Luke 9 50

Luke 9:50 kjv

And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.

Luke 9:50 nkjv

But Jesus said to him, "Do not forbid him, for he who is not against us is on our side."

Luke 9:50 niv

"Do not stop him," Jesus said, "for whoever is not against you is for you."

Luke 9:50 esv

But Jesus said to him, "Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you."

Luke 9:50 nlt

But Jesus said, "Don't stop him! Anyone who is not against you is for you."

Luke 9 verses

Luke 9 50 Meaning

Luke 9:50 articulates a crucial principle of spiritual inclusiveness from Jesus Christ. The verse, a direct response to John's sectarian attempt to silence a man casting out demons because he was not an official follower, teaches that anyone working for God's kingdom and against the forces of evil, even if outside the immediate circle of His disciples, should be affirmed and not hindered. The core message is that spiritual affinity and common purpose are more important than exclusive group affiliation or visible signs of discipleship. It emphasizes a broad solidarity among those who genuinely further God's purposes.

Luke 9 50 Context

This verse is embedded in a section (Luke 9:46-50) where the disciples are again grappling with pride and worldly understanding. Immediately preceding, they were disputing who among them was the greatest (Luke 9:46), a notion Jesus addresses by placing a child among them as an example of true humility and service (Luke 9:47-48). John's interjection in Luke 9:49—about the exorcist operating outside their recognized group—directly follows this discussion. It reveals the disciples' continuing tendency towards sectarianism and a desire for exclusive authority, contrasting sharply with Jesus' expansive view of God's work. This conversation takes place before Jesus' firm resolve to head towards Jerusalem and His ultimate suffering and glorification (Luke 9:51), marking a crucial transitional point in His ministry. The historical context reflects a Jewish culture that often emphasized purity, separation, and distinct group identities (e.g., various sects like Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes). Jesus' teaching here directly challenges such exclusive mindsets, indicating a new covenant that prioritizes a spiritual bond over rigid organizational or tribal allegiance.

Luke 9 50 Word analysis

• But Jesus: The conjunction "But" (δὲ - de) marks a transition and often introduces a contrast or counterpoint to the preceding statement. Here, it signifies Jesus' corrective and authoritative response to John's sectarian attitude, shifting the focus from disciple-centric thinking to kingdom-centric reality.
• said: Implies a direct and definitive teaching from the Lord, carrying divine authority.
• Do not forbid him: The phrase "do not forbid" (μὴ κωλύετε - mē kōlyete) is a strong prohibitive imperative. The Greek verb kōlyō means "to hinder," "to prevent," "to restrain." Jesus commands a halt to their restrictive action. It’s an instruction for positive acceptance and non-interference.
• for: The conjunction "for" (γὰρ - gar) introduces the reason or justification for Jesus' command, linking it logically to the principle He is about to state.
• he who is not against us: The Greek "ὁ γὰρ οὐκ ἔστιν καθ’ ἡμῶν" (ho gar ouk estin kath’ hēmōn) points to someone whose stance is demonstrably not in opposition. "Against" (κατά - kata) here means "down upon" or "in opposition to." This highlights a lack of hostile intent or action towards Jesus and His disciples, a fundamental measure of alignment.
• is for us: The Greek "ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν ἐστιν" (hyper hēmōn estin) expresses active support or being on one's side. "For" (ὑπέρ - hyper) denotes "on behalf of," "in favor of." This emphasizes that shared spiritual purpose, manifested through actual acts of kingdom advancement (like casting out demons), trumps rigid organizational boundaries.

Words-group analysis:

• "But Jesus said, 'Do not forbid him,'": This powerful statement reveals Jesus' radical openness. Unlike the disciples, Jesus recognizes genuine kingdom work regardless of affiliation. It’s a rebuke to their narrow view and a call for a broader understanding of who is on God's side. This contrasts with their previous squabble over greatness, indicating their self-centered perspective versus Jesus' kingdom-centered one.
• "for he who is not against us is for us.": This concise axiom forms the theological bedrock of the verse. It encapsulates Jesus' principle of inclusive solidarity. It suggests that allegiance is shown by one's actions (not opposing, but effectively contributing to the defeat of evil through divine power) rather than by formal membership or recognized discipleship status. It sets a boundary for acceptance based on neutrality or positive action, rather than explicit sworn allegiance or ritual. It points to a dynamic where all true spiritual battles have only two sides: for or against Christ's kingdom. There is no middle ground in the cosmic conflict, but in practical human cooperation, neutrality from opposition counts as being on the side of the kingdom.

Luke 9 50 Bonus section

It is vital to balance this verse with its apparent counterpoint in Matt 12:30, "He who is not with Me is against Me." These two statements are not contradictory but complementary, viewed from different contextual lenses. Luke 9:50 (Mk 9:40 parallel) addresses a specific situation where individuals are actively doing good kingdom work (casting out demons). Jesus affirms that such productive effort aligns them "for us" by virtue of their fruit. Matt 12:30, however, speaks to a different context, the spiritual allegiance to Christ's kingdom in general. There, the neutrality that Luke's passage discusses does not apply in terms of ultimate commitment; one cannot remain indifferent to Christ's sovereignty. If one is not actively with Christ in spiritual battle (against evil), they are implicitly against Him. Luke's principle is a pragmatic guideline for dealing with potential allies outside one's group, focusing on avoiding hindrance; Matthew's is a categorical declaration of allegiance required in the overarching spiritual war. Both emphasize Christ's exclusive claim, but Luke broadens the definition of who counts as a supporter, urging against sectarianism within a framework of true spiritual work.

Luke 9 50 Commentary

Luke 9:50 serves as a profound lesson in discerning true allegiance and combating spiritual sectarianism. The disciples' desire for exclusivity, born of misunderstanding and perhaps pride, sought to limit the scope of God's work to their small group. Jesus radically broadens their perspective, teaching that genuine fruit for the kingdom (such as casting out demons) indicates an alignment with God, regardless of who is performing the act or their perceived status within the community. The principle "he who is not against us is for us" implies that effective contribution to Christ's mission defines true partnership. It is a call to generosity of spirit, to rejoice when good is done in God's name, and to avoid competitive jealousy or limiting the Spirit's work. This verse encourages believers to look for common ground and spiritual kinship beyond denominational or organizational labels, affirming all who authentically serve Christ and stand against evil. Practically, it encourages recognizing the divine work in diverse ministries and respecting different expressions of faith that honor Christ, fostering unity by focusing on shared objectives rather than differing methods or backgrounds.