Charles Spurgeon Commentary Luke 9:49

"And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out demons in thy name; and we forbade him, because he followeth not with us." — Luke 9:49 (ASV)

This man who was casting out demons was a dissenter; he was not with the regular church. He was doing good; but still, what right did he have to do it? John said, "He followeth not with us." He was outside the pale; and even John, with all his loving disposition, felt that he must blow that candle out. He had no right to shine in anything but the regular, orthodox candlestick. "We forbad him, because he followeth not with us."