Mark 9:41

For 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.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(41) Whosoever shall give you a cup of water.—See Note on Matthew 10:42. The reproduction of the promise in so different a context is significant as an instance of our Lord’s method of teaching, reiterating words of blessing and of wisdom till they were engraved indelibly on the minds of those who heard them.

Benson Commentary

Mark 9:41-42. For whosoever shall give you a cup of water, &c. — Having answered John, our Lord resumes the discourse, which was broken off at Mark 9:37. And to show the apostles further, that they had been in the wrong to discourage this person, who must have entertained a great veneration for their Master, and was in a fair way to become his follower, he told them, that the lowest degree of respect which any one showed him, though it were but the giving a cup of cold water to one of his thirsty disciples, would be acceptable to him, and should not lose its reward: whereas, on the other hand, the least discouragement of his servants in their duty, come from what quarter it might, should be severely punished. For he added, Whosoever shall offend: και ος αν σκανδαλιση, whosoever shall cause to stumble one of these little ones — The very least Christian. It is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck — See note on Matthew 18:5-6.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

9:41-50 It is repeatedly said of the wicked, Their worm dieth not, as well as, The fire is never quenched. Doubtless, remorse of conscience and keen self-reflection are this never-dying worm. Surely it is beyond compare better to undergo all possible pain, hardship, and self-denial here, and to be happy for ever hereafter, than to enjoy all kinds of worldly pleasure for a season, and to be miserable for ever. Like the sacrifices, we must be salted with salt; our corrupt affections must be subdued and mortified by the Holy Spirit. Those that have the salt of grace, must show they have a living principle of grace in their hearts, which works out corrupt dispositions in the soul that would offend God, or our own consciences.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Whosoever shall give you a cup ... - How easy it is to be a Christian! What is easier than to give a cup of cold water to a thirsty disciple of Jesus! But it must be in his name - that is, because he "is" a Christian, and therefore from love "to the Saviour." This is very different from giving it from a mere motive of common kindness. If done from love to Christ, it will be rewarded; and hence we learn that the humblest acts of Christians - the lowest service that is rendered - will be graciously noticed by Jesus and rewarded. None are so humble in his kingdom as not to be able to do good, and none so poor that he may not show attachment to him. The feeblest service will be accepted, and acts of love that may be forgotten by man, will be remembered by Him, and rewarded in heaven.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

41. For 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—(See on [1466]Mt 10:42).

Continuation of Teaching Suggested by the Disciples' Strife (Mr 9:42-50).

What follows appears to have no connection with the incidental reproof of John immediately preceding. As that had interrupted some important teaching, our Lord hastens back from it, as if no such interruption had occurred.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

We meet with the same in substance, Matthew 10:42: there the phrase is, in the name of a disciple; here it is expounded, because ye belong to Christ. In my name; upon my account, believing you have a relation to me.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink,.... Not only one that does a miracle in the name of Christ, but he that shows the least respect, or does the least kindness to any one of his; See Gill on Matthew 10:42; is to be reckoned a friend, and is so accounted by Christ; and will be sooner or later taken notice of by him, especially, if what he does, be it ever so little, is done on his account:

in my name, because ye belong to Christ; or as the Syriac version renders it, "on account that ye are Christ's"; are his disciples, are called by his name, are partakers of his grace, bear his image and likeness, are loved by him, interested in him, given to him, redeemed by him called by his grace, and shall be with him:

verily l say unto you, he shall not lose his reward; See Gill on Matthew 10:42.

Geneva Study Bible

For 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.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Meyer's NT Commentary

Mark 9:41. See on Matthew 10:42. There is nothing opposed to the assumption that Jesus uttered such a saying here also, and generally on several occasions.

γάρ refers, by way of assigning a reason, to what immediately precedes, in so far, namely, as the high significance of their position in the world is contained in ὃς οὐκ ἔστι καθʼ ὑμῶν, ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν ἔστιν. “For ye are such important persons as the Messiah’s disciples in the world, that he who shows to you the smallest service of love,” etc.

ἐν ὀνόματι ὅτι κ.τ.λ.] so that this rendering of service has its impelling reason in the name, in the characteristic designation, that ye are Messiah’s disciples, i.e. for the sake of the name. Comp. Winer, p. 346 f. [E. T. 484]. On εἶναί τινος, addictum esse alicui, see Bremi, ad Dem. Phil. III. p. 125, 56; Seidler, ad Eur. El. 1098; Ast, Lex. Plat. I. p. 621.

Expositor's Greek Testament

Mark 9:41 = Matthew 10:42, but a later secondary form of the saying: ποτήριον ὕδατος for π. ψυχραῦ, and ὅτι Χριστοῦ ἐστέ instead of εἰς ὄν. μαθητοῦ.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

41. a cup of water] which all gave readily in those sultry lands.

Bengel's Gnomen

Mark 9:41. Ὃς, who) Jesus, after that He has satisfied the reverently-proposed difficulty felt on the part of John, returns to the former subject.—γὰρ, for) All things are accepted, whereby help is ministered to you, even the smallest things.

[Mark 9:42. καὶ, and) After the reply has been given to John, the former discourse is continued. So Mark 9:42 coheres with Mark 9:37.—V. g.]—περίκειται, is hanged about) The present of the indicative has here an emphasis.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 41. - In my name, because ye belong to Christ. The reading adopted in the Revised Version is, ἐν ὀνόματι ὅτι χριστοῦ ἐστέ: literally, in name, that ye are Christ's; or, because ye are Christ's. The force of this observation seems to be this: "If he who gives you a cup of water to drink in my Name, and out of regard for me, does well, and shall be rewarded of God, much more shall he be rewarded who casts out devils in my Name." The disciples are thus taught that it is contrary to the whole spirit of Christianity to disparage works of beneficence, or to suggest unworthy motives for them (see 'Speaker's Commentary,' in loc.). Mark 9:41