Mark 9:39 kjv
But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.
Mark 9:39 nkjv
But Jesus said, "Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me.
Mark 9:39 niv
"Do not stop him," Jesus said. "For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me,
Mark 9:39 esv
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.
Mark 9:39 nlt
"Don't stop him!" Jesus said. "No one who performs a miracle in my name will soon be able to speak evil of me.
Mark 9 39 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 11:26-29 | But two men remained in the camp...and the Spirit rested on them; they were among those registered, but they had not gone out to the tent...and they prophesied in the camp...and Moses said to him, "Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the LORD's people were prophets, that the LORD would put his Spirit upon them!" | Moses' open-hearted response to Spirit-led prophecy outside the norm, parallels Jesus' inclusive stance. |
| Mk 9:40 | For whoever is not against us is for us. | Direct continuation, expands the principle of not hindering legitimate spiritual workers. |
| Lk 9:49-50 | John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him because he does not follow with us.” But Jesus said to him, “Do not forbid him, for whoever is not against you is for you.” | Luke's parallel account, highlighting John's exclusivist concern and Jesus' direct command. |
| Matt 12:30 | Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. | A complementary saying by Jesus, emphasizing definite alignment or opposition; applied to core identity, not necessarily method. |
| Phil 1:15-18 | It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry...What does it matter? The important thing is that in every way...Christ is preached. | Paul's recognition that preaching Christ, even with imperfect motives, still achieves Christ's mission. |
| 1 Cor 12:3 | Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is cursed,” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit. | True acknowledgment of Jesus as Lord is Spirit-enabled, demonstrating alignment with Him. |
| Matt 7:16-20 | You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? ...Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. | Spiritual work should be discerned by its genuine divine "fruit" (miracles in His name), rather than by superficial affiliation. |
| 1 Jn 4:1 | Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. | Call to discernment, confirming that valid spiritual activity in Jesus' name aligns with truth and not opposition. |
| Acts 4:7-12 | "By what power or by what name did you do this?" Then Peter...said, "...by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth...And there is salvation in no one else." | Emphasizes the power and exclusive authority in the Name of Jesus for healing and salvation. |
| Jn 14:12 | Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. | Promise of disciples doing powerful works in Jesus' name, underscoring the spiritual power accessible through Him. |
| Rom 14:3-4 | Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? | Calls for tolerance and against judgmental attitudes among believers, respecting God's welcoming of different servants. |
| Acts 5:38-39 | "...If this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them." | Gamaliel's counsel for letting God determine the validity of a movement based on its fruit and endurance. |
| Jude 1:19 | It is these who cause divisions, who are worldly and devoid of the Spirit. | Warns against those who create divisions, implicitly contrasting with Jesus' inclusivity of valid workers. |
| Php 2:9-11 | Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow. | Reinforces the supreme authority and power inherent in the Name of Jesus. |
| 1 Cor 3:5-9 | What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed... Each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers. | Emphasizes different roles in God's work and avoiding sectarian boasts of belonging to one "worker" over another. |
| Jn 10:16 | And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. | Jesus hints at a wider scope of His people, extending beyond a visible, immediate group. |
| Zech 10:12 | I will strengthen them in the LORD, and in his name they shall walk, declares the LORD. | OT emphasis on drawing strength and acting in the Lord's name. |
| 2 Tim 2:19 | But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.” | Connecting genuine faith and belonging to the Lord with holy conduct and a separation from evil. |
| Col 3:17 | And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. | Call to conduct all life activities in the name and authority of Christ. |
| Lk 21:8 | He said, “See that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is at hand!’ Do not go after them." | While many will come in His name (claiming to be Him), this is distinct from performing acts of power through His authority. Requires discernment. |
Mark 9 verses
Mark 9 39 Meaning
Jesus teaches His disciples against spiritual exclusivism, asserting that anyone genuinely performing a miracle in His name, and thereby acknowledging His authority, cannot soon after speak against Him. The verse clarifies that if individuals are performing acts of divine power through Jesus’ name, they are inherently aligned with Him and should not be forbidden from their work, regardless of whether they are part of the immediate circle of disciples.
Mark 9 39 Context
The immediate context of Mark 9:39 follows the disciples' failure to cast out a demon from a boy (Mk 9:14-29). This demonstrated their limitations despite having been given authority (Mk 6:7). Following this, Jesus again predicts His suffering and resurrection (Mk 9:30-32). Then, in Capernaum, the disciples were caught discussing who was the greatest among them, revealing their self-serving and worldly ambition (Mk 9:33-34). Jesus, in response, teaches profound lessons on humility, service, and receiving those who are weak or childlike in His name (Mk 9:35-37). It is in this atmosphere of competition and misplaced focus that John presents his concern in Mark 9:38 about someone outside their direct company doing miracles in Jesus' name. John's complaint stems from an exclusivist mentality, contrasting sharply with Jesus' broad teaching on welcoming and valuing all who relate to Him.
Historically, this passage reflects the dynamics of spiritual authority and communal boundaries prevalent in ancient Judaism. Rabbinical schools had specific followers, and a new movement like Jesus' would inevitably attract those both within and outside its closest circle. The disciples, expecting a political kingdom and high positions, were focused on their group's preeminence. John’s desire to forbid the outside exorcist was likely rooted in a sense of protective ownership over Jesus' power and reputation, possibly mixed with a fear of rogue elements or competition. Jesus corrects this narrow perspective, affirming the authenticity of anyone performing works in His name.
Mark 9 39 Word analysis
- But Jesus said, (ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν, ho de Iēsous eipen): Indicates a direct and authoritative response to John's declaration, signaling a crucial teaching.
- Do not forbid him, (Μὴ κωλύετε αὐτόν, mē kōlyete auton): A strong prohibition using the present imperative. It means "stop forbidding him" or "do not continue to forbid him," implying their previous action or intent was wrong. Kōlyete (κωλύετε) means to hinder, prevent, restrain.
- for (γάρ, gar): Connects the command not to forbid with the reason for it, providing the logical basis for Jesus’ instruction.
- no one (οὐδεὶς, oudeis): An emphatic negative, meaning "not even one." It applies universally to anyone fitting the subsequent description.
- who does a miracle (ὃς ποιήσει δύναμιν, hos poiēsei dynamin): Literally "who will do a power." Dynamis (δύναμις) refers to a deed of power, a wonder, a powerful work, or miracle, often denoting an extraordinary ability imparted by divine power. The future tense verb poiēsei (ποιήσει, "will do") suggests a statement of general truth about anyone who undertakes such acts.
- in My name (ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματί μου, epi tō onomati mou): This is a critical phrase. Onomati (ὀνόματι) is "name," but here it signifies the person, authority, and character of Jesus. To act "in My name" means to act by His authority, with His sanction, and in true spiritual alignment with His person and mission. It is not a magical incantation but a submission to and embodiment of His power.
- can soon afterward (ταχὺ δυνήσεται, tachy dynēsetai): Tachy (ταχὺ) means quickly, immediately, soon. Dynēsetai (δυνήσεται) means "will be able," or "can." It implies a swift, intrinsic inability.
- speak evil of Me (κακολογῆσαί με, kakologēsai me): Kakologeō (κακολογέω) means to speak badly of, malign, revile, curse. Jesus argues that there is an inherent contradiction: one cannot truly act by His power and authority and then simultaneously slander or denounce Him.
Words-group analysis:
- "Do not forbid him, for...": This emphasizes Jesus' corrective instruction to His disciples, moving them from a mindset of exclusivism to one of inclusion for effective ministry.
- "no one who does a miracle in My name": This identifies the specific type of individual and activity Jesus refers to. The authenticity of the miracle, its source being "in My name," is paramount. It means this person is drawing upon Christ's power, suggesting a true, though perhaps unknown to the disciples, connection to Jesus.
- "can soon afterward speak evil of Me": This establishes a fundamental principle of spiritual consistency. A person genuinely operating by the divine authority and power of Jesus for good cannot concurrently harbor ill will or malign Him. The good work itself acts as a testimony of their true, if unformalized, allegiance to Jesus.
Mark 9 39 Bonus section
This passage stands in a powerful tension with Matthew 12:30 (and Lk 11:23), "Whoever is not with Me is against Me, and whoever does not gather with Me scatters." While Matt 12:30 applies to ultimate allegiance (one's fundamental standing and loyalty to Christ), Mark 9:39-40 addresses the sphere of influence and ministry practice, particularly concerning others. Matthew refers to one's core disposition (whether you belong to Christ or not), while Mark discusses the handling of those doing legitimate good in His name.
The individual casting out demons likely believed in Jesus' authority to perform the act, perhaps having heard of Jesus' power. While not part of the twelve or seventy, they honored Christ by invoking His name and successfully drove out the demon. Jesus' statement emphasizes the integrity of divine operations; one cannot sincerely and effectively channel God's power through Christ and then genuinely revile the very source of that power. It’s an impossibility because spiritual authority operates on allegiance and belief. This highlights that Jesus’ spiritual influence was already extending beyond His immediate followers, validating His broader redemptive impact on the world. This situation anticipates the early church's growth where individuals like Apollos or later Gentile converts, though not original disciples, were legitimately empowered for ministry by the Holy Spirit.
Mark 9 39 Commentary
Mark 9:39 serves as a vital teaching on Christian unity and the nature of genuine spiritual work. John, like many in leadership, wanted to control who could exercise spiritual power, confining it to their authorized group. Jesus directly challenges this narrow view, demonstrating a wider understanding of those who operate within God's will. The core message is that true alignment with Jesus is evidenced by genuinely effective work done through His authority, regardless of one's organizational affiliation.
The "miracle in My name" is the undeniable proof. To perform such a powerful act by Christ's name necessitates a level of spiritual submission and connection that makes immediate betrayal or blasphemy illogical and contradictory. Jesus affirms that actions, especially those showing divine power for good, speak louder than formal membership or initial appearances. He prioritizes the demonstration of God's power and Christ's honor over the disciples' nascent, sectarian tendencies. This teaching prepares for a church that is diverse yet united by a common reliance on and loyalty to Christ's name. It encourages discerning cooperation over divisive competition when the Spirit is truly at work.
- Example 1: A new church plant begins to thrive and serve its community effectively, though it has no prior connection to a long-established local church. Instead of viewing it as a rival, older churches, following Jesus' teaching, should recognize the legitimate work of God in that place.
- Example 2: Different Christian ministries, perhaps with distinct styles or theological emphases, are all reaching people for Christ and seeing changed lives. Rather than critiquing differences, believers are called to affirm the genuine work for God's Kingdom.