Luke 9:49
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.
Original Language Analysis
Ἀποκριθεὶς
answered
G611
Ἀποκριθεὶς
answered
Strong's:
G611
Word #:
1 of 23
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
εἴδομέν
we saw
G1492
εἴδομέν
we saw
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
7 of 23
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
ἐπὶ
in
G1909
ἐπὶ
in
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
9 of 23
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὀνόματί
name
G3686
ὀνόματί
name
Strong's:
G3686
Word #:
11 of 23
a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)
τά
G3588
τά
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
18 of 23
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὅτι
because
G3754
ὅτι
because
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
19 of 23
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἀκολουθεῖ
he followeth
G190
ἀκολουθεῖ
he followeth
Strong's:
G190
Word #:
21 of 23
properly, to be in the same way with, i.e., to accompany (specially, as a disciple)
Historical Context
Jewish exorcists commonly invoked names of power (see Acts 19:13), but this man used Jesus's name with apparent success, suggesting authentic faith. The disciples' reaction reflects their expectation of exclusive authority as Jesus's inner circle. This incident parallels Moses's response when Eldad and Medad prophesied outside the tabernacle (Numbers 11:26-29)—both reveal the human tendency to restrict God's Spirit to approved channels.
Questions for Reflection
- When have you been tempted to question or restrict genuine kingdom work simply because it happened outside your denominational, theological, or organizational boundaries?
- How does the success of this unauthorized exorcist challenge assumptions about who is qualified for spiritual ministry and what credentials truly matter in God's economy?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name (ἐν τῷ ὀνόματί σου, en tō onomati sou)—John reports encountering an unauthorized exorcist using Jesus's name with apparent effectiveness. The phrase in thy name indicates the man invoked Christ's authority, suggesting genuine faith even without formal attachment to the Twelve. We forbad him (ἐκωλύομεν, ekōlyomen)—the imperfect tense suggests repeated prohibition: 'we kept trying to stop him.'
Because he followeth not with us (μεθ' ἡμῶν, meth' hēmōn)—John's exclusivism surfaces: the man lacks apostolic credentials and doesn't travel in their company. Fresh from debating who among them was greatest (9:46), John now polices who belongs in the 'us' at all. The irony is profound: John forbids effective kingdom work because it threatens apostolic monopoly. Jesus will rebuke this sectarian spirit, teaching that kingdom ministry isn't franchised exclusively through the Twelve. Genuine faith demonstrated by kingdom fruit matters more than institutional affiliation.