Mark 9:34-43

34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.

35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

36 He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them,

37 “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”

Whoever Is Not Against Us Is for Us

38 “Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone 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. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me,

40 for whoever is not against us is for us.

41 Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.

Causing to Stumble

42 “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.

43 If your hand causes you to stumble, 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.^[a]

Cross References

• 1. Luke 22:24
• 2. Matthew 18:4; Matthew 20:26; Mark 10:43; Luke 22:26
• 3. Mark 10:16
• 4. S Matthew 10:40
• 5. Numbers 11:27-29
• 6. Matthew 12:30; Luke 11:23
• 7. S Matthew 10:42
• 8. S Matthew 5:29
• 9. Matthew 18:6; Luke 17:2
• 10. S Matthew 5:29
• 11. Matthew 5:30; Matthew 18:8
• 12. S Matthew 25:41

Footnotes

• [a]. Some manuscripts include here the words of verse 48.