Mark 9:38
John said to Him, "Teacher, we saw someone else driving out demons in Your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not accompany us."
John said to Him
The mention of "John" here refers to John the Apostle, one of Jesus' closest disciples. The Greek name "Ἰωάννης" (Iōannēs) is derived from the Hebrew "Yohanan," meaning "Yahweh is gracious." This introduction sets the stage for a personal and direct interaction with Jesus, highlighting the close relationship and the trust John had in approaching Jesus with concerns. Historically, John is known for his deep spiritual insights and his role in the early church, which adds weight to his observations and questions.

Teacher
The term "Teacher" is translated from the Greek "Διδάσκαλε" (Didaskale), a title of respect and recognition of authority. In the Jewish context, a teacher or rabbi was someone who imparted wisdom and understanding of the Scriptures. By addressing Jesus as "Teacher," John acknowledges His authority and the respect the disciples have for His teachings. This reflects the disciples' recognition of Jesus' role as a spiritual leader and guide.

we saw someone else
The phrase "we saw someone else" indicates an observation made by the disciples. The Greek word for "saw" is "εἴδομεν" (eidomen), which implies a careful observation or witnessing. This suggests that the disciples were attentive to the activities around them, particularly those related to the ministry of Jesus. The mention of "someone else" highlights the exclusivity the disciples felt regarding their group and their mission.

driving out demons
The act of "driving out demons" is significant in the context of Jesus' ministry. The Greek word "ἐκβάλλοντα" (ekballonta) means to cast out or expel. This was a powerful sign of divine authority and was a central aspect of Jesus' work, demonstrating the breaking of Satan's hold over individuals. The ability to cast out demons in Jesus' name was a testament to the power and authority of Jesus, even when performed by those outside the immediate circle of disciples.

in Your name
The phrase "in Your name" signifies the authority and power associated with Jesus. In the ancient world, a name was more than just a label; it represented the essence and authority of a person. The Greek "ἐν τῷ ὀνόματί σου" (en tō onomati sou) indicates that the person was invoking Jesus' authority to perform the exorcism. This underscores the belief in the power of Jesus' name and the recognition of His divine authority.

and we tried to stop him
The disciples' reaction, "we tried to stop him," reveals their initial misunderstanding of the inclusivity of Jesus' mission. The Greek "ἐκωλύομεν" (ekolyomen) means to hinder or prevent. This reflects a human tendency to control or limit the work of God to familiar or sanctioned channels. The disciples' attempt to stop the man shows their struggle with understanding the broader scope of Jesus' mission beyond their immediate group.

because he does not accompany us
The reason given, "because he does not accompany us," highlights the disciples' sense of exclusivity and ownership over the ministry of Jesus. The Greek "οὐκ ἀκολουθεῖ ἡμῖν" (ouk akolouthei hēmin) suggests a lack of physical following or association. This reflects a common human inclination to form in-groups and out-groups, often leading to division. The disciples' concern was rooted in a misunderstanding of the inclusive nature of Jesus' mission, which transcends human boundaries and affiliations.

Persons / Places / Events
1. John
One of the twelve apostles, known for his close relationship with Jesus. He is the one who brings the issue to Jesus' attention.

2. Jesus
The central figure of the New Testament, the Teacher to whom John speaks. His response to John provides insight into His teachings on unity and acceptance.

3. Unnamed Exorcist
A person not part of the immediate group of disciples but who is successfully casting out demons in Jesus' name.

4. Demons
Spiritual beings opposed to God, often causing harm to humans. The act of casting them out is a demonstration of spiritual authority.

5. The Disciples
The group of Jesus' followers, including John, who are concerned about the actions of the unnamed exorcist.
Teaching Points
Unity in Diversity
Jesus' response to John teaches that the work of God is not limited to a specific group. We should celebrate and support those who work in Jesus' name, even if they are not part of our immediate circle.

Avoiding Exclusivity
The disciples' initial reaction reflects a human tendency towards exclusivity. As followers of Christ, we should guard against this mindset and embrace those who genuinely serve God.

Recognizing God's Work
We must be open to recognizing God's work through unexpected people and places. God's Spirit moves beyond our human boundaries.

Authority in Jesus' Name
The passage underscores the power and authority inherent in Jesus' name, which can be wielded by those who believe in Him, even if they are not part of the inner circle.

Humility and Openness
This scripture calls us to humility and openness, acknowledging that God can use anyone to accomplish His purposes.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does John’s concern about the unnamed exorcist reflect our own tendencies to be exclusive in our faith communities?

2. In what ways can we apply Jesus' teaching on inclusivity in our interactions with other Christian denominations or groups?

3. How does the concept of spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12 relate to the situation in Mark 9:38?

4. What are some practical steps we can take to recognize and support the work of God in people who are outside our immediate faith community?

5. How can we ensure that our actions and attitudes align with the authority and power of Jesus' name, as demonstrated by the unnamed exorcist?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Luke 9:49-50
This passage parallels Mark 9:38 and provides additional context to Jesus' response, emphasizing the inclusivity of those who act in His name.

1 Corinthians 12:4-6
Discusses the diversity of gifts and ministries within the body of Christ, highlighting that different people can serve God in various ways.

Philippians 1:15-18
Paul speaks about others preaching Christ from different motives, yet he rejoices that Christ is preached, which aligns with Jesus' inclusive response.
A Caution Against BigotryJohn Wesley Mark 9:38
Christian TolerationW. Dorling.Mark 9:38-40
Intolerance RebukedMark 9:38-40
Party SpiritB. Beddome, M. A.Mark 9:38-40
The Degrees of ChristianityC. L. E. Luthardt.Mark 9:38-40
The Fellowship of the ApostlesJ. H. Newman, B. D.Mark 9:38-40
The Line of Conduct We Should Adopt Towards Those Who Follow not with UsT. Webster, M. A.Mark 9:38-40
The Spirit of Intolerance and SectarianismJ. Morison, D. D.Mark 9:38-40
Working with Christ Outside the ApostolateBishop Christopher Wordsworth.Mark 9:38-40
Rebuke of Sectarian NarrownessJ.J. Given Mark 9:38-41
The Comprehensiveness of Christ's ServiceA.F. Muir Mark 9:38-42
Marked SinsE. Johnson Mark 9:38-50
Stumbling-BlocksR. Green Mark 9:38-50
People
Elias, Elijah, James, Jesus, John, Peter
Places
Caesarea Philippi, Capernaum, Galilee, High Mountain
Topics
Casting, Demons, Devils, Doesn't, Driving, Evil, Expel, Follow, Followed, Followeth, Forbad, Forbade, Ground, Hinder, John, Making, Master, Prevent, Rabbi, Saying, Someone, Spirits, Stop, Teacher, Tried
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Mark 9:38

     2351   Christ, miracles

Mark 9:38-39

     1416   miracles, nature of
     4135   demons, Christ's authority over

Mark 9:38-40

     8353   tolerance

Library
February 2 Evening
One star differeth from another star in glory.--I COR. 15:41. By the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all.--Be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

Christ's Lament Over Our Faithlessness
'He answereth him and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you?'--Mark ix. 19. There is a very evident, and, I think, intentional contrast between the two scenes, of the Transfiguration, and of this healing of the maniac boy. And in nothing is the contrast more marked than in the demeanour of these enfeebled and unbelieving Apostles, as contrasted with the rapture of devotion of the other three, and with the lowly submission and faith of Moses and Elias.
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Omnipotence of Faith
Jesus said unto him, If them canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.'--Mark ix. 23. The necessity and power of faith is the prominent lesson of this narrative of the healing of a demoniac boy, especially as it is told by the Evangelist Mark, The lesson is enforced by the actions of all the persons in the group, except the central figure, Christ. The disciples could not cast out the demon, and incur Christ's plaintive rebuke, which is quite as much sorrow as blame: 'O faithless
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Unbelieving Belief
'And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief.'--Mark ix. 24. We owe to Mark's Gospel the fullest account of the pathetic incident of the healing of the demoniac boy. He alone gives us this part of the conversation between our Lord and the afflicted child's father. The poor man had brought his child to the disciples, and found them unable to do anything with him. A torrent of appeal breaks from his lips as soon as the Lord gives
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

An Unanswered Question
'What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?'--Mark ix. 33. Was it not a strange time to squabble when they had just been told of His death? Note-- I. The variations of feeling common to the disciples and to us all: one moment 'exceeding sorrowful,' the next fighting for precedence. II. Christ's divine insight into His servants' faults. This question was put because He knew what the wrangle had been about. The disputants did not answer, but He knew without an answer, as His immediately
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Salted with Fire
Every one shall be salted with fire.'--Mark ix. 49. Our Lord has just been uttering some of the most solemn words that ever came from His gracious lips. He has been enjoining the severest self-suppression, extending even to mutilation and excision of the eye, the hand, or the foot, that might cause us to stumble. He has been giving that sharp lesson on the ground of plain common sense and enlightened self-regard. It is better, obviously, to live maimed than to die whole. The man who elects to
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

'Salt in Yourselves'
'Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.'--Mark ix. 50. In the context 'salt' is employed to express the preserving, purifying, divine energy which is otherwise spoken of as 'fire.' The two emblems produce the same result. They both salt--that is, they cleanse and keep. And if in the one we recognise the quick energy of the Divine Spirit as the central idea, no less are we to see the same typified under a slightly different aspect in the other. The fire transforms into its own substance
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

'This is My Beloved Son: Hear Him'
'And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is My beloved Son: hear Him.'--Mark ix. 7. With regard to the first part of these words spoken at the Transfiguration, they open far too large and wonderful a subject for me to do more than just touch with the tip of my finger, as it were, in passing, because the utterance of the divine words, 'This is My beloved Son,' in all the depth of their meaning and loftiness, is laid as the foundation of the two
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Jesus Only!
'They saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves.'--Mark ix. 8. The Transfiguration was the solemn inauguration of Jesus for His sufferings and death. Moses, the founder, and Elijah, the restorer, of the Jewish polity, the great Lawgiver and the great Prophet, were present. The former had died and been mysteriously buried, the latter had been translated without 'seeing death.' So both are visitors from the unseen world, appearing to own that Jesus is the Lord of that dim land, and that
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Transfiguration
'And after six days Jesus taketh with Him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and He was transfigured before them. 3. And His raimemt became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them. 4. And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus. 5. And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for Thee, and one for Moses,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Receiving and Forbidding
'And He came to Capernaum: and being in the house He asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? 34. But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. 35. And He sat down, and called the Twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. 36. And He took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when He had taken him in His arms, He said unto them, 37.
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

July the Ninth Scholars in Christ's School
"He taught His disciples." --MARK ix. 30-37. And my Lord will teach me. He will lead me into "the deep things" of God. There is only one school for this sort of learning, and an old saint called it the Academy of Love, and it meets in Gethsemane and Calvary, and the Lord Himself is the teacher, and there is room in the school for thee and me. But the disciples were not in the mood for learning. They were not ambitious for heavenly knowledge, but for carnal prizes, not for wisdom, but for place.
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

The Lenten Fast.
"This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer."--ST. MARK ix. 29. You remember the narrative from which I have taken this verse. Jesus, as we read, had just come down from the Mount of Transfiguration, and when He was come to the multitude, a certain man besought him saying, "Have mercy on my son, for he is lunatic and sore vexed, and I brought him to Thy disciples, but they could not cure him." Then Jesus rebuked the devil, and the child was cured from that hour. Thereupon His disciples
John Percival—Sermons at Rugby

The Child in the Midst.
"And He took a child and set Him in the midst of them: and when He had taken him in His arms, He said unto them, Whosoever shall receive one of such children in My name, receiveth Me: and whosoever shall receive Me, receiveth not Me, but Him that sent Me."--ST. MARK ix. 36, 37. It is one of the characteristics of our time, one of its most hopeful and most encouraging signs, that men are awaking to higher and purer conceptions of the Christian life and what it is that constitutes such a life. We
John Percival—Sermons at Rugby

Of Hell
"Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched." Mark 9:48. 1. Every truth which is revealed in the oracles of God is undoubtedly of great importance. Yet it may be allowed that some of those which are revealed therein are of greater importance than others, as being more immediately conducive to the grand end of all, the eternal salvation of men. And we may judge of their importance even from this circumstance, -- that they are not mentioned once only in the sacred writings, but are repeated
John Wesley—Sermons on Several Occasions

A Caution against Bigotry
"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. But Jesus said, Forbid him not." Mark 9:38, 39. 1. In the preceding verses we read, that after the Twelve had been disputing "which of them should be the greatest," Jesus took a little child, and set him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, said unto them, "Whosoever shall receive one of these little children in My name, receiveth
John Wesley—Sermons on Several Occasions

Faith's Dawn and Its Clouds
In the text there are three things very clearly. Here is true faith; here is grievous unbelief; here is a battle between the two. I. Very clearly in the text there is TRUE FAITH. "Lord, I believe," says the anxious father. When our Lord tells him that, if he can believe, all things are possible to him, he makes no demur, asks for no pause, wishes to hear no more evidence, but cries at once, "Lord, I believe." Now, observe we have called this faith true faith, and we will prove it to have been so.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 18: 1872

The Child in the Midst.
And he came to Capernaum: and, being in the house, he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves who should be the greatest. And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, Whosoever shall
George MacDonald—Unspoken Sermons

Absolute Surrender
"And Ben-hadad the king of Syria gathered all his host together: and there were thirty and two kings with him, and horses, and chariots: and he went up and besieged Samaria, and warred against it. And he sent messengers to Ahab king of Israel into the city, and said unto him, Thus saith Ben-hadad, Thy silver and thy gold is mine; thy wives also and thy children, even the goodliest, are mine. And the king of Israel answered and said, My lord, O king, according to thy saying, I am thine and all that
Andrew Murray—Absolute Surrender

Thoughts Upon Striving to Enter at the Strait Gate.
AS certainly as we are here now, it is not long but we shall all be in another World, either in a World of Happiness, or else in a World of Misery, or if you will, either in Heaven or in Hell. For these are the two only places which all Mankind from the beginning of the World to the end of it, must live in for evermore, some in the one, some in the other, according to their carriage and behaviour here; and therefore it is worth the while to take a view and prospect now and then of both these places,
William Beveridge—Private Thoughts Upon a Christian Life

The Three Tabernacles
And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles, one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. MARK ix. 5. Caught up in glory and in rapture, the Apostle seems to have forgotten the world from which he had ascended, and to which he still belonged, and to have craved permanent shelter and extatic communion within the mystic splendors that brightened the Mount of Transfiguration. But it was true, not only as to the confusion of his
E. H. Chapin—The Crown of Thorns

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