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 KJV)
Anyone Not Against Us Is for Us
Jesus rebukes his disciples for devaluing others outside their group. While striving among themselves for greatness, they would not allow those outside their fellowship to have any value. John reported to him how they had forbidden a man from using Christ’s name to cast out demons because he was not part of their group. Though they were ashamed of their contest for greatness, they seemed to boast of this exercise of authority, expecting Jesus would commend them for it (Mark 9:38).
It was strange that someone who was not a professed disciple should have power to cast out demons in Christ’s name, for that seemed reserved for those he called (Mark 6:7). Some think he was a disciple of John, using the name of the Messiah without knowing Jesus was he. More likely, he believed Jesus to be the Christ as the other disciples did. Why should he not receive that power from Christ, whose Spirit moves freely without the formal call the apostles had? Perhaps there were many more like him. Christ’s grace is not confined to the visible church.
It was also strange that someone casting out demons in Christ’s name did not join the apostles but continued apart from them. Perhaps he was unwilling to leave everything behind to follow them, and if so, that was a wrong principle. The situation did not look ideal, and so the disciples forbade him from using Christ’s name unless he would follow with them. This was like Joshua’s motion about Eldad and Medad, who prophesied in the camp without going to the tabernacle: “My lord Moses, forbid them” (Numbers 11:28).
We are often quick to imagine that those who do not follow Christ exactly as we do, do not follow him at all, and that those who do not act exactly like us do nothing right. But the Lord knows those who are his, however they may be dispersed. This instance gives us a needed caution to avoid being carried away by an excessive zeal for church unity, to the point of opposing efforts that, though different, still advance the true interests of the church.
Jesus rebuked them for this (Mark 9:39): “Do not forbid him.” This was like Moses’ rebuke to Joshua: “Are you jealous for my sake?” (Numbers 11:29). Good works must not be forbidden, even if there are defects or irregularities in how they are done. Casting out demons, destroying Satan’s kingdom, doing so in Christ’s name, preaching against sin, and preaching up Christ are all good things and must not be prohibited, simply because they are not done exactly our way. If Christ is preached, Paul rejoices (Philippians 1:18).
There are two reasons Christ gives why such should not be forbidden. First, this is because it is unlikely that anyone who uses Christ’s name to work miracles would soon blaspheme it, as the scribes and Pharisees did. There were those who worked miracles but were still workers of iniquity, but they did not speak evil of Christ.
Second, because even if there is a difference in fellowship, as long as they agree to fight Satan under Christ’s banner, they are on the same side. “Whoever is not against us is for us” (Mark 9:40). As to the great controversy between Christ and Beelzebub, he had said, “Whoever is not with me is against me” (Matthew 12:30)—he who will not own Christ owns Satan. But regarding those who own Christ, even if they do not walk with us, we must reckon them as on our side, and we must not hinder their usefulness.