Luke 9:49

Luke 9:49, in plain English

John said, 'Master, we saw someone driving out demons in Your name and we tried to stop him because he is not one of us.'

Why it's here

The disciples wanted an exclusive club. If you were not in their group, you could not use Jesus' name. Jesus was about to teach them that His kingdom is bigger than any one group.

Who's speaking

John tells Jesus about the unauthorized exorcist.

Where it sits in the story

John thought he was protecting Jesus' brand: someone outside their group was using His name to cast out demons. They tried to shut him down, thinking they alone had the right to represent Jesus.

The scholarly reading

John reports encountering tina en tō onomati sou ekballonta daimonia ('someone casting out demons in Your name') whom they ekōlyomen ('tried to stop') because ouk akolouthei meth' hēmōn ('he does not follow with us'). The issue is unauthorized use of Jesus' name outside the recognized disciple group.

Language and setting

This episode follows naturally from the greatness dispute, revealing another form of exclusivism. John's concern reflects a territorial attitude toward spiritual authority, assuming only the Twelve had legitimate access to Jesus' power.

Voice

John reports to Jesus about an unauthorized exorcist they encountered.

Significance

John reported that the disciples had tried to stop someone casting out demons in Jesus' name because the person was not part of their group, revealing a possessive attitude toward Jesus' authority.

47But Jesus, knowing the thoughts of their hearts, had a little child stand beside Him.

48And He said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in My name welcomes Me, and whoever welcomes Me welcomes the One who sent Me. For whoever is the least among all of you, he is the greatest.”

49“Master,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in Your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not accompany us.”

50“Do not stop him,” Jesus replied, “for whoever is not against you is for you.”

51As the day of His ascension approached, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.

Read all of Luke 9 — Peter confesses, the Transfiguration blazes, and Jesus sets his face toward Jerusalem. Everything from here moves toward the cross.