9:39a

There is a contrast between what the disciples did in 9:38 and what Jesus said in 9:39. Some versions such as the Revised Standard Version show this contrast with the word “But.” Translate the contrast in a natural way in your language.

Do not stop him: The command Do not stop is in the present tense in the Greek. In this context, this tense indicates a general principle: “Do not be stopping (people like) him.” You should translate this as a general principle. For example:

Do not stop people like him.

stop him: As in 9:38c, it may be necessary to say explicitly what action was stopped. Use an expression that is similar to the expression in 9:38c. For example:

stop him from doing that
-or-
try to prevent him from driving out demons

Jesus replied: In some languages it might be more natural to translate the phrase Jesus replied as “Jesus answered.” Jesus responded to what John said.

In Greek, these words occur at the beginning of 9:38 (as in the Revised Standard Version). The Berean Standard Bible places the words Jesus replied in the middle of Jesus’ response. Place the words Jesus replied where it is natural in your language.

9:39b–c

For: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For means “because.” This conjunction introduces the reason for not stopping the man. For example:

because no one… (Good News Bible)

See the General Comment on 9:39a–c below for an example of how to change the order of this verse.

no one who performs a miracle in My name can turn around and speak evil of Me: Another way to say this is:

Anyone who does a miracle in my name will not be able to say anything bad about me soon afterward.

miracle: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as miracle is literally “power.” A miracle is an action which requires great power to accomplish. When a human being does a miracle, he must use greater power than human beings normally have. The disciples used God’s power to do miracles, and these miracles demonstrated that God was working through them.

Here are some other ways to translate miracle:

mighty work
-or-
amazing act done with/by God’s power
-or-
wonderful action that only God can do

The plural form of this word occurs in 6:2f.

in My name: The phrase in My name has the same meaning as the similar phrase “in your name” in 9:38b. It refers to using the power or authority of Jesus to do something. Translate it in a similar way as you did there.

can turn around: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as can turn around is literally “quickly.”

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

readily (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
soon afterward (Good News Bible)
-or-
in the next moment (New International Version, 2011 edition)

speak evil of Me: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as speak evil of means “revile,” “insult,” or “say something bad about.” For example:

speak evil of me (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
say evil things about me (Good News Bible)
-or-
say anything against me (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
insult me

General Comment on 9:39a–c

In some languages, it will be more natural to put 9:39b–c before 9:39a. For example:

39bA person who does a miracle in my name 39ccannot in the next moment say anything bad about me. 39aSo, do not stop him.

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