Whoever Is Not Against Us
Be at peace with one another
Two things you can tap
- A verse number shows the Bible’s exact words.
- An underlined word shows what it means.
Story
What happened?
Tap a verse number, like , to read the Bible’s exact words.
The whole story, in shortWhat happens, start to finish. Open it if you want the ending first.
John told Jesus they had tried to stop a man who was driving out demons in Jesus's name because he wasn't one of them, but Jesus said, "Do not stop him. Whoever is not against us is for us." He said even a cup of water given in his name will be rewarded, and warned strongly against causing one of his little ones to stumble. Using shocking pictures, he told them to take sin seriously, and said, "Be at peace with one another."
Where it is in the Bible: Mark 9:38-50
Who’s who and what came beforePeople, places, and the story so far. Open it anytime.
Scene Card
Cast
- Jesus: The one the Gospels present as the promised Messiah and the Son of God.
- John: One of the twelve disciples, a brother of James.
- The disciples: Jesus's closest followers.
- A stranger: Someone driving out demons in Jesus's name. He isn't one of the twelve.
Setting
- A house in Capernaum, a town in Galilee.
When
- About 2,000 years ago, in the weeks before Jesus went to Jerusalem.
Before the Story
The disciples had just argued about who was the greatest. Jesus told them the first must be the servant of all (9:34-35).
Jesus took a little child in his arms. He said whoever welcomes a child like this welcomes him (9:36-37).
Here's what you know: The disciples are still thinking about who is in and who is out. Jesus is about to surprise them again.
Map of the Story
| Scene | Verses | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. "He's not one of us" | 9:38-41 | John tries to stop a stranger |
| 2. The little ones | 9:42 | Jesus warns anyone who would hurt a believer |
| 3. Strong words | 9:43-48 | Jesus says to take sin seriously |
| 4. Salt and peace | 9:49-50 | Jesus tells them to be at peace |
Plain Retelling
Scene 1 of 4"He's Not One of Us"
John said to Jesus, "Teacher, we saw someone else driving out demons in Your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not accompany us" (9:38).
The man was doing good, in Jesus's name. But he wasn't part of their group.
"Do not stop him," Jesus replied (9:39).
No one who does a miracle in Jesus's name will quickly turn around and speak against him.
"For whoever is not against us is for us" (9:40).
Jesus said even someone who gives you a cup of water because you belong to him will not lose their reward.
Scene 2 of 4The Little Ones
Then Jesus gave a serious warning.
Some people cause one of Jesus's little ones to stumble. To stumble means to fall away from trusting him.
Jesus said it would be better for that person to be thrown into the sea with a heavy stone around his neck.
These are strong words. Jesus takes it very seriously when anyone hurts or misleads one of his little ones.
Scene 3 of 4Strong Words
Then Jesus spoke about sin in our own lives.
If your hand, your foot, or your eye causes you to sin, get rid of it. It would be better to enter life without it than to be thrown into hell.
This is a comparison. Jesus is not telling anyone to hurt their body. He is using a shocking picture to say: sin is deadly serious. Turn away from whatever pulls you into it.
Scene 4 of 4Salt and Peace
"Salt is good, but if the salt loses its saltiness, with what will you season it?" (9:50).
Salt gives food flavor and keeps it from going bad.
"Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with one another" (9:50).
The disciples had been arguing. Jesus told them to be at peace.
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "He does not accompany us" (9:38) | The disciples wanted to keep good work inside their own group. |
| "Do not stop him" (9:39) | God works through people outside our group too. |
| "Whoever is not against us is for us" (9:40) | Don't treat people as enemies just because they're different. |
| "Even a cup of water" (9:41) | Small kindnesses matter to Jesus. |
| "Causes one of these little ones... to stumble" (9:42) | Jesus takes it seriously when anyone hurts or misleads a believer. |
| "If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off" (9:43) | A comparison: get rid of what pulls you into sin. |
| "Be at peace with one another" (9:50) | Jesus's followers stop competing and make peace. |
Back Then
A millstone was a huge round stone for grinding grain. The biggest ones were turned by a donkey.
Salt was precious. It was used to flavor and preserve food, and it was added to offerings at the temple (Leviticus 2:13).
Moses once had a similar moment. Two men prophesied outside the camp, and Joshua wanted to stop them. Moses said he wished all God's people were prophets (Numbers 11:26-29).
Literal Reader Alert
Should someone really cut off a hand or foot? No. Jesus never wants you to hurt your body. He is using a strong picture to show how serious sin is. If you ever feel like hurting yourself, please tell a trusted adult right away. You are precious to God.
What does it mean to cause a little one to stumble? It means hurting a child or a young believer, or leading them away from Jesus. If anyone is hurting you, it is never your fault. Please tell a trusted adult.
Are all Christians on the same team? Jesus said not to stop someone doing good in his name. Christians belong to different churches, but Jesus calls us to be at peace with one another.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| John | Protective | He tried to stop someone outside the group (9:38) |
| The disciples | Surprised | Jesus said not to stop him (9:39) |
| Jesus | Serious | He warned about hurting little ones (9:42) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
What do you need to hear from this story? Tap one.
I judge others
Jesus says not to stop people doing good in his name.
Small kindness
Even a cup of water counts with Jesus.
Someone hurt me
Jesus takes that very seriously. It's not your fault. Tell someone you trust.
Make peace
Jesus says, "Be at peace with one another." Who could you make peace with?
You Might Have Heard
"Only people in my group are really on God's side."
What's true: Truth matters. Jesus's followers care about getting the message right.
What the story is mainly about: The disciples wanted to keep Jesus's work inside their own circle. Jesus said, "Whoever is not against us is for us" (9:40). He cares about every small kindness and every little one.
Where Jesus is: In a house, with a child nearby, telling his followers to stop competing and be at peace.
Good News
Jesus protects his little ones. He sees every cup of water given in his name.
"Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with one another" (9:50).
Jesus takes sin seriously because he loves us. He went to the cross to deal with sin, so we could have life.
Jesus cares about every little one and every small kindness. He calls his followers to be at peace.
Big Idea
Whoever is not against us is for us. Jesus protects his little ones, takes sin seriously, and calls his followers to be at peace.
If this story brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
Luther taught that God's church is wider than any one group of people. Wherever the gospel is preached and the sacraments are given, God's people are there.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. In Year B, it reads Mark 9:38-50 in late September (Lectionary 26).
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
For whoever is not against us is for us.
How did that feel?
You finished Whoever Is Not Against Us.
Using this at church
Read in church on
- Lectionary 26 Year BGospel, Mark 9:38–50
For a newsletter or sermon notes
Whoever Is Not Against Us, explained in plain words. The disciples try to stop a stranger doing good in Jesus's name. Jesus says, "Do not stop him." About 8 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/whoever-is-not-against-us/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church