Mark 9:41
What does Mark 9:41 mean?
A plain-English look at Mark 9:41 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Mark 9:41 means
Jesus assures His disciples that even the smallest act of kindness—giving a cup of water—extended to them simply because they belong to Christ, will not go unrewarded. This emphasizes the value God places on every act of service and support to His followers, no matter how minor it seems. It encourages faithful deeds motivated by allegiance to Christ, promising divine recognition for genuine love and care for His people.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink, because ye are Christ’s, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink, because ye are Christ’s, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Whoever gives you a cup of water, because you are Christ's, truly I say to you, he will in no way be without his reward.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for whoever may give you to drink a cup of water in my name, because ye are Christ's, verily I say to you, he may not lose his reward;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And whosoever shall scandalize one of these little ones that believe in me: it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck and he were cast into the sea.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in [my] name, because ye are Christ's, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
Context
This verse provides a positive example of inclusive action, immediately following Jesus' principle that "he who is not against us is for us." It illustrates how even small acts of kindness rooted in Christ-identification are valued and divinely rewarded, further expanding the understanding of kingdom cooperation. This teaching then shifts dramatically to the severe consequences for those who cause believers to stumble, showing the gravity of how one treats others in faith.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 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 10:42
And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only, in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you he shall in no wise lose his reward.
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