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Scott's Reference Library
Mark 9:38 through Mark 9:50 (NIV)
38“Teacher,” said John, “we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we
told him to stop, because he was not one of us.”
39“Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “No one who does a miracle in my name can in
the next moment say anything bad about me, 40for whoever is not against us is
for us. 41I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name
because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.
42“And if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it
would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied
around his neck. 43If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for
you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire
never goes out. 45And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better
for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell.
47And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter
the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell,
48where
“‘their worm does not die,
and the fire is not quenched.’
49Everyone will be salted with fire.
50“Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again?
Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
VERSES 30-40
The time of Christ’s suffering drew nigh. Had he been delivered into the hands
of devils, and they had done this, it had not been so strange; but that men
should thus shamefully treat the Son of man, who came to redeem and save them,
is wonderful. Still observe that when Christ spake of his death, he always spake
of his resurrection, which took the reproach of it from himself, and should have
taken the grief of it from his disciples. Many remain ignorant because they are
ashamed to inquire. Alas! that while the Saviour teaches so plainly the things
which belong to his love and grace, men are so blinded that they understand not
his sayings. We shall be called to account about our discourses, and to account
for our disputes, especially about being greater than others. Those who are most
humble and self-denying, most resemble Christ, and shall be most tenderly owned
by him. This Jesus taught them by a sign; whoever shall receive one like this
child, receives me. Many have been like the disciples, ready to silence men who
have success in preaching to sinners repentance in Christ’s name, because they
follow not with them. Our Lord blamed the apostles, reminding them that he who
wrought miracles in his name would not be likely to hurt his cause. If sinners
are brought to repent, to believe in the Saviour, and to live sober, righteous,
and godly lives, we then see that the Lord works by the preacher.
VERSES 41-50
It is repeatedly said of the wicked, Their worm dieth not, as well as, The fire
is never quenched. Doubtless, remorse of conscience and keen self-reflection are
this never-dying worm. Surely it is beyond compare better to undergo all
possible pain, hardship, and self-denial here, and to be happy for ever
hereafter, than to enjoy all kinds of worldly pleasure for a season, and to be
miserable for ever. Like the sacrifices, we must be salted with salt; our
corrupt affections must be subdued and mortified by the Holy Spirit. Those that
have the salt of grace, must show they have a living principle of grace in their
hearts, which works out corrupt dispositions in the soul that would offend God,
or our own consciences.