Bible Strands
Mark 9:41
Indeed, if anyone gives you even a cup of water because you bear the name of Christ, truly I tell you, he will never lose his reward.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses his disciples in Mark 9, positioned between the declaration that those who are not against the group are for it and the warning against causing believers to stumble. He speaks to them to establish the value of practical support toward his followers.
The words — The Greek phrase ποτὴριον ὕδατος (potērion hudatos) literally means "a cup of water," denoting a trivial, everyday provision. The verb ποτίσῃ (potisē) translates to "may give to drink," indicating a basic act of hospitality rather than a significant sacrifice.
The thread — This principle appears in Matthew 10:42 and Matthew 25:40, where providing to "the least of these" is treated as direct service to Christ. It connects to Romans 8:9, which defines the Spirit-indwelt community that receives such support.
Why it lands — The text states that even a minor act of practical support given to those bearing Christ's name guarantees an unlost reward. It requires readers to provide immediate, uncalculated help to Jesus' followers without demanding prior verification of their spiritual status.
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
For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.
Cross-references
- Matthew 10:42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is My disciple, truly I tell you, he will never lose his reward.”
- Matthew 25:40 And the King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’
- Romans 8:9 You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.
- Romans 14:15 If your brother is distressed by what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother, for whom Christ died.
- 1 Corinthians 15:23 But each in his own turn: Christ the firstfruits; then at His coming, those who belong to Him.
- Galatians 3:29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.
- Galatians 5:24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
- John 19:25 Near the cross of Jesus stood His mother and her sister, as well as Mary the wife of Clopas and Mary Magdalene.
- 1 Corinthians 3:23 and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.
- 2 Corinthians 10:7 You are looking at outward appearances. If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, he should remind himself that we belong to Christ just as much as he does.