Mark 9:40

The negative parallel to this proverb is found in Luke 11:23. These two proverbs should be understood as complementary, not contradictory, for Luke includes them both (Luke 9:50; 11:23). The person who drove out demons in the name of Jesus was not against Jesus, but for him.

• An unknown person was driving out demons in the name of Jesus, even though he was not one of the twelve disciples (9:38–40). John objected, but Jesus corrected him.

• we tried to stop him: Compare 10:35–43; Luke 9:51–55.

• The success of the unknown person who drove out demons contrasts with the disciples' failure in the previous story (Mark 9:14–29).

The disciples did not understand the prediction Jesus made about his suffering. Because of this, they could not see what it meant for their own lives.

This section is the second cycle (see study note on 8:27–9:1) containing:

• a prediction about the suffering of Jesus (9:30–32),

• an error by the disciples (9:33–34), and

• teaching about discipleship (9:35–10:31).