Luke 9:49 Meaning and Explanation
“And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →John reports that the disciples stopped a man casting out demons in the name of Jesus because he was not part of their company.
What Does Luke 9:49 Mean?
John, perhaps uneasy after the lesson of the child, volunteers a confession: we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. The man was doing the very thing the nine had just failed to do, and the disciples stopped him over membership.
Because he followeth not with us, not because he did not honor Christ. The disciples policed the boundary of their group rather than the glory of their Lord. The instinct survives in every age: confusing our circle with his cause, our company with his kingdom. The verse holds up the mirror kindly, and the next verse gives the correction of the Master.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 9:49
What does Luke 9:49 mean?
John reports that the disciples stopped a man casting out demons in the name of Jesus because he was not part of their company.