Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Mark 9:38-40
Mark 9:38-40. And John answered him As if he had said, But ought we to receive those who follow not us? Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name Probably this was one of John the Baptist’s disciples, who believed in Jesus, though he did not yet associate with our Lord’s disciples. And we forbade him, because he followeth not us How often is the same temper found in us! How readily do we also lust to envy! But how ill does that spirit become a disciple, much more a minister,... read more
The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 9:40
For he that is not against us is for us . In St. Matthew ( Matthew 12:30 ) we find our Lord using a somewhat similar expression, only in an inverted order. He there says, "He that is not with me is against me." The lesson which both these apothegms teach is the same, that there is no such thing as neutrality in reference to Christ and his cause. We must be either with him or against him. Dr. Morison on St. Mark in this place says, "When in applied morals we sit in judgment on ourselves, we... read more