SEV Biblia, Chapter 9:38
Y le respondi Juan, diciendo: Maestro, hemos visto a uno que en tu nombre echaba fuera los demonios, el cual no nos sigue; y se lo prohibimos, porque no nos seguía.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Mark 9:38
Verse 38. We saw one casting out devils in thy name] It can scarcely be supposed that a man who knew nothing of Christ, or who was only a common exorcist, could be able to work a miracle in Christ's name; we may therefore safely imagine that this was either one of John the Baptist's disciples, who, at his master's command, had believed in Jesus, or one of the seventy, whom Christ had sent out, Luke x. 1-7, who, after he had fulfilled his commission, had retired from accompanying the other disciples; but as he still held fast his faith in Christ, and walked in good conscience, the influence of his Master still continued with him, so that he could cast out demons as well as the other disciples. He followeth not us] This first clause is omitted by BCL, three others, Syriac, Armenian, Persic, Coptic, and one of the Itala. Some of the MSS.
and versions leave out the first; some the second clause: only one of them is necessary. Griesbach leaves out the first.
We forbade him] I do not see that we have any right to attribute any other motive to John than that which he himself owns-because he followed not us-because he did not attach himself constantly to thee, as we do, we thought he could not be in a proper spirit.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 38. And John answered him, saying , etc..] Taking notice of what Christ just now said, and observing how well pleasing it was to him, to receive in a meek and humble manner, the least believer in his name; and reflecting upon an action, in which he and some of his fellow disciples were concerned, and which he perceived was not so agreeable to this rule of Christ, thought proper to relate it to him; that he might have his sense of it, and give him an opportunity of enlarging on a subject, so suitable to the temper and disposition of this beloved disciple. Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name : very likely he called him Rabbi, as the Syriac version renders it, or Rabboni, as in ( John 20:16), a title commonly given to Christ, both by his disciples and others: the case related, very probably happened, when the disciples being sent forth by Christ to preach the Gospel and cast out devils, took a tour through Judea and Galilee, where they saw this man. John was not alone; there were others with him, at least another, who was an eyewitness with him; for the apostles were sent out, by two and two: who this man was, is not said, his name is not mentioned, perhaps was unknown to the apostles; though Beza says, in one ancient exemplar it is read, we knew one. This person not only attempted to cast out devils, but really did; and that more than one; but in which of Christ's names he did it, is not expressed; if in the name of the Messiah, Dr. Lightfoot's conjecture may be right, that he was one of John's disciples; who had been baptized in the name of the Messiah, that was just expected to come; to whom, as to others of his disciples, was given a power of casting out devils, to make the way of the Messiah more plain; wherefore the reason why he did not cast out devils in the name of Jesus, but in the name of the Messiah, and did not follow him, nor his disciples, was not out of contempt, but ignorance, not knowing that Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah: or if he cast out devils in the name of Jesus, which seems most likely, he might be, as others think, a disciple of John's, who really did believe in Jesus, though he did not associate with, his disciples, but continued with the disciples of John: wherefore it is said, and he followeth not us ; was neither one of the twelve apostles; nor one of the seventy disciples; nor even one of the lower class of the professed disciples of Jesus. This clause is omitted in the Syriac, Arabic, Persic, and Ethiopic versions: and we forbad him ; going on in this way, casting out any more devils: because he followeth, not us ; was not one of their company, nor any of Christ's disciples; who had received no authority and commission from Christ, to do what he did: wherefore they feared, that by such an irregular way of proceeding, the dignity of Christ would be lessened, and some dishonour and reproach reflected on him: and besides the honour of Christ, they might consult their own; and their case be too much like that of Joshua, when Eldad and Medad prophesied in the camp. This clause is left out in the Vulgate Latin, but stands in all the eastern versions.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 30-40 - The time of Christ's suffering drew nigh. Had he been delivered int the hands of devils, and they had done this, it had not been s strange; but that men should thus shamefully treat the Son of man, wh came to redeem and save them, is wonderful. Still observe that when Christ spake of his death, he always spake of his resurrection, whic took the reproach of it from himself, and should have taken the grie of it from his disciples. Many remain ignorant because they are ashame to inquire. Alas! that while the Saviour teaches so plainly the thing which belong to his love and grace, men are so blinded that the understand not his sayings. We shall be called to account about ou discourses, and to account for our disputes, especially about being greater than others. Those who are most humble and self-denying, mos resemble Christ, and shall be most tenderly owned by him. This Jesu taught them by a sign; whoever shall receive one like this child receives me. Many have been like the disciples, ready to silence me who have success in preaching to sinners repentance in Christ's name because they follow not with them. Our Lord blamed the apostles reminding them that he who wrought miracles in his name would not be likely to hurt his cause. If sinners are brought to repent, to believ in the Saviour, and to live sober, righteous, and godly lives, we the see that the Lord works by the preacher.
Greek Textus Receptus
απεκριθη 611 5662 V-ADI-3S δε 1161 CONJ αυτω 846 P-DSM ο 3588 T-NSM ιωαννης 2491 N-NSM λεγων 3004 5723 V-PAP-NSM διδασκαλε 1320 N-VSM ειδομεν 1492 5627 V-2AAI-1P τινα 5100 X-ASM {VAR2: εν 1722 PREP } τω 3588 T-DSN ονοματι 3686 N-DSN σου 4675 P-2GS εκβαλλοντα 1544 5723 V-PAP-ASM δαιμονια 1140 N-APN ος 3739 R-NSM ουκ 3756 PRT-N ακολουθει 190 5719 V-PAI-3S ημιν 2254 P-1DP και 2532 CONJ εκωλυσαμεν 2967 5656 V-AAI-1P αυτον 846 P-ASM οτι 3754 CONJ ουκ 3756 PRT-N ακολουθει 190 5719 V-PAI-3S ημιν 2254 P-1DP
Vincent's NT Word Studies
38. In thy name. John's conscience is awakened by the Lord's words. They had not received the man who cast out devils in Christ's name.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
9:38 {Because he followed not us} (hoti ouk ekolouqei hemin). Note vivid imperfect tense again. John evidently thought to change the subject from the constraint and embarrassment caused by their dispute. So he told about a case of extra zeal on his part expecting praise from Jesus. Perhaps what Jesus had just said in verse #37 raised a doubt in John's mind as to the propriety of his excessive narrowness. One needs to know the difference between loyalty to Jesus and stickling over one's own narrow prejudices.
