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47 But when Jesus discerned their innermost thoughts,[a] he took a child, had him stand by[b] his side, 48 and said to them, “Whoever welcomes[c] this child[d] 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.”[e]

On the Right Side

49 John answered,[f] “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop[g] him because he is not a disciple[h] along with us.”

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 9:47 tn Grk “knowing the thoughts of their hearts” (an idiom).
  2. Luke 9:47 tn On this use of παρά (para), see BDF §238.
  3. Luke 9:48 tn This verb, δέχομαι (dechomai), is a term of hospitality (L&N 34.53).
  4. Luke 9:48 sn Children were very insignificant in ancient culture, so this child would be the perfect object lesson to counter the disciples’ selfish ambitions.
  5. Luke 9:48 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.
  6. Luke 9:49 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.
  7. Luke 9:49 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 ƒ1,13 33 M co), which would be translated “we forbade him.” The imperfect enjoys the best external and internal support.
  8. Luke 9:49 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.

47 Jesus, knowing their thoughts,(A) took a little child and had him stand beside him. 48 Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.(B) For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.”(C)

49 “Master,”(D) said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us.”

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