What does Jesus mean by he that is not against us is on our part?

When Jesus says, “he that is not against us is on our part,” He is correcting the disciples’ narrow view. They had tried to stop a man casting out demons in Jesus’ name because he was not part of their group. Jesus explains that someone who calls on His name in this way is not His enemy. If a person is truly acting in His name, they will not easily turn around and speak evil of Him. So Jesus is teaching His followers not to cling to their own status, but to welcome and value real work done in His name.

Why did the disciples try to stop the man casting out demons in Jesus name?

The disciples saw a man casting out demons in Jesus’ name and tried to stop him because, as they said, “he followeth not us.” They treated their closeness to Jesus like a special badge and assumed that only they should do such works. This shows their pride and desire to protect their own place instead of thinking first about Jesus’ honor and the good being done. Jesus gently corrects them, showing that God can use people outside their circle, and that they should care more about His name being lifted up than about their own importance.

Why does Jesus speak so strongly about offending these little ones that believe in him?

Jesus says it would be better to have a millstone tied around the neck and be thrown into the sea than to cause one of these “little ones that believe in me” to stumble. Here “little ones” means believers who are weak, humble, or young in faith. He speaks so strongly to show how serious it is to lead others into sin, damage their faith, or drive them away from Him. God sees harming the faith of these believers as a very great wrong. Jesus would rather His followers suffer loss themselves than become a cause of spiritual harm to others.

What does Jesus mean when he says to cut off your hand or foot or pluck out your eye?

When Jesus talks about cutting off a hand or foot or plucking out an eye, He is not telling people to injure their bodies. He is using sharp word pictures to show how seriously we should treat sin. A “hand,” “foot,” or “eye” stands for anything we cling to, even if it feels precious or useful, that leads us into sin. He is saying it is better to lose something dear in this life than to hold on to sin and end up in hell. His words urge us to take radical steps to turn from what pulls us away from God.

What does it mean that everyone shall be salted with fire?

The line “every one shall be salted with fire” has been understood in more than one way, but here it is closely tied to Jesus’ words about judgment and holiness. In the old sacrifices, salt was used so offerings would be acceptable to God. Fire also purifies and tests. Put together, this picture points to God using testing and refining fire so His people are like holy offerings to Him. Those who belong to Jesus should accept His purifying work now, rather than live in sin and face the unquenchable fire He has just spoken about.

What does Jesus mean by salt is good but if the salt has lost his saltness?

When Jesus says, “Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it?” He is talking about the preserving and flavoring quality of His followers. Salt keeps things from decay and adds taste. In the same way, those shaped by His word and Spirit help keep corruption back and point others to God. But if they lose that inward reality, there is nothing else that can replace it. He is warning that if believers stop living in the truth and power He gives, they become like tasteless salt, no longer useful for His purposes.

How can I apply this passage about sin and salt to my own life today?

This passage invites you to check your heart in several ways. First, ask whether you are jealous when God works through others who are not in your circle, instead of rejoicing that His name is honored. Second, take seriously anything that pulls you toward sin, and be willing to part with habits, relationships, or comforts that lead you away from Christ. Third, value even small acts done for Jesus’ people, like a cup of water, knowing He sees them. Finally, seek to be like salt: let God’s word and testing shape you, so you help preserve others’ faith and live at peace with fellow believers.

Why are even small acts like giving a cup of water promised a reward here?

Jesus says that whoever gives a cup of water to one of His followers “in my name, because ye belong to Christ” will not lose their reward. This shows how closely He identifies with His people. To care even in a small way for someone because they belong to Him is to honor Him. The act itself is simple and lowly, but the reason behind it matters. Jesus notices and values kindness done for His sake, even when no one else does. This encourages us not to despise small, quiet ways of serving His people, because He does not.

Mark.9.38

Mark 9:38

Q: What does the phrase where their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched teach about hell?

The phrase “where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched” uses strong, fearful images to speak about hell. It points to unending ruin and the ongoing pain of judgment. The “worm” suggests a gnawing that does not stop, and the “fire” shows a punishment that is not put out. Together they show that the results of dying in sin are not brief or light. Jesus uses this picture to make His hearers feel how serious sin is, and why it is better to give up anything that leads to sin than to face this kind of eternal loss.

Q: What does have salt in yourselves and have peace one with another mean?

“Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another” ties together inner character and how believers treat each other. To “have salt” is to be shaped inside by God’s word, by faith, and by the refining work He has just spoken about. That inner reality should not make a person harsh and proud, but should lead to peace with others. Jesus calls His followers to be firmly committed to holiness, yet at the same time to live in harmony, not fighting over status or shutting out others who truly honor His name.

KJV

And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.

The Greatest in the Kingdom

And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?

But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.

And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.

And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,

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

And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.

But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.

For he that is not against us is on our part.

For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.

And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:

Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:

Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:

Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.

Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.