Mark 9:38 John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone who doesn’t follow us casting out demons in your name; and we forbade him, because he doesn’t follow us.” 39 But Jesus said, “Don’t forbid him, for there is no one who will do a mighty work in my name, and be able quickly to speak evil of me. 40 For whoever is not against us is on our side. WEB
Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of heaven–only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven”. NET
There is an expectation of allegiance to Jesus so it isn’t surprising that the disciples are ready to forbid this casting out of demons yet He doesn’t condemn these people. Catholics, in particular, love verse 38 because it suggests that the formula of using Christ’s name is powerful, even for those outside the faith. Their view is that the sacraments, if properly administered, have an objective authority. In other words, if you perform the ritual, it has an effect. (The sacraments are also believed to provide a continuing assurance to the believer of their salvation).
The question can also arise as to what happens when you are baptized by a minister who isn’t a believer? In the Episcopal church (and most Protestant denominations), the sacraments are not invalidated just because a minister is unworthy. Finally, in reference to these people outside their group, Jesus is saying that they aren’t following us….yet.
Mark 9:42 “If anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a huge millstone tied around his neck and to be thrown into the sea. NET
Matthew 18:6 “But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a huge millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the open sea. 7 Woe to the world because of stumbling blocks! It is necessary that stumbling blocks come, but woe to the person through whom they come. NET
There is a concern for the protection and well-being of both children and new Christians. Paul touches on this in his discussion about the meat being sacrificed to idols in 1Corinthians 8:7. Paul loves meat but also recognizes that there are both weak and strong Christians. As such, none of us should be the person to put a stumbling block (Greek word is “skandalon”) in their way that will cause any of them to fall.
The visual here of the millstone is reminiscent of a mafia movie. You are going to the bottom of the sea and you aren’t coming back up. Note also the qualifier “who believe in me”. We don’t hold the world to Christ’s standards as our expectations and worldview are different.
Mark 9:43 If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having your two hands to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire, 45 If your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life lame, rather than having your two feet to be cast into hell. 47 If your eye causes you to stumble, cast it out. It is better for you to enter into the Kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell, 48 ‘where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.’ NHEB
The notion of judgment is introduced in verse 42 (the millstone) and continues in the verses that follow. The language is rather lurid as Jesus is speaking about our actions and a different outcome that can arise as a result of the choices made. While there are non-Christians who like to point out that they have never seen a one-eyed preacher or a one-armed Christian, Jesus is not advocating cutting off anything. Similar to the discussion about handwashing earlier, it isn’t the externals but rather the internals that are the problem. For example, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches that being angry at your brother will subject you to judgment in the same way that murdering someone will. Looking at a woman with lust is equivalent to adultery. His point is to pay attention to what is going on inside as you can outwardly keep the rules but still miss the Kingdom. The only way for us to fix the problem is for the old heart of stone to replaced with a new and regenerated heart of flesh. In other words, be born again. This is true in the bigger culture as well – we can’t legislate moral or even considerate behavior. To change culture, hearts have to be changed.
The word translated in verse 47 is “geenna” or “Gehenna” (Strong’s 1067). Gehenna is the dump in Jerusalem but it has a longer and darker history. This is the area where the Canaanites performed human sacrifice as part of their worship of Baal. Thayer’s describes this as a place that is so abhorred by the Jews that after the human sacrifices were stopped, they continued to throw all kinds of refuse, including dead animals and unburied criminals. The area required an ongoing, permanent fire to keep the stench down. It has become considered by many as the natural symbol of penalty with Strong’s describing it as “the symbolic name for the final place of punishment for the ungodly”. Again, Jesus is not mincing words here.
Mark 9:49 Every one, however, will be salted with fire. 50 Salt is a good thing, but if the salt should become tasteless, what will you use to give it saltness? Have salt within you and live at peace with one another.” WEY
Here Jesus flips things around. In the Hebrew Temple, salt is a symbol of purification and preservation. The grain sacrifices, for example, were salted before being burned. Some commentators will tie this back to verse 48 and define this as a means to keep that fire of punishment burning without end for the wicked. Others will apply this to believers regarding the need to persevere against sin even if it means giving up something dear to us (symbolized in the text as an arm or an eye) and warns of the consequences if we fail.
Hebrews 10:26 For if we deliberately keep on sinning after receiving the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins is left for us, 27 but only a certain fearful expectation of judgment and a fury of fire that will consume God’s enemies. NET
Another perspective points to “every one” and say this salting of fire is penal for the wicked but purifying for believers as we still battle with sin and need this purification by fire.
1Corinthians 3:10 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master-builder I laid a foundation, but someone else builds on it. And each one must be careful how he builds. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than what is being laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, 13 each builder’s work will be plainly seen, for the Day will make it clear, because it will be revealed by fire. And the fire will test what kind of work each has done. 14 If what someone has built survives, he will receive a reward. 15If someone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss. He himself will be saved, but only as through fire. NET
In Hebrews 10:14, we are told that through His sacrifice, “He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified” (NHEB). Fortunately this is true even if, as Paul points out above, that we smell a little bit like smoke. Finally, one more fire reference:
Hebrews 12:28 Therefore, since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us be filled with gratitude, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. 29 “For our God is a consuming fire.” BSB