Mark 9:42 ESV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Mark 9:41-50

Here, I. Christ promiseth a reward to all those that are any way kind to his disciples (Mark 9:41); ?Whosoever shall give you a cup of water, when you need it, and will be a refreshment to you, because ye belong to Christ, and are of his family, he shall not lose his reward.? Note, 1. It is the honour and happiness of Christians, that they belong to Christ, they have joined themselves to him, and are owned by him; they wear his livery and retainers to his family; nay, they are more nearly... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Mark 9:41-42

9:41-42 Whoever gives you a cup of water to drink on the ground that you belong to Christ, I tell you truly he will not lose his reward. And whoever puts a stumbling-block in the path of one of these little ones who believe in me, it is better for him that a great millstone hang about his neck and he be cast into the sea. The teaching of this passage is simple, unmistakable and salutary. (i) It declares that any kindness shown, any help given, to the people of Christ will not lose its... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 9:42

And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me ,.... Whosoever shall do the, least injury to the meanest person that believes in Christ, who are mean both in their own eyes, and the eyes of others; for Christ is not speaking of little children in age, who are neither capable of believing in Christ, nor are they ready to take offence; but of such as belong to him; his disciples and followers, of whom he is speaking in the preceding verse: it is better for him that a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 9:38-42

The comprehensiveness of Christ's service. The connection with what preceded is to be sought in John's keen sense of having transgressed the spirit of the beautiful words just uttered. Christ Would acknowledge all who professed his name; John had to confess that he had forbidden such a one from working. This leads to Christ's indicating— I. MARKS OF HIS TRUE SERVANTS . The general link between the several classes is his "Name," i.e. conscious oneness and sympathy with him... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 9:38-50

Stumbling-blocks. The same spirit which had led to the disputing as to "who was the greatest," had prompted the forbidding of one who, in Jesus' Name, was "casting out devils." The only reason assigned for the authoritative prohibition was, "He followed not us." If to pride envy succeeds, and if hatred lurks near to envy, malice is not afar off. The simple correction, "Forbid him not," is supported by the assurance that such a one cannot quickly become an enemy—"speak evil of me;" and "he... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 9:38-50

Marked sins. There are some sins which are singled out for peculiar denunciation by the Spirit and Word of Christ. They are extremely opposed to the ends and purport of the kingdom. I. INTOLERANCE . That is, the hindering of good, because the good is not done in our way. Christianity says the good deed justifies itself. Coming from a good source, it is not likely to be associated with evil opinions or teaching. Any one who does good nowadays may be said virtually to do it in the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 9:42

This verse stands out as the severe antithesis to what has gone before. As he who receives and encourages Christ's little ones and those who are like little children and believe in him, receives him, and so shall receive from him the glorious rewards of Heaven; so, on the contrary, whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in Christ is guilty of deadly sin; and it were better for him if a great millstone ( μύλος ὀνικός )—literally, a millstone so large as to require... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 9:42-50

Warnings. With these solemn words our Lord closed his arduous and faithful ministry in Galilee. Christ's language was usually language of grace and encouragement; but there were occasions, like the present, when he spoke words of faithful warning in tones almost of severity. Yet it should be noted that these admonitions were addressed to his own disciples, and were intended to quicken their spiritual sensibility, and to induce them to use with diligence the privileges with which they were... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 9:42-50

Parallel passage: Matthew 18:6-9 . Christ's love to his little ones, and offenses. I. Love to the little ones. Christ's little ones are either young believers or weak believers. A kindness shown them is accepted by Christ as done to himself. Even a cup of cold water will be rewarded. However much they may be despised by men or neglected in the world, they are dear to God and near to the Savior's heart; while angels of highest rank are commissioned to guard them—even angels who are... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Mark 9:42-50

See the notes at Matthew 18:7-9. Millstone. See Matthew 18:6.Mark 9:44-46Their worm - This figure is taken from Isaiah 66:24. See the notes at that passage. In describing the great prosperity. of the kingdom of the Messiah, Isaiah says that the people of God “shall go forth, and look upon the carcasses of the men who have transgressed against God.” Their enemies would be overcome. They would be slain. The people of God would triumph. The figure is taken from heaps of the dead slain in battle;... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Mark 9:41-50

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Mark 9:41-42

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 9:42

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 9:38-42

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 9:38-50

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 9:38-50

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 9:42

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 9:42-50

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 9:42-50

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Mark 9:42-50

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