What Does Luke 9:50 Mean in the King James?
And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
Being outside your circle does not make someone your opponent; Jesus measures the person by whether they oppose the good at hand.
THE MEANING
Jesus interrupts the urge to treat someone as an enemy simply because he stands outside the disciples’ circle. Here, not opposing them counts as being for them. Belonging is measured by the direction of the person’s actions, not by the circle that claims him.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The belief that someone must carry your group’s label to be for you.
THE ROOT
κωλύω
kōlyō
GROWS FROM
κωλυ-
To hinder, prevent, or hold back.
“forbid” in this verse is kōlyō. The Greek word κωλύω (kōlyō, to hinder) brings the act of obstruction into focus: Jesus is stopping the disciples from blocking someone else’s work. The question is not whether the man carries their label, but whether he is acting against them.
ALSO GROWS
kṓlyma: Hindrance, obstacle.
κώλυμα
This branch names the barrier the disciples are trying to place between the man and his work.
akṓlytos: Unhindered, unimpeded.
ἀκώλυτος
Its opposite shows what Jesus’ words make possible: the man’s work is allowed to proceed without their obstruction.
THE PATTERN
The boundaries people set do not determine who may take part in God’s work or come near.
And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the LORD’s people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!For he that is not against us is on our part.But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.THE THREAD
But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.The same verb κωλύω (kōlyō, to hinder) appears in Jesus’ words, “forbid them not.” In both verses, Jesus identifies the barrier people impose as an obstruction to someone already moving toward his work or presence.
Read the SDV Bible.
Every verse has a Deep Dive in the app.
The iPhone Bible app with the Selah Decoded Version.
Does something in this reading look wrong? Tell us