Matthew Henry Commentary Mark 9:30-40

"And they went forth from thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it. For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered up into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and when he is killed, after three days he shall rise again. But they understood not the saying, and were afraid to ask him. And they came to Capernaum: and when he was in the house he asked them, What were ye reasoning on the way? But they held their peace: for they had disputed one with another on the way, who [was] the greatest. And he sat down, and called the twelve; and he saith unto them, If any man would be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all. And he took a little child, and set him in the midst of them: and taking him in his arms, he said unto them, Whosoever shall receive one of such little children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever receiveth me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me. John said unto him, Teacher, we saw one casting out demons in thy name; and we forbade him, because he followed not us. 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. For he that is not against us is for us." — Mark 9:30-40 (ASV)

The time of Christ's suffering drew near. If he had been delivered into the hands of devils, and they had done this, it would not have been so strange; but that men should treat the Son of Man so shamefully, who came to redeem and save them, is astonishing. Yet observe that when Christ spoke of his death, he always spoke of his resurrection, which took the reproach of it from himself, and should have taken the grief of it from his disciples.

Many remain ignorant because they are ashamed to inquire. Alas! That while the Savior so plainly teaches the things which belong to his love and grace, men are so blinded that they do not understand his sayings. We will be called to account for our discourses, and to account for our disputes, especially those about being greater than others. Those who are most humble and self-denying most resemble Christ, and will be most tenderly acknowledged by him.

This Jesus taught them by a sign: whoever shall receive one like this child, receives me. Many have been like the disciples, ready to silence men who have success in preaching repentance in Christ's name to sinners, because they do not follow with them. Our Lord blamed the apostles, reminding them that he who performed miracles in his name would not likely hurt his cause. If sinners are brought to repent, to believe in the Savior, and to live sober, righteous, and godly lives, we then see that the Lord works through the preacher.