Mark 9 41

Mark 9:41 kjv

For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.

Mark 9:41 nkjv

For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.

Mark 9:41 niv

Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.

Mark 9:41 esv

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.

Mark 9:41 nlt

If anyone gives you even a cup of water because you belong to the Messiah, I tell you the truth, that person will surely be rewarded.

Mark 9 verses

Mark 9 41 Meaning

Mark 9:41 teaches that even the smallest act of kindness, such as offering a cup of water, when motivated by recognition of and belonging to Christ, will be assuredly rewarded by God. It highlights that the sincere motive of identifying with Christ and His followers is what makes the deed valuable in God's sight, guaranteeing a certain recompense from His unfailing hand.

Mark 9 41 Context

Mark 9:41 appears immediately following Jesus' teaching on humility and the significance of welcoming those who serve Him. In the preceding verses (Mk 9:33-37), the disciples had been arguing about who among them was the greatest, leading Jesus to present a child as an example of humility and to declare that whoever welcomes such a child in His name welcomes Him and the Father. Then, John interjects (Mk 9:38-40) about someone casting out demons in Jesus' name, even though he was "not following us." Jesus responds that such a one should not be hindered because "whoever is not against us is for us." Mark 9:41 serves as a positive affirmation building upon this idea of acknowledging and valuing acts done "in Christ's name," even by those seemingly outside the immediate inner circle. It pivots from welcoming children and not hindering "outsiders" to a promise of divine reward for any supportive action, no matter how small, shown towards Christ's followers. It highlights that God values sincere allegiance and service more than external markers of religious affiliation or human perceptions of greatness.

Mark 9 41 Word analysis

• For whoever: This phrase, "Ὅς γὰρ ἄν" (Hos gar an), denotes universality. It implies that this promise is for any person, regardless of their status, power, or prominent role, who performs such an act. It underscores that access to divine favor is not exclusive to a privileged few.

• gives you: "ποτίσῃ ὑμᾶς" (potisē hymas). The "you" refers to the disciples, who are the representatives or agents of Christ in the world. By extension, it refers to any of Christ's true followers. The act is directed towards those who identify with Jesus.

• a cup of water (ποτήριον ὕδατος - potērion hydatos):

  • Literal: Water was a fundamental necessity in the ancient Middle East, especially for travelers. Offering water was a basic act of hospitality and charity, crucial for survival and comfort.
  • Symbolic: This phrase symbolizes the smallest, simplest, and most unassuming act of kindness or service. It's a humble offering that requires minimal resources or effort, demonstrating that even modest gestures of love are profoundly valued by God. It contrasts with the grand, self-aggrandizing acts that human beings often seek for recognition.

• to drink: Emphasizes satisfying a fundamental need directly and practically.

• because you belong to Christ (ἐν ὀνόματι ὅτι Χριστοῦ ἐστέ - en onomati hoti Christou este):

  • "ἐν ὀνόματι" (en onomati): Literally "in the name" or "on the basis of the name." Here, it signifies the motive, ground, or cause for the action. It's not just generic goodwill but goodwill stemming from recognizing the recipient's connection to Christ.
  • "ὅτι Χριστοῦ ἐστέ" (hoti Christou este): "that you are of Christ" or "because you belong to Christ." This is the pivotal condition. The giver understands that the recipient is identified with Christ, a member of His family or His disciple. The act is not performed for personal gain, social recognition, or even general benevolence alone, but precisely because of this divine identification. It transforms an ordinary act into a spiritually significant one, acknowledging Christ's authority and presence in His followers. This distinguishes it from philanthropy that lacks a spiritual motivation.

• will by no means lose his reward (οὐ μὴ ἀπολέσῃ τὸν μισθὸν αὐτοῦ - ou mē apolesē ton misthon autou):

  • "οὐ μὴ" (ou mē): This is a powerful double negative in Greek, rendering the negation absolute and certain. It means "absolutely not," "never under any circumstances," "by no means." This emphatic structure highlights the undeniable truth and certainty of Jesus' promise. God's faithfulness guarantees it.
  • "ἀπολέσῃ" (apolesē): "lose" or "perish." It signifies that the act will not go unrewarded; it will not be overlooked, forgotten, or nullified.
  • "τὸν μισθὸν αὐτοῦ" (ton misthon autou): "his reward." This refers to a recompense, payment, or prize. In a theological context, "reward" does not imply earning salvation by works, but rather divine recognition, favor, commendation, or blessings given to believers who have faithfully served Him. It confirms God's just character as one who meticulously notes and reciprocates every genuine act of devotion.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink": This highlights the accessible nature of kingdom service. It emphasizes that meaningful contribution to Christ's kingdom is not limited to those with grand abilities, positions, or resources. Everyone can perform such humble, practical acts of love.
  • "because you belong to Christ": This phrase pinpoints the essential motivation. It underscores that the why behind an action is more critical than the what. An act's eternal value is derived not from its scale, but from its connection to Christ and its intent to honor Him by recognizing His presence in His followers. This prevents good deeds from being merely humanistic or self-serving.
  • "will by no means lose his reward": This assures divine recognition and recompense. The strong double negative asserts God's unwavering faithfulness and justice. It offers profound encouragement to believers that every selfless act of love and service, done for the sake of Christ, is noted by God and will ultimately receive an infallible, divine blessing or recognition that far transcends any earthly accolade or repayment.

Mark 9 41 Bonus section

This verse challenges any system that promotes a hierarchy of spiritual acts, asserting that true value lies in the motive. It reveals God's generosity, not just in providing salvation, but in actively seeking to bless those who reflect His character through even small acts of love. The concept of "reward" here is not earning salvation, but rather the divine affirmation, blessings, and commendations within an already grace-given relationship with God. It serves as a great equalizer, demonstrating that spiritual significance is accessible to all believers, regardless of their station or public visibility, simply by acting out of a heart devoted to Christ.

Mark 9 41 Commentary

Mark 9:41 is a profoundly encouraging statement from Jesus that overturns conventional measures of importance. Coming amidst the disciples' struggles with humility and disputes over greatness, this verse shifts the focus to simple, sincere service motivated by love for Christ. It declares that God sees and highly values even the most minor act of charity, such as offering a mere "cup of water," when it is given with a heart that recognizes and supports His followers as belonging to Him. The critical element is not the size or perceived significance of the deed, but the spiritual motive—acting out of identification with Christ. The emphatic promise "will by no means lose his reward" underscores God's unfailing justice and attentiveness, assuring believers that no genuine, Christ-centered act of kindness goes unnoticed or unrewarded in His economy. This serves as a powerful reminder that true greatness in God's kingdom lies in humble, faithful service to others for Christ's sake, fostering an environment of selfless love and support within the community of believers.

• Examples for practical usage:
  • Offering a sincere prayer for a struggling fellow believer, recognizing them as "one of Christ's."
  • Sharing a meal or a resource with a stranger known to be a Christian, purely because they belong to Jesus.
  • Giving a kind word or offering help to someone you know is serving the Lord, even if it feels like a small gesture.
  • Supporting a missionary or a local church worker with a minimal financial gift, recognizing their work for Christ.