Mark 9:38–50 For The One Who Is Not Against Us Is For Us

Mark 9:38–50 For The One Who Is Not Against Us Is For Us

Introduction

Within professional sports, there is a system where team staff compile videos of other teams’ rule violations and missed calls by officials in hopes of preventing similar mistakes in future games. Yet rarely—if ever—do those same teams submit footage of their own errors. They don’t ask to be penalized for fouls they committed. This kind of hypocrisy is natural to us. We are far quicker to highlight the faults of others than to examine ourselves.

In this passage, Jesus addresses this very instinct. He calls His disciples away from prideful exclusion and toward personal holiness—away from policing others and toward radical self-examination.

Background & Context

John came to Jesus with a concern:

“Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” (Mark 9:38)

This is a startling moment. Just prior, the disciples had failed to cast out a demon themselves (Mark 9:18), yet they attempted to silence someone else who was succeeding—simply because he wasn’t part of their inner circle. Their concern wasn’t doctrinal purity or misuse of Jesus’ name, but group exclusivity. They viewed ministry as a closed system.

Main Point

Jesus corrected their perspective:

“Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. For the one who is not against us is for us.” (Mark 9:39–40)

Jesus broadened their view of the kingdom. The work of God is not confined to a single group or denomination. If someone genuinely honors Christ and bears fruit in His name, we should rejoice—not resist. This moment echoes Numbers 11:29, when Joshua urged Moses to silence men prophesying outside the camp. But Moses replied, “Would that all the LORD’s people were prophets, that the LORD would put His Spirit on them!” (Numbers 11:29). Jesus, like Moses, is not threatened by others doing Spirit-filled ministry—He welcomes it.

Self-Examination Over Judgment

Jesus quickly shifts the focus. Rather than fixating on others, the disciples should be deeply concerned about their own witness:

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.” (Mark 9:42)

This sobering warning isn’t just about children—it applies to any believer who is spiritually vulnerable. Leading others into sin, especially through pride, legalism, or abuse of authority, is a serious offense. Jesus’ language is intense because the consequences are eternal.

The Call to Sacrifice and Holiness

Jesus then delivers a jarring call to personal holiness:

“If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off... If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off... If your eye causes you to sin, tear it out...” (Mark 9:43–47)

This is not a literal call to mutilation but a vivid wake-up call. Why such brash language? Because sin is not neutral—it is rebellion against God. Better to lose a limb than lose your soul. Jesus spoke this way to shock dead hearts into seriousness about sin. We cannot follow Jesus with one eye fixed on the sin we refuse to let go.

“For everyone will be salted with fire.” (Mark 9:49)

This cryptic statement likely refers to the refining nature of suffering and the purifying work of holiness. In Leviticus 2:13, all offerings were to be seasoned with salt. In the same way, followers of Jesus are to be living sacrifices—purified through trials, committed to holiness, and seasoned by grace (Romans 12:1).

Not every hardship is the same. Some suffering comes from our own sin, some from a hostile world that hates Christ (John 15:18–19), some from the enemy’s attacks (Ephesians 6:12), and some simply from life in a cursed world (Genesis 3:17–19). But for the Christian, all of it can be used by God: to prune idols, build perseverance, deepen faith, and cause us to long for Christ’s return (Romans 8:22–25).

Now for the believer, all of these—whether we like them or not—can become tools in the hands of God. Tools that produce spiritual maturity, that break our self-reliance, that expose our idols, that grow our hunger for eternity. In a world full of pain, the Christian bears good fruit not by avoiding trials but by trusting Christ through them.

The Unity of the Church Around Christ

The disciples’ impulse to exclude others reveals something deeper: they were still thinking about Jesus’ kingdom as a territorial, earthly reign. But Jesus was building a global family. The 12 tribes of Israel had different lands and customs, even dialects—but they were called to worship one God, under one covenant. Denominations today may be similar in some ways—distinctives in structure or practice, but united in the essentials of faith.

What matters most is not baptism style or church government—it is Christ Himself. Who He is. What He has done. What He promises. Abraham believed God and was justified by faith (Genesis 15:6). He didn’t partake in the sacraments we now enjoy, but he is our father in the faith. What unites us is not ritual, but the risen Lamb whom we worship. Every tribe, tongue, and nation gathered around the throne (Revelation 7:9–10)—not because we had identical theology, but because we trusted the same Savior.

Conclusion

This passage is a call to humility, holiness, and unity. Instead of gatekeeping the kingdom, we are called to examine ourselves. Instead of spotlighting others’ failures, we are called to deal radically with our own sin. Instead of measuring greatness by who belongs to our group, we are called to follow the Servant-King who laid down His life.

“Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.” (Mark 9:50)

This is true greatness: to be refined by fire, seasoned by grace, and united under the banner of Christ.

Scripture References

  1. Mark 9:38 – John reports that someone outside their group was casting out demons in Jesus’ name.
  2. Mark 9:39–40 – Jesus corrects the disciples, stating that those not against Him are for Him.
  3. Numbers 11:29 – Moses responds to Joshua’s jealousy over others prophesying, affirming that God’s Spirit is not limited to one group.
  4. Mark 9:42 – Jesus warns against leading others into sin, calling it a severe offense.
  5. Mark 9:43–47 – Jesus urges radical action to remove sin from our lives, using metaphorical language to emphasize the seriousness of sin.
  6. Leviticus 2:13 – All grain offerings were to be salted, symbolizing purity and preservation.
  7. Romans 12:1 – Paul encourages Christians to present their lives as a sacrifice to God, living in holiness.
  8. Genesis 3:17–19 – The world is under a curse, and we toil through hardship and suffering.
  9. Romans 8:22–25 – Creation groans for redemption, and believers wait eagerly for full adoption and restoration.
  10. Revelation 7:9–10 – A vision of every tribe, tongue, and nation worshiping Christ together.
  11. John 15:18–19 – Jesus warns that the world will hate His followers because it hated Him first.
  12. Ephesians 6:12 – Our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil.
  13. Genesis 15:6 – Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.

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