Bible Strands
Mark 9:38
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.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — John addresses Jesus as "Teacher" to report that the disciples attempted to prevent an unidentified exorcist from casting out demons in Jesus' name. This occurs immediately after Jesus teaches that welcoming a child in His name equals welcoming God Himself.
The words — The Greek λέγων (legōn) renders "saying," and διδάσκαλε (didaskale) translates literally as "Teacher," framing John's report as a direct appeal to Jesus' authority.
The thread — This incident parallels Luke 9:49, which records the same conversation, while Numbers 11:26 provides an Old Testament pattern where the Spirit operates outside the central camp leadership, and Luke 11:19 later addresses the logical consistency of exorcism by opposing powers.
Why it lands — The text records Jesus' prohibition against exclusive spiritual ownership, requiring the reader to abandon tribal control over divine action and recognize that effective ministry in His name does not require institutional affiliation.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Luke 9:49 “Master,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in Your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not accompany us.”
- Numbers 11:26 Two men, however, had remained in the camp—one named Eldad and the other Medad—and the Spirit rested on them. They were among those listed, but they had not gone out to the tent, and they prophesied in the camp.
- Luke 11:19 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons drive them out? So then, they will be your judges.