LUKE 9:50 AND LUKE 11:23

A. Luke 9:50 (parallel in Mark 9:38-40): “Do not stop him; for whoever is not against you is for you.”

B. Luke 11:23 (parallel in Matthew 12:30): “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”

Q: Isn't there a contradiction between these two sayings?

Not really, as several commentators explain:

NCBC: “...if the one was spoken to the indifferent about themselves and the other to the disciples about someone else.”

NBC “While the principle of Mark 9:40 should govern the attitude of the Church toward those without, the principle of Matt. 12:30 must be part of the Church's preaching both to those without and to those within; to be neutral toward Christ is to decide against him.”

NICNT: The exorcist honored Jesus' name. In the other case it was Jesus' opponents who questioned his God-given authority.

NBC: In the one case it is loyalty to Christ himself that is referred to. In the other case it is loyalty to the the disciples that is talked about.

NICNT and AB: “He that is not against us is for us is the test by which we should judge others; he that is not for me is against me is the test by which we should judge ourselves.

Comments on A

Bible Knowledge Commentary: John must have felt that the disciples' own greatness was diminished if others could also cast out demons.

Hard Sayings of the Bible: “John has always had his successors in the church, who feel unhappy when

things are done in Jesus' name by people whose authority to do them they cannot recognize.”

Craddock: “Where leaders compete, it follows that they will also seek to exercise control over the membership of the communities they lead.”

Comment on B

Bible Knowledge Commentary: “Jesus stated that it was impossible to be neutral in the battle between Christ and Satan. The people who were watching had to make up their minds.”