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Scripture Analysis

Mark 9:38

This verse is examined in more than one Scripture Analysis section. Each lens is shown on its own terms, in the section's own words; GEBible reaches no verdict of its own.

Contradictions
2 entries

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WEB

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.”

World English Bible

Read Mark 9:38 in context

Examined in Scripture Analysis

Contradictions (2)

Questions where the Bible appears to say two different things, with the passages on each side set together.

  • Is casting out devils a sign of a true Christian?

    Mark 16:17 (the disputed Longer Ending) lists casting out demons as one of the signs *parakolouthēsei tois pisteusasin* — 'that will follow those who believe.' Mark 9:38 and Luke 9:49 have the disciples report a non-follower casting out demons in Jesus's name, which Jesus permits.

    Critical scholarship: Usually considered reconciled.

    Historical detail

    More on this question

    The proposed answers and sources for each reading are on the question page.

  • Who can cast out devils in the name of Jesus?

    Mark 16:17 says exorcism in Jesus' name is a sign that follows 'them that believe' — a believers-only operation. Matthew 7:21-23, Mark 9:38, and Luke 9:49 all describe people casting out demons in Jesus' name who are explicitly not part of his followers — including some whom Jesus rejects at the final judgment despite their successful exorcisms ('I never knew you').

    Critical scholarship: Widely regarded as a genuine contradiction.

    Historical detail

    More on this question

    The proposed answers and sources for each reading are on the question page.

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Each section sets the viewpoints side by side; you weigh the evidence. Here, "critical scholarship" means academic study, not a value judgment. How this is built

Within each section, grouped by shared field or question type — not a cross-section comparison.

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One of these tensions involves a difference in wording across manuscripts or translations. Examine the original language on Lemma

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This citation refers to this GEBible page — the verse and the analysis gathered here. To cite the underlying scholarship, cite those sources directly.

"Mark 9:38 — Scripture Analysis" GEBible, https://gebible.app/analysis/verse/mark/9/38?version=WEB (retrieved 27 August 2026).