Luke 9:46–50

Concerning the Greatest

9:46 Now an argument started among the disciples158 as to which of them might be159 the greatest. 9:47 But when Jesus discerned their innermost thoughts,160 he took a child, had him stand by161 his side, 9:48 and said to them, “Whoever welcomes162 this child163 in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me, for the one who is least among you all is the one who is great.”164

On the Right Side

9:49 John answered,165 “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop166 him because he is not a disciple167 along with us.” 9:50 But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him, for whoever is not against you is for you.”

158	tn Grk “among them”; the referent (the disciples) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
159	tn The use of the optative mood means the answer is not clear (BDF §§267.2.3; 385.2.2).
160	tn Grk “knowing the thoughts of their hearts” (an idiom).
161	tn On this use of παρά (para), see BDF §239.1.1.
162	tn This verb, δέχομαι (dechomai), is a term of hospitality (L&N 34.53).
163	sn Children were very insignificant in ancient culture, so this child would be the perfect object lesson to counter the disciples’ selfish ambitions.
164	tn Grk “among you all, this one is great.” The absence of a comparative term here makes the point that comparison should not be done.
165	tn Grk “And answering, John said.” This is redundant in contemporary English and has been simplified to “John answered.” Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
166	tc The translation follows the reading that has Luke’s normal imperfect here (ἐκωλύομεν, ekōluomen; found in 𝔓75vid א B L Ξ 579 892 1241). Most mss, however, have an aorist (ἐκωλύσαμεν, ekōlusamen; found in A C D W Θ Ψ f1, 13 33 𝔐 co), which would be translated “we forbade him.” The imperfect enjoys the best external and internal support.
167	tn Grk “does not follow with us.” BDAG 36 s.v. ἀκολουθέω 2 indicates that the pronoun σοι (soi, “you”) is to be supplied after the verb in this particular instance; the translation in the text best represents this nuance.