Definition: 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.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Mark 9:38. It's a really important moment in Jesus’ teachings! Here’s what it means in simple terms: The Basic Story: Jesus is talking to two men – John and Peter – who were watching someone performing a miracle – casting out devils. They see the person doing this amazing thing, and they’re amazed. What Jesus Says: Jesus says, “Master, we saw one casting out devils in your name.” What He Means: “Master”: This refers to Jesus himself – he's speaking to him as a person. “We saw…”: This means the men witnessed something that happened. “casting out devils”: This is the key part! The person was doing something incredibly powerful - they were freeing people from being tormented by evil spirits. What He Says About the Person: Jesus then says, “and he follows not us.” This means the person not doing this miracle wasn’t following Jesus or his teachings. They weren't obeying him. The Significance – It’s a Warning! This verse is significant because it shows Jesus was teaching about responsibility and obedience . It's telling us: Jesus has authority: He’s the one who can do incredible things. We are accountable: We need to follow his teachings and be obedient to him. Don’t ignore him: If we don’t obey, we’re not part of what he's doing. In short, it’s a warning to listen to Jesus and to do what he says. --- Do you want me to explain any specific aspect of this verse in more detail? For example, would you like me to: Explain the context of the story in Mark 9:3-12? Discuss the significance of the word "follow"? Or maybe delve into a related principle from the Bible (like obedience)?