Mark 9:38

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} John {G2491} answered {G611} him {G846}, saying {G3004}, Master {G1320}, we saw {G1492} one {G5100} casting out {G1544} devils {G1140} in thy {G4675} name {G3686}, and {G3739} he followeth {G190} not {G3756} us {G2254}: and {G2532} we forbad {G2967} him {G846}, because {G3754} he followeth {G190} not {G3756} us {G2254}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yochanan said to him, "Rabbi, we saw a man expelling demons in your name; and because he wasn't one of us, we told him to stop."

Berean Standard Bible

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.”

American Standard Version

John said unto him, Teacher, we saw one casting out demons in thy name; and we forbade him, because he followed not us.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 9:38 records an incident where John, one of Jesus' disciples, reports to Jesus that they encountered an individual successfully casting out demons in Jesus' name, yet this person was not part of their immediate retinue. The disciples, exhibiting a narrow and exclusive mindset, forbade this individual from continuing their work. This verse sets the stage for Jesus' subsequent teaching, which challenges their sectarianism and broadens their understanding of who is truly "for" Him and His kingdom.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Jesus' crucial teaching on humility and service, prompted by the disciples' private dispute about who among them was the greatest ([Mark 9:33-37](/mark/9-33-37 "Mark 9:33-37 - Jesus Teaches Humility and Service")). John's interjection demonstrates that despite Jesus' recent lessons on self-sacrificial greatness, the disciples still struggled with a self-centered and exclusive view of ministry and authority. Their concern was not the efficacy or source of the power (which was clearly Jesus' name), but the affiliation of the one exercising it. Jesus' response in [Mark 9:39-41](/mark/9-39-41 "Mark 9:39-41 - Jesus' Teaching on Inclusivity") directly addresses their narrow perspective, emphasizing that anyone who is not against Him is for Him, and even small acts of kindness in His name will be rewarded.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the first century, discipleship often involved a close, formal adherence to a specific rabbi or teacher, implying a distinct group identity. The disciples of Jesus would have naturally viewed themselves as the exclusive inheritors of His authority and mission. Furthermore, the casting out of demons was a recognized sign of divine power and the inauguration of God's kingdom, often associated with specific prophets or holy men. The idea that someone outside their immediate, recognized circle could wield such power "in Jesus' name" would have been unsettling and perceived as a challenge to their unique status. This incident also reflects the broader human tendency to form exclusive groups and to be suspicious of those operating outside established norms or affiliations, a dynamic seen throughout religious history.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 9:38 contributes significantly to several key themes within the Gospel of Mark. First, it highlights the theme of **Authority in Jesus' Name**, demonstrating that genuine spiritual power derives solely from Christ, not from human organizational structures or affiliations. The efficacy of the exorcism underscores the inherent power of Jesus' name, regardless of who invokes it with true faith. Second, it exposes the disciples' struggle with **Exclusivity vs. Inclusivity**. Their desire to forbid the unnamed exorcist reveals a sectarian spirit, a common human failing that Jesus consistently challenged. This incident serves as a counterpoint to Jesus' kingdom vision, which is far broader than the disciples' limited understanding. Finally, it touches upon the theme of **Misunderstanding Discipleship**. The disciples, despite being with Jesus, repeatedly demonstrate a failure to grasp the true nature of His kingdom, which prioritizes humble service and expansive grace over status and control, as seen in their earlier dispute over greatness ([Mark 9:34](/mark/9-34 "Mark 9:34 - The Disciples' Dispute Over Greatness")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **devils (Greek, _daimónion'_):** This term refers to a "demonic being" or "evil spirit." In the New Testament, these are malevolent spiritual entities under the dominion of Satan, who afflict humans and oppose God's will. The fact that the unnamed individual was successfully casting out these entities "in thy name" (Jesus' name) indicates that genuine spiritual power was at work, underscoring the authority inherent in Jesus' person and mission.
* **casting out (Greek, _ekbállō'_):** This verb literally means "to eject," "drive out," or "expel." It is a strong, forceful term consistently used in the Gospels to describe Jesus' (and later, His disciples') authoritative expulsion of demons. Its use here confirms the effective and undeniable nature of the exorcism, making the disciples' prohibition of the act even more problematic.
* **followeth (Greek, _akolouthéō'_):** This word means "to be in the same way with" or "to accompany," specifically "as a disciple." John's repeated complaint, "he followeth not us," highlights the disciples' narrow definition of allegiance. They equated following Jesus with following *them* as Jesus' immediate group, failing to recognize that one could be genuinely aligned with Jesus' mission without being part of their specific, visible fellowship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And John answered him, saying, Master,"**: This opening sets the scene, indicating John's direct response to Jesus, likely prompted by the preceding conversation about humility and service. His use of "Master" (διδάσκαλος, _didáskalos'_) acknowledges Jesus' authority, yet his subsequent actions reveal a misunderstanding of that authority's scope.
* **"we saw one casting out devils in thy name,"**: John reports a factual observation: they witnessed someone successfully performing an exorcism. The crucial phrase "in thy name" signifies that the power and authority for this act derived from Jesus himself, not from the individual's own strength or a false source. This detail is key, as it validates the work being done.
* **"and he followeth not us:"**: This is the first of two identical reasons John gives for their intervention. It reveals the disciples' immediate concern: the individual's lack of formal affiliation with their specific group. Their focus was on human organizational boundaries rather than the divine source of the power or the beneficial outcome of the work.
* **"and we forbad him, because he followeth not us."**: The repetition of the reason ("because he followeth not us") underscores the disciples' singular, narrow justification for their action. They actively "forbad" (κωλύω, _kōlýō'_, to prevent or hinder) this person, demonstrating a possessive and exclusive attitude toward ministry, believing that only those formally associated with them had the right to act in Jesus' name.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs **Repetition** ("he followeth not us") to emphasize the disciples' primary concern and the narrowness of their perspective. This repetition highlights their sectarian mindset, revealing a preoccupation with group affiliation over the actual work of God. There is also a subtle **Irony** at play: the disciples, who have just been taught about humility and serving the least, are now attempting to hinder someone who is effectively serving others by casting out demons, simply because that person does not fit into their preconceived notion of who should be doing God's work. This creates a **Contrast** between the disciples' limited, human-centric view of ministry and Jesus' expansive, kingdom-focused perspective, which is revealed in the subsequent verses.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 9:38 serves as a potent reminder that God's work and kingdom are not confined to human-made structures, denominations, or exclusive groups. The efficacy of the exorcism, performed "in Jesus' name," validates the divine authority behind the act, regardless of the performer's formal affiliation with the disciples. This challenges the human tendency toward spiritual elitism and sectarianism, emphasizing that true authority flows from Christ alone and can be exercised by anyone genuinely operating under His commission and power. The passage teaches that the criterion for discerning true ministry is not adherence to a specific human organization, but faithfulness to Christ and the fruit of His Spirit.

* [Luke 9:49-50](/luke/9-49-50 "Luke 9:49-50 - Jesus Rebukes John's Exclusivity"): This parallel account in Luke's Gospel reinforces Jesus' teaching against forbidding those who work in His name.
* [Philippians 1:15-18](/philippians/1-15-18 "Philippians 1:15-18 - Paul Rejoices in Christ's Proclamation"): Paul's attitude toward those who preach Christ from impure motives, yet still proclaim Christ, echoes Jesus' principle of not hindering the spread of the gospel.
* [1 Corinthians 12:4-7](/1_corinthians/12-4-7 "1 Corinthians 12:4-7 - Diversity of Gifts, Unity in Spirit"): This passage highlights the diversity of spiritual gifts and ministries, all empowered by the same Spirit for the common good, underscoring that God works through many different individuals and expressions.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 9:38 offers a profound challenge to believers today, urging us to examine our own hearts for any traces of spiritual elitism, denominational pride, or a narrow, possessive view of God's work. In a fragmented Christian landscape, it is easy to fall into the trap of critiquing or even hindering ministries that operate outside our specific church, tradition, or preferred methods, simply because "they follow not us." This verse calls us to a radical inclusivity, recognizing that if Christ's name is honored, His power is evident, and His kingdom is advanced, then the work is legitimate and should be affirmed, not forbidden. It compels us to celebrate the diverse ways God is at work in the world, fostering unity around the person and mission of Jesus, rather than dividing over secondary affiliations or methodologies. Our primary allegiance must be to Christ and His global mission, not to our particular spiritual "club."

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where in my own life or in my church community do I see tendencies toward spiritual exclusivity or sectarianism?**
* **How can I better recognize and affirm the work of God in ministries or individuals who operate outside my immediate sphere of influence or tradition?**
* **What does it truly mean to "follow Jesus" in a way that transcends organizational boundaries and embraces the breadth of His kingdom?**

### FAQ

**Why did John and the other disciples forbid someone who was clearly doing good in Jesus' name?**

Answer: John and the other disciples forbade the man primarily because "he followeth not us" ([Mark 9:38](/mark/9-38 "Mark 9:38 - John's Exclusivity")). This reveals a common human tendency toward exclusivity and a desire to control who can perform ministry. They likely believed that only those formally associated with their immediate group, the twelve disciples, had the legitimate authority to act in Jesus' name. Their perspective was narrow, focusing on human affiliation rather than the divine source of power or the beneficial outcome of the work. Jesus' subsequent teaching ([Mark 9:39-40](/mark/9-39-40 "Mark 9:39-40 - Jesus' Teaching on Inclusivity")) directly corrects this, emphasizing that anyone who is not against Him is for Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The incident in Mark 9:38, and especially Jesus' response to it, powerfully foreshadows the expansive nature of Christ's kingdom and the universal reach of His authority. The disciples' narrow view, seeking to confine divine power to their immediate circle, contrasts sharply with Jesus' ultimate mission to redeem all nations ([Matthew 28:18-20](/matthew/28-18-20 "Matthew 28:18-20 - The Great Commission")). Jesus, as the sovereign Lord, possesses "all authority in heaven and on earth" ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - Jesus' Authority")), and His power is not limited by human organizational structures or affiliations. The Holy Spirit, promised by Christ, would later empower all believers, not just a select few, to continue His work in His name ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - The Promise of the Holy Spirit")). This passage ultimately points to Christ as the sole source of spiritual power and the head of a body ([Colossians 1:18](/colossians/1-18 "Colossians 1:18 - Christ as the Head of the Church")) far larger and more diverse than any single human group, demonstrating that genuine service to Him, regardless of the specific vessel, contributes to the advancement of His glorious and inclusive kingdom.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 9:49

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.

Luke 9:50

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

Numbers 11:26

But there remained two [of the] men in the camp, the name of the one [was] Eldad, and the name of the other Medad: and the spirit rested upon them; and they [were] of them that were written, but went not out unto the tabernacle: and they prophesied in the camp.

Numbers 11:29

And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the LORD'S people were prophets, [and] that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!

Luke 11:19

And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast [them] out? therefore shall they be your judges.