christ's name itself.
Jesus has just been teaching his disciples about humility and welcoming the vulnerable, contrasting their recent argument about who was the greatest with his call to serve. In response, John recounts an incident where he and the other disciples stopped someone from casting out demons in Jesus' name, not because the person was doing harm, but simply because they weren't part of their inner circle.
Jesus has just been teaching his disciples about humility and welcoming the vulnerable, contrasting their recent argument about who was the greatest with his call to serve. In response, John recounts an incident where he and the other disciples stopped someone from casting out demons in Jesus' name, not because the person was doing harm, but simply because they weren't part of their inner circle.
"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…" — The disciples' immediate instinct was to protect their exclusive club, saying "we forbade him, because he was not following us." It’s easy to miss how this reveals a subtle yet powerful kind of spiri…
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Last reviewed October 2026
