Luke 9:49

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Yochanan responded, “Rabbi, we saw someone expelling demons in your name; and we stopped him because he doesn’t follow you along with us.”

Berean Standard Bible:

“Master,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in Your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not accompany us.”

American Standard Version:

And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out demons in thy name; and we forbade him, because he followeth not with us.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And^{G1161} John^{G2491} answered^{G611} and said^{G2036}, Master^{G1988}, we saw^{G1492} one^{G5100} casting out^{G1544} devils^{G1140} in^{G1909} thy^{G4675} name^{G3686}; and^{G2532} we forbad^{G2967} him^{G846}, because^{G3754} he followeth^{G190} not^{G3756} with^{G3326} us^{G2257}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

BibleHub.com BibleRef.com

Commentary for Luke 9:49

Luke 9:49 captures a moment in the Gospel narrative where Jesus' disciples are grappling with issues of authority, inclusivity, and the scope of the ministry they have been called to. The verse is situated within the broader context of Jesus' Galilean ministry, where He is training His disciples and preparing them for the work ahead. In this particular instance, John, one of the core disciples, reports to Jesus that they encountered someone who was successfully driving out demons in Jesus' name, yet they tried to stop him because he was not part of their immediate group of followers.

The themes present in this verse include the disciples' struggle with exclusivity and their desire to control the movement emerging around Jesus. They seem to believe that only those sanctioned by or directly associated with Jesus should exercise the power to perform miracles in His name. This reflects a common human tendency to create in-groups and out-groups, often seen in religious contexts.

Jesus' response to this situation, as provided in the subsequent verses (Luke 9:50), is critical to understanding the full impact of Luke 9:49. Jesus rebukes the exclusivist attitude of His disciples, teaching them that anyone who is not against them is for them. This indicates a more inclusive approach to ministry and the work of the Kingdom of God, suggesting that Jesus' mission extends beyond the immediate circle of His disciples.

Historically, this verse reflects the early tensions within the Jesus movement as it grew and encountered diversity among those who claimed allegiance to Jesus. It also prefigures the later debates within the early church about who could legitimately exercise spiritual authority and how the church should respond to those outside the original apostolic band. The verse invites readers to consider the breadth of God's work in the world and the importance of recognizing and affirming the contributions of all who act in the spirit of Christ's teachings, regardless of their formal affiliation.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G1161
   There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δέ
   Transliteration: dé
   Pronunciation: deh
   Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
   
2. Strong's Number: G2491
   There are 130 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: Ἰωάννης
   Transliteration: Iōánnēs
   Pronunciation: ee-o-an'-nace
   Description: of Hebrew origin (יוֹחָנָן); Joannes (i.e. Jochanan), the name of four Israelites:--John.
   
3. Strong's Number: G611
   There are 248 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀποκρίνομαι
   Transliteration: apokrínomai
   Pronunciation: ap-ok-ree'-nom-ahee
   Description: from ἀπό and ; to conclude for oneself, i.e. (by implication) to respond; by Hebraism (compare עָנָה) to begin to speak (where an address is expected):--answer.
   
4. Strong's Number: G2036
   There are 901 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἔπω
   Transliteration: épō
   Pronunciation: ep'-o
   Description: a primary verb (used only in the definite past tense, the others being borrowed from ἐρέω, ῥέω, and φημί); to speak or say (by word or writing):--answer, bid, bring word, call, command, grant, say (on), speak, tell. Compare λέγω.
   
5. Strong's Number: G1988
   There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐπιστάτης
   Transliteration: epistátēs
   Pronunciation: ep-is-tat'-ace
   Description: from ἐπί and a presumed derivative of ἵστημι; an appointee over, i.e. commander (teacher):--master.
   
6. Strong's Number: G1492
   There are 626 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: εἴδω
   Transliteration: eídō
   Pronunciation: i'-do
   Description: a primary verb; used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent ὀπτάνομαι and ὁράω; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know:--be aware, behold, X can (+ not tell), consider, (have) know(-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wish, wot. Compare ὀπτάνομαι.
   
7. Strong's Number: G5100
   There are 419 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: τὶς
   Transliteration: tìs
   Pronunciation: tis
   Description: an enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object:--a (kind of), any (man, thing, thing at all), certain (thing), divers, he (every) man, one (X thing), ought, + partly, some (man, -body, - thing, -what), (+ that no-)thing, what(-soever), X wherewith, whom(-soever), whose(-soever).
   
8. Strong's Number: G1544
   There are 76 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐκβάλλω
   Transliteration: ekbállō
   Pronunciation: ek-bal'-lo
   Description: from ἐκ and βάλλω; to eject (literally or figuratively):--bring forth, cast (forth, out), drive (out), expel, leave, pluck (pull, take, thrust) out, put forth (out), send away (forth, out).
   
9. Strong's Number: G1140
   There are 52 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δαιμόνιον
   Transliteration: daimónion
   Pronunciation: dahee-mon'-ee-on
   Description: neuter of a derivative of δαίμων; a dæmonic being; by extension a deity:--devil, god.
   
10. Strong's Number: G1909
    There are 790 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐπί
    Transliteration: epí
    Pronunciation: ep-ee'
    Description: a primary preposition; properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e. over, upon, etc.; of rest (with the dative case) at, on, etc.; of direction (with the accusative case) towards, upon, etc.:--about (the times), above, after, against, among, as long as (touching), at, beside, X have charge of, (be-, (where-))fore, in (a place, as much as, the time of, -to), (because) of, (up-)on (behalf of), over, (by, for) the space of, through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), with. In compounds it retains essentially the same import, at, upon, etc. (literally or figuratively).
    
11. Strong's Number: G4675
    There are 360 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: σοῦ
    Transliteration: soû
    Pronunciation: soo
    Description: genitive case of σύ; of thee, thy:--X home, thee, thine (own), thou, thy.
    
12. Strong's Number: G3686
    There are 214 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὄνομα
    Transliteration: ónoma
    Pronunciation: on'-om-ah
    Description: from a presumed derivative of the base of γινώσκω (compare ὀνίνημι); a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character):--called, (+ sur-)name(-d).
    
13. Strong's Number: G2532
    There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: καί
    Transliteration: kaí
    Pronunciation: kahee
    Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
    
14. Strong's Number: G2967
    There are 23 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: κωλύω
    Transliteration: kōlýō
    Pronunciation: ko-loo'-o
    Description: from the base of κολάζω; to estop, i.e. prevent (by word or act):--forbid, hinder, keep from, let, not suffer, withstand.
    
15. Strong's Number: G846
    There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: αὐτός
    Transliteration: autós
    Pronunciation: ow-tos'
    Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
    
16. Strong's Number: G3754
    There are 1189 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὅτι
    Transliteration: hóti
    Pronunciation: hot'-ee
    Description: neuter of ὅστις as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.
    
17. Strong's Number: G190
    There are 939 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀκολουθέω
    Transliteration: akolouthéō
    Pronunciation: ak-ol-oo-theh'-o
    Description: from Α (as a particle of union) and (a road); properly, to be in the same way with, i.e. to accompany (specially, as a disciple):--follow, reach.
    
18. Strong's Number: G3756
    There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: οὐ
    Transliteration: ou
    Pronunciation: ookh
    Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος.
    
19. Strong's Number: G3326
    There are 445 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: μετά
    Transliteration: metá
    Pronunciation: met-ah'
    Description: a primary preposition (often used adverbially); properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession) with which it is joined; occupying an intermediate position between ἀπό or ἐκ and εἰς or πρός; less intimate than ἐν and less close than σύν):--after(-ward), X that he again, against, among, X and, + follow, hence, hereafter, in, of, (up-)on, + our, X and setting, since, (un-)to, + together, when, with (+ -out). Often used in composition, in substantially the same relations of participation or proximity, and transfer or sequence.
    
20. Strong's Number: G2257
    There are 365 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἡμῶν
    Transliteration: hēmōn
    Pronunciation: hay-mone'
    Description: genitive case plural of ἐγώ; of (or from) us:--our (company), us, we.