Bible Strands
Mark 9:39
“Do not stop him,” Jesus replied. “For no one who performs a miracle in My name can turn around and speak evil of Me.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus replies to John and the disciples as they report attempting to halt an unauthorized exorcist. He addresses their restrictive impulse during a conversation about spiritual authority.
The words — κωλύετε (kōlyete) translates literally to "do forbid" or "stop," and οὐδεὶς (oudeis) means "no one." Jesus pairs these terms to command an end to their interference and to state a universal principle about miracles performed in His name.
The thread — The concept of genuine confession appearing in 1 Corinthians 12:3 and Christ being preached regardless of motive in Philippians 1:18 tracks with the immediate context of Mark 9:40. The passage links outward spiritual action to inward alignment with Jesus.
Why it lands — The text states that effective action in Jesus' name cannot produce lasting hostility toward Him. It requires readers to abandon territorial control over ministry and to judge efficacy rather than 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
But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.
Cross-references
- 1 Corinthians 12:3 Therefore I inform you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
- 1 Corinthians 13:1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal.
- Philippians 1:18 What then is the issue? Just this: that in every way, whether by false motives or true, Christ is preached. And in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,
- Matthew 7:22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’
- Matthew 13:28 ‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. So the servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’
- Mark 10:13 Now people were bringing the little children to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them, and the disciples rebuked those who brought them.
- 1 Corinthians 9:27 No, I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
- Acts 19:13 Now there were some itinerant Jewish exorcists who tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those with evil spirits. They would say, “I command you by Jesus, whom Paul proclaims.”