Charles Ellicott Commentary Mark 9:39

"But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man who shall do a mighty work in my name, and be able quickly to speak evil of me." — Mark 9:39 (ASV)

A miracle.—Better, a mighty work, or work of power.

Lightly.—Literally, quickly. The words are wide-reaching in their range. The true disciples of Christ are to hinder no one who is really doing His work. The very fact that they do it will bring with it reverence and sympathy. They will not quickly be found among those who speak evil of the Son of Man.

So long ago Moses answered the prayer of Joshua that he would forbid Eldad and Medad to prophesy in the camp, Would God that all the Lord’s people were prophets (Numbers 11:29). So Saint Paul rejoiced that in every way Christ was preached (Philippians 1:18).

So too often have churches and their teachers not acted when men were doing the work of Christ, combating evil, meeting needs, in ways more or less irregular, or with faith more or less imperfect. In all such cases we need to remember the words Forbid him not . . . he that is not against us is on our side.