But
Jesus said, “Don’t forbid him, for there is no one who will do a mighty work in my name, and be able quickly to speak evil of me. For whoever is not against us is on our side. For whoever will give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because you are Christ’s, most certainly I tell you, he will in no way lose his reward.
Mark 9:39-41
Mark 9 [38.] John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone who doesn’t follow us casting out demons in your name; and we forbade him, because he doesn’t follow us.”
Mark 9 [39.] But Jesus said, “Don’t forbid him, for there is no one who will do a mighty work in my name, and be able quickly to speak evil of me. For whoever is not against us is on our side. For whoever will give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because you are Christ’s, most certainly I tell you, he will in no way lose his reward. Whoever will cause one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him if he were thrown into the sea with a millstone hung around his neck. If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having your two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire, ‘where their worm doesn’t die, and the fire is not quenched.’
Mark 9 [45.] If your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life lame, rather than having your two feet to be cast into Gehenna, into the fire that will never be quenched— ‘where their worm doesn’t die, and the fire is not quenched.’ If your eye causes you to stumble, cast it out. It is better for you to enter into God’s Kingdom with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into the Gehenna of fire, ‘where their worm doesn’t die, and the fire is not quenched.’ For everyone will be salted with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt. Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, with what will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”
Meaning:
John had told Jesus that the disciples had stopped a man who was casting out demons in Jesus’ name, “because he doesn’t follow us” (Mark 9:38). Jesus’ reply corrects their narrow, possessive attitude. He gives two reasons not to forbid the man, and then widens the picture to include even the smallest act of kindness done for his sake.
- “Don’t forbid him”
Jesus’ answer echoes Moses, who refused Joshua’s request to silence Eldad and Medad and said, “Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all Yahweh’s people were prophets” (Numbers 11:26-29). God’s work is not the private property of any group. The disciples were concerned about who followed “us”; Jesus is concerned about who is doing good in his name.
- “No one who will do a mighty work in my name … quickly to speak evil of me”
A person who calls on Jesus’ name and sees God’s power at work is not likely to turn around and curse Jesus. Doing good in Jesus’ name already shows a measure of respect and faith. Paul states a similar principle: “No one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ but by the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:3).
- “For whoever is not against us is on our side”
This saying is generous. Elsewhere Jesus said, “He that is not with me is against me” (Luke 11:23). The two sayings do not contradict each other. When it comes to a person’s own relationship with Jesus, there is no neutral ground: each must decide for him or against him. But when it comes to judging others who honour Jesus in ways we do not, we should be generous and assume they are on our side unless they show otherwise.
- “Whoever will give you a cup of water to drink in my name”
Jesus then turns the disciples’ attention to the smallest kindness. In a hot, dry land, a cup of water was the most basic hospitality. Anyone who gives even that to Jesus’ followers “because you are Christ’s” will not lose his reward. God notices and honours every act of love done for Jesus’ sake, however small. “For God is not unrighteous, so as to forget your work and the labor of love which you showed toward his name” (Hebrews 6:10). The disciples, who had been arguing about greatness, are reminded that greatness in the Kingdom is measured by small acts of love (Mark 9:36-37).
The Significance of Mark 9:39-41
- Generosity toward other believers
Christians belong to many churches and traditions. Jesus calls his followers to rejoice in every genuine work done in his name, rather than to compete or forbid. Unity in Christ is bigger than our own group.
- Small kindnesses matter
No act of love for Jesus’ sake is too small to count. A cup of water, a meal, a visit or a kind word given to one of his people is remembered by God. Jesus taught that what is done for the least of his brothers is done for him (Matthew 25:40).
Cross-References:
Numbers 11:29: "Moses said to him, “Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all Yahweh’s people were prophets, that Yahweh would put his Spirit on them!”" Moses also refused to forbid those God was using.
Luke 11:23: "He that is not with me is against me. He who doesn’t gather with me scatters." The complementary saying about personal decision for Jesus.
Hebrews 6:10: "For God is not unrighteous, so as to forget your work and the labor of love which you showed toward his name, in that you served the saints, and still do serve them." God remembers every act of service to his people.
1 Corinthians 12:3: "No one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” but by the Holy Spirit." Honouring Jesus’ name is a sign of God’s work.
Conclusion: Jesus told his disciples not to forbid the man who was casting out demons in his name, because no one who does mighty works in his name will quickly speak evil of him, and whoever is not against us is on our side. He added that even a cup of water given to his followers for his sake will not lose its reward. The passage calls believers to be generous toward all who honour Jesus and assures them that God values every act of love done in his name.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible