COMMENTARY ON MARK
LESSON NUMBER 103
“ Mark 9:38 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. 39 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. 40 For he that is not against us is on our part.” (Mark 9:38-40; Luke 9:49-50)
ONE IS SEEN CASTING OUT DEMONS
INTRODUCTION
The ministry of Jesus, when He dwelt among men in the flesh, is summarized in a variety of ways. “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him” (Acts 10:38). “Jesus of Nazareth, a Man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by Him” (Acts 2:22). “God was manifest in the flesh” (1 Tim 3:16). “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching . . . preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people” (Matt 4:23). “And He said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth” (Mark 1:38). Much of this pertained to Christ’s public ministry, which exposed men to the manner of the Kingdom and the nature of God, thus preparing them for the announcement of salvation. However, there was another dimension of Christ’s ministry that pertained exclusively to His disciples – particularly “the twelve.” He shared precious nuggets of truth with them that others did not hear. Our text provides one of those nuggets – insights into the nature of God’s dealings with men that is known by precious few people. There is a certain purity in it that completely eludes the carnal mind – particularly the carnal religious mind. However, as with all of Christ’s words, a precise representation of the case in point is provided. This is not a parable, but the affirmation of a condition that exists before God Himself. If it clashes with human perceptions, it is because those perceptions are wrong, and thus are to be abandoned.
ONE IS SEEN CASTING OUT DEMONS WHO IS NOT WITH THEM
“ Mk 9:38 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.”
JOHN ANSWERED HIM. Jesus had just said, “Whosoever shall receive one of such children in My name, receiveth Me: and whosoever shall receive Me, receiveth not Me, but him that sent Me” (Mark 9:37). What kind of thoughts did this saying spawn in the disciples? How did they perceive His words? Of course, any perception of Jesus’ words that is at variance with His meaning cannot possibly be true. In the heavenly Kingdom, there is absolutely no provision for human opinion. This is because human thoughts, apart from faith, are degenerative in nature. The “carnal mind,” which is the mind operating independently of the Holy Spirit, and “the natural man,” which is the man without the Holy spirit, cannot traffic in the truth as it is in Jesus (Rom 8:7; 1 Cor 2:14; Eph 4:21). Now John will recount an experience that, at the time, he felt confirms what Jesus has just said about receiving Him.
WE SAW ONE. John apparently fastens on the words “receiveth Me,” and “whosoever shall receive Me.” There are two possible views of this text. First, John recounts the experience because he feels that it is perfectly harmonious with what Jesus has said. Second, that John sensed the action he describes was not harmonious with what Jesus said, and therefore in relating it he seeks for Jesus to elaborate on the subject. I am inclined to the latter view. It seems to me that John assessed their deeds in view of this word of Jesus, and now questions the validity of their action. At least, what they did does not appear now as it did before.
The disciples had seen a man “casting out demons” in Jesus’ name, yet that person was not following Jesus with the twelve. This record has caused great confusion among the expositors of Scripture. Some feel that the man was acting rashly, and was doing wrong (Calvin). Others think it was a disciple of John who had believed on Jesus (Barnes). The disciples, for whom John spoke, did not think the deed of the person was acceptable, as the following expression confirms. We ought to add that prior to this, nine of the disciples had failed in their attempt to cast out a demon (9:18,28), which sharply contrasted with this man’s success.
WE FORBADE HIM. “We forbade him because he does not follow us.” NKJV Other versions read, “we tried to hinder him because he was not following us,” NASB and “we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.” NIV Prior to being “endued with power,” the disciples often spoke to others in improper ways. Once they “rebuked” people for bringing their “little children” to Jesus, “that he might put His hands on them, and pray” (Matt 19:13). Another time those going before Jesus to prepare the way for Him rebuked Bartimaeus for crying out for mercy (Lk 18:39). Another time they counseled Jesus to send away a woman from Canaan who was seeking mercy for her daughter (Matt 15:23). Yet another time they asked Jesus to send away a multitude that had been following them, so they could “buy victuals” (Matt 14:15). Now John divulges something the disciples had done on their own, taking upon themselves to speak for Jesus. Knowing all things (Matt 9:4; 12:25; Mk 2:8; John 2:24; 18:4), Jesus already knew what they had done, but had waited for them to bring the matter up before dealing with it.
The disciples had obviously forgotten an experience recorded in the writings of Moses. The Spirit of God is said to have “rested” upon two men named Eldad and Medad. Although they were listed among the elders, or leaders, of Israel, they “went not unto the tabernacle,” but prophesied “in the camp.” Upon seeing this, “there ran a young man, and told Moses, and said, Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp” (Num 11:27). Joshua, himself a godly man, said to Moses, “My lord Moses, forbid them.” Surely this was not proper, for the tabernacle was the center of all godly activity among the Israelites. How could the conduct of these two men possibly be acceptable? – at least that is how Joshua reasoned at the time. Moses, who had more insight than Joshua, replied, “Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the LORD'S people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!” (Num 11:26-29).
It is a grand day when we come to realize that God’s kingdom is wider than our own experience. This is one of the many reasons it is wrong to live unto ourselves, shrinking down our world so that it fits within our own immediate experience. Truth has a greater application than to our own persons. In our time, men have become so accustomed to living with division and sects that they find it quite easy to completely overlook legitimate works that are being done for the Lord, only because the individual is not identified with them – “not one of us.” NIV
It is not possible for the work of one legitimate servant of Christ to be threatened by the work of another. That would introduce a kingdom that was “divided against itself,” and the Kingdom of Christ is not such a kingdom (Lk 11:17). One of the sure marks of spiritual Babylon is competition within – one part competing with another part. Where this condition exists, some semblance of unity can only be achieved by compromise. Even then, it is only in the interest of the institution – like the Pharisees and Sadducees, whose theology differed (Acts 23:8), yet they joined together in their opposition to Christ (Matt 16:1), and to Paul (Acts 23:6).
FORBID HIM NOT!
“ 39 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.”
How will Jesus answer John? Will He sanction the spirit that has been revealed in the disciples response to the man casting out demons, even though he had not joined with the disciples? This is of particular importance because of the prominence of this kind of thinking in our time.
FORBID HIM NOT. Other versions read, “Do not hinder him!” NASB “Do not stop him!” NIV and “Do not restrain or hinder or forbid him.” AMPLIFIED Whatever the disciples thought about this man not having joined them, Jesus said not to hinder him – not to tell him he could not continue to cast out demons. Among other things, this confirms that the man really was casting out demons. He was not like the sons of Sceva, who tried in vain to do such a work (Acts 19:14-15).
It is evident that although this man had not been traveling with the disciples and Jesus, he was not unfamiliar with the Lord. He was casting out demons in the name of Christ, and therefore was in some effective way associated with Him. We know from the incident with the sons of Sceva that the demons do not respond to simply calling out religious formulae.
We are to take serious this word to cease from interfering with good deeds. Many are the preachers and teachers who have been told to stop preaching this or that because it does not agree with a sectarian creed, or is too controversial.
DOING A MIRACLE IN JESUS’ NAME. Other versions read, “who does a deed of power in My name.” NRSV and “who does a mighty work in My name.” AMPLIFIED Keep in mind that this was being done prior to Pentecost, prior to the pouring forth of the Holy Spirit, and prior to the dispensing of spiritual gifts (Eph 4:8). Yet, the legitimacy of this man’s extraordinary work is confirmed by Jesus’ defense of him.
Some dismiss this whole matter by simply saying no man can really work a miracle today, for, they aver, that ability has passed away. However, in this text, apart from Jesus and His direct involvement with others, such a day had not yet come. Yet, here was a man doing a miracle in Jesus’ name, yet maintaining no apparent, or public, identity with Him. This again confirms that the Kingdom of God extends beyond the personal interests and involvements of ourselves. That is why the circumference of thought must reach further than the small periphery of our own lives.
Right here, it will be well to note Paul’s response to those who preached Christ out of ignoble motives. “Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice” (Phil 1:15-18). That is a difficult saying for some to receive, for it threatens their imagined exclusiveness. It ought to be noted that the ones to which Paul referred were not preaching “another Jesus.” It is not their message that was questionable, but their motives. Paul knew that such men would be called into account for their motives. However, he would not forbid them to preach Christ.
LIGHTLY SPEAKING EVIL OF JESUS. “Lightly” means quickly or immediately. Other versions read, “soon afterward speak evil of Me,” NKJV and “in the next moment say anything bad about Me.” NIV That is, those who work in the name of Jesus do not turn around and speak evil of Him.
There is a principle to be seen here that is most comforting. As we become involved in the work of the Lord, doing it “heartily,” we become the more endeared to Him. This is because our reliance upon the Lord becomes more firm as we labor together with Him (1 Cor 3:9). This, in turn, is owing to the nature of the work of the Lord. It is something that cannot be accomplished in the energy of the flesh. “Doing the will of the Lord from the heart” (Eph 6:6) requires faith, which is the means through which grace comes to us. It also requires Divine resources, which can only be appropriated “through the knowledge of Him that called us to glory and virtue” (2 Pet 1:3). Kingdom activity cannot be accomplished mechanically, or in an impersonal way, without conscious involvement with the Living God. It also ought to be noted that there is a phenomenal amount of religious activity that has nothing whatsoever to do with the will or work of the Lord. It is nothing more than the activity of religious flesh.
By the same token, when a professing Christian is not engaged in “the work of the Lord,” actually “abounding in the same,” faith begins to deteriorate and spiritual life begins to wane. If we are not productive, we are “barren and unfruitful,” which amounts to falling away (2 Pet 1:8; Heb 6:1-6). Within this in mind, it becomes apparent why Jesus said the disciples should not hinder the man who was casting out demons in His name. He was working together with Jesus, being empowered by Him. That is the nature of genuine Kingdom work.
HE THAT IS NOT AGAINST US
“ 40 For he that is not against us is on our part.” Other versions read, “For he who is not against us is on our side,” NKJV and “he who is not against us is for us.” NASB Luke also records that Jesus said, “for he that is not against us is for us”(Luke 9:50). Similarly, Jesus also said at another time, “He that is not with Me is against Me; and he that gathereth not with Me scattereth abroad” (Mat 12:30). There is a sense in which all men are either for Christ or against Him. They are either gathering with Him or wasting their time, living in vain. In this sense, there is no middle ground or gray area.
HE THAT IS NOT AGAINST US. This is a condition that must be perceived, else we will find ourselves opposing those who belong to Christ. Of course, those who live at a distance from the Lord do not look at people as being for or against Christ Himself and His people. They can only think in terms of the institution, with dividing lines that have been invented by men. Where there is a lack of acquaintance with the Lord and His ways, flawed judgments and foolish actions are inevitable.
In other words, the person who is doing a good work, [as in this case] successfully opposing the work of Satan, is not against Christ or His people. Destroying the kingdom of Satan cannot possibly be a work of the devil. Elsewhere Jesus said, “How can Satan cast out Satan? And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end” (Mark 3:23-26). Satan is not opposed to himself, and his kingdom is not divided. The devil’s kingdom will not fall because of division. Rather, it will be destroyed by the Kingdom of God. Failure will be imposed upon him and his kingdom of darkness. He will be taken and cast into the lake of fire (Rev 20:10).
And, who is the person who is against Christ and His people? That condition cannot be determined by fleshly analysis or carnal scholarship and inquiry. Some would imagine that Apollos, who was “an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures,” was actually “against” Christ because he knew “only the baptism of John.” However, Aquilla and Priscilla saw in Apollos a friend, not a foe. Upon bringing him into their house and expounding unto him “the way of God more perfectly,” they found that was precisely what he was – a friend (Acts 18:24-26). A person who is “against” Christ is working against Him, laboring to establish things that have nothing to do with Christ. They have a different agenda, a different will, and a differing affection. Their God is their belly, or their earthly appetites, and they mind earthly things (Phil 3:19). They speak of this world, not the one to come (1 John 4:5). Rather than crucifying the flesh, such people culture and nurture the flesh, delighting in appetites that have wed them to “this present evil world.”
Such individuals can be incorrect about certain matters they have not yet seen – such as Apollos. But they will not be wrong about Jesus, and they will be open to His tutelage and inclined to His will. They will not speak evil of Jesus or question His judgment. It does require spiritual discernment to detect the one who is “not against” Christ or His people. At the time of our text, the disciples were not yet able to make this distinction, and therefore they had instructed a man who was freeing people from Satanic dominion to stop his work.
HE THAT IS ON OUR PART. What can be said of the person who is “not against” Christ and His people? Jesus unequivocally said, “he is on our part,” or “on our side.” NKJV In reference to Christ, therefore, there is no neutrality. Men are either for Him or against Him. They are either on His side, or are fighting against Him. There is a sense in which all who openly side with the truth bring benefit to us. It is true that this benefit is measured by the amount of truth that they publicly uphold, and the nature of the work they do. Yet, I am sure that you have realized some spiritual gain from those whose total doctrine you could not accept.
The condition of which Jesus speaks is one in which we do not go about trying to find fault in people – seeking for an occasion to withdraw from them. Here the rule of charity applies: “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things” (1 Cor 13:4-7).
Admittedly, this view is extremely difficult to accept for those who dwell in the flesh. However, for those who walk in the Spirit and live by faith, it brings rejoicing to the heart that we are able to acknowledge the validity of any blow struck to Satan’s kingdom in the name of Jesus – which is what our text concerns. This is not talking about false gospels, but about good deeds that result in men being freed from the tyranny of the devil. We will not call for the cessation of any work that, in the name of Jesus, brings disadvantages to the kingdom of darkness, or one that tends to bring glory to the Lord Jesus. Our love of the truth and desire for Christ’s honor will assist us in making proper determinations in such matters.