Mark 9:38 (ASV)

Passage

John said unto him, Teacher, we saw one casting out demons in thy name; and we forbade him, because he followed not us.

Nearby Context

Mark 9:36 And he took a little child, and set him in the midst of them: and taking him in his arms, he said unto them,

Mark 9:37 Whosoever shall receive one of such little children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever receiveth me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.

Mark 9:38 John said unto him, Teacher, we saw one casting out demons in thy name; and we forbade him, because he followed not us.

Mark 9:39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man who shall do a mighty work in my name, and be able quickly to speak evil of me.

Mark 9:40 For he that is not against us is for us.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "john", "said", "teacher", "casting", "demons", "name", "forbade", and "followed". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "john" and "said", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 37's "Whosoever shall receive one of such little..." into verse 39's "But Jesus said Forbid him not for...", so "john" and "said" belong inside that flow. In Mark context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "john" and "said" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.