Such were the hopes awakened by the Transfiguration and the following miracles that the disciples were led to speculate upon their relative position in the Kingdom. Jesus therefore took a little child for His text, and preached to them a sermon on humility. How constantly the Master speaks of the little ones! He says that we must be converted to become like them; that to cause them to stumble will involve terrible penalties; that they are not to be despised; that each has an angel of the Father's presence-chamber appointed to his charge; that to seek and to save one He is prepared as the shepherd to traverse the mountains; that it is not the Father's will that one of them should perish. How infinitely tender and humble was His love for them!
Let us strive to cut off whatever causes us to stumble. It may be a friendship, a pastime, a pursuit, a course of reading; but there must be no quarter given, no excuse accepted. As soon as the soul dares to make this supreme renunciation, there is an accession of life. Whenever the body loses the use of one member, such as the eye, there is an accession of vigor in others; so, to deny the lower is to open the door to the higher, and, though maimed, to enter into life. Mark 9:44-48 evidently refer to the valley of Hinnom, where fires were kept burning to consume waste. [source]
Chapter Summary: Mark 9
1Jesus is transfigured 11He instructs his disciples concerning the coming of Elijah; 14casts forth a deaf and mute spirit; 30foretells his death and resurrection; 33exhorts his disciples to humility; 38bidding them not to prohibit such as are not against them, 42nor to give offense to any of the faithful
Greek Commentary for Mark 9:40
He that is not against us is with us [hos ouk estin kath' hēmōn huper hēmōn estin)] This profound saying throws a flood of light in every direction. The complement of this logion is that in Matthew 12:30: “He that is not with me is against me.” Both are needed. Some people imagine that they are really for Christ who refuse to take a stand in the open with him and for him. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Mark 9:40
Luke 9:50“Against you is for you” [κατ μων υπερ μων] Mark 9:40 has “against us is for us” The Koiné Greek ē and μη κωλυετε μη ū were often pronounced alike and it was easy to interchange them. So many MSS. here read just as in Mark. The point is precisely the same as it is a proverbial saying. See a similar saying in Luke 11:23: “He that is not with me is against me.” The prohibition here as in Mark 9:39 is general: “Stop hindering him” The lesson of toleration in methods of work for Christ is needed today. [source]
Greek Commentary for Mark 9:40
This profound saying throws a flood of light in every direction. The complement of this logion is that in Matthew 12:30: “He that is not with me is against me.” Both are needed. Some people imagine that they are really for Christ who refuse to take a stand in the open with him and for him. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Mark 9:40
Mark 9:40 has “against us is for us” The Koiné Greek ē and μη κωλυετε μη ū were often pronounced alike and it was easy to interchange them. So many MSS. here read just as in Mark. The point is precisely the same as it is a proverbial saying. See a similar saying in Luke 11:23: “He that is not with me is against me.” The prohibition here as in Mark 9:39 is general: “Stop hindering him” The lesson of toleration in methods of work for Christ is needed today. [source]