Mark 9:33-41

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 9:36

And he took a child ,.... Which was in the house, and which he called unto him, and set by him, as the other evangelists observe: and set him in the midst of them ; his disciples, that all might see and learn from this instance; and when he had taken him in his arms ; and embraced him, to show his great regard to humility, and humble persons: he said unto them ; the following words. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 9:37

Whosoever shall receive one of such children ,.... That is, any believer, who is like to such a child for humility, meekness, and lowliness of mind; and so the Syriac version renders it, טליא איך הנא , "one like to this child": and so the Arabic and Persic versions; for it cannot be thought that Christ's meaning is, that whoever takes up any little child, embraces, and takes notice of it, as he did, does what is after related; but that whoever shows respect, and performs the least... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 9:38

And John answered him, saying ,.... Taking notice of what Christ just now said, and observing how well pleasing it was to him, to receive in a meek and humble manner, the least believer in his name; and reflecting upon an action, in which he and some of his fellow disciples were concerned, and which he perceived was not so agreeable to this rule of Christ, thought proper to relate it to him; that he might have his sense of it, and give him an opportunity of enlarging on a subject, so... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 9:39

But Jesus said, forbid him not ,.... Neither him, nor any other they should hereafter meet with, who might be casting out devils in his name, giving this as a reason for it; for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name ; or "miracles", as the Syriac version, as to cast out devils, or heal any sickness and disease, that can lightly speak evil of me : such a man can never reproach and blaspheme that name, which he makes use of in doing, and by which he does wonderful works;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 9:40

For he that is not against us, is on our part. Many copies read, "he that is not against you, is for you"; as this man; he was not against either Christ, or his disciples; he was doing the same work, promoting the same interest, and destroying the kingdom of Satan: and therefore, though he did not follow them, and had not his commission immediately from Christ; yet, inasmuch as he was opposing the same common enemy, and did nothing against them, he ought to be reckoned as one for them, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 9:41

For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink ,.... Not only one that does a miracle in the name of Christ, but he that shows the least respect, or does the least kindness to any one of his; See Gill on Matthew 10:42 ; is to be reckoned a friend, and is so accounted by Christ; and will be sooner or later taken notice of by him, especially, if what he does, be it ever so little, is done on his account: in my name, because ye belong to Christ ; or as the Syriac version renders it,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Mark 9:33

And being in the house - That is, Peter's house, where he ordinarily lodged. This has been often observed before. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Mark 9:34

Who should be the greatest - See on Matthew 18:1-5 ; (note). read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Mark 9:38

We saw one casting out devils in thy name - It can scarcely be supposed that a man who knew nothing of Christ, or who was only a common exorcist, could be able to work a miracle in Christ's name; we may therefore safely imagine that this was either one of John the Baptist's disciples, who, at his master's command, had believed in Jesus, or one of the seventy, whom Christ had sent out, Luke 10:1-7 , who, after he had fulfilled his commission, had retired from accompanying the other... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Mark 9:39

Forbid him not - If you meet him again, let him go on quietly in the work in which God owns him. If he were not of God, the demons would not be subject to him, and his work could not prosper. A spirit of bigotry has little countenance from these passages. There are some who are so outrageously wedded to their own creed, and religious system, that they would rather let sinners perish than suffer those who differ from them to become the instruments of their salvation. Even the good that is... read more

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