Mark 9:37
What does Mark 9:37 mean?
A plain-English look at Mark 9:37 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Mark 9:37 means
Jesus declares that whoever welcomes or receives one of these vulnerable "little children" in His name is actually receiving Him, and by receiving Him, they are receiving God the Father who sent Him. This teaching profoundly links humble service to the least significant with direct fellowship with God Himself. It emphasizes that acts of compassion and acceptance towards the vulnerable are not merely good deeds, but an embrace of Christ's presence and God's will.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Whosoever shall receive one of such little children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever receiveth me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Whosoever shall receive one of such little children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever receiveth me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Whoever will give honour to one such little child in my name, gives honour to me: and whoever gives honour to me, gives honour not to me, but to him who sent me.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`Whoever may receive one of such children in my name, doth receive me, and whoever may receive me, doth not receive me, but Him who sent me.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752John answered him, saying: Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, who followeth not us: and we forbade him.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Whosoever shall receive one of such little children in my name, receives me; and whosoever shall receive me, does not receive me, but him who sent me.
Context
This verse directly explains the profound significance of the child Jesus placed before them, immediately following the physical demonstration. It links receiving a child in Jesus' name to receiving Jesus and ultimately the Father, building upon the lesson of humility. This teaching transitions to a related discussion about boundaries of ministry, where John expresses concern about someone casting out demons who does not follow them.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 9:48
and said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this little child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same is great.
- John 12:44
And Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.
- Matthew 18:3
and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye turn, and become as little children, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven.
- Matthew 25:40
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of these my brethren, even these least, ye did it unto me.
- Matthew 10:40
He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
- John 5:23
that all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that honoreth not the Son honoreth not the Father that sent him.
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