John related how he had seen someone expelling demons in Jesus’ name and had forbidden him to do so, Mark 9:38 / Luke 9:49-50. Evidently, John thought that no one should have been doing any work for the Lord who wasn’t following in their immediate company, Philippians 1:15-18.
But Jesus had commissioned many to go out, preach, and expel demons. He was pleased with those who were faithfully serving Him in other places. There seems to be some arrogance on the part of the disciples here against one they considered unauthorized to work miracles in the name of Jesus. This one may have been one of the disciples who was previously sent out by Jesus to cast out demons, Luke 10:1-17.
We aren’t told who this person was, he was simply doing this work in the name of Jesus. Whatever the case, the disciples weren’t happy with his work. Because he wasn’t in what the disciples considered to be the inner circle of disciples, Luke 9:49, they thought that he should be discouraged from his work.
They thus manifested their sectarian attitude, thinking that this disciple should be a member of their party before he could truly represent Jesus. Notice Jesus didn’t condemn the work of the disciple who was casting out demons in His name. It was the enemy of righteousness about whom the disciples must be concerned, not someone who was giving glory to Jesus by his works.
Jesus wants the disciples not to discourage the good works of those who are not of their social group. It is interesting in this context to note that this exorcist was doing what the disciples couldn’t do for lack of faith, Mark 9:29 / Mark 9:18-19. Therefore, the effective work of the unknown disciple may have intimidated the disciples concerning their weak faith.
Jesus’ teaching on this matter went beyond good works. His teaching focused on acceptance, not rejection. The disciples of Jesus must be known for their willingness to accept, not eagerness to find occasions for rejection. The disciples must learn how to receive those with whom they may disagree.
Jesus says, for no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever isn’t against us is for us, Mark 9:39-40. Jesus tells the disciples that whoever welcomes them, welcomes Jesus, Matthew 10:40, that is, anyone who welcomes the disciples and accepts their teaching, is really welcoming Jesus and His teaching, John 13:20 / Acts 16:15 / Galatians 4:14 / 2 John 9.
The word, ‘prophet’, Matthew 10:41, isn’t used in reference to foretelling the future but in terms of teaching God’s Word, Matthew 5:20 / John 13:20. The one who received the disciple would receive a reward from God suitable to one who had entertained one of God’s representatives.
Gill, in his commentary, says the following.
‘By ‘a prophet’ is meant, not one that foretells things to come, but a preacher of the Gospel, for as prophesying sometimes signifies preaching, so a prophet designs a minister of the word, and to ‘receive’ him, is not only to embrace his doctrine, but to entertain him in a kind, and generous manner, and he that does this, ‘in the name of a prophet’, not as coming in the name of another prophet, but upon this account, and for this consideration, because he himself is a prophet.’
Constable, in his commentary, says the following.
‘The disciples were righteous men who represented another righteous man, Jesus. God would give those who received the disciples as righteous men a reward in keeping with what a righteous man deserves, Matthew 5:20 / John 13:20.’
To give a cup of cold water in His Name, Mark 9:41 / Matthew 10:39 / Colossians 3:17, even just a drink, to one of the least of Jesus’ followers, is to be blessed, to receive a reward, Matthew 10:42. He is telling them how rewarding giving can be. Even that which we take completely for granted, when given in love, is a blessing to both giver and receiver.
The ‘little ones’ is a reference to the disciples of Christ, those who would suffer for Him. Whoever gives even a cup of cold water to them, will certainly not lose their reward in heaven, Mark 9:41 / Matthew 10:42 / Matthew 25:40 / Hebrews 6:10. Anyone who assists one of them by giving him or her even a cup of refreshing cold water in His Name will receive a reward from God. The point is that no act of kindness for one of Jesus’ suffering disciples will pass without God’s reward.
Bell, in his commentary, says the following.
‘Note the descending climax a prophet, a righteous man, a little one; signifying that however low we come down in our services to those that are Christ’s, all that is done for His sake, and that bears the stamp of love to His awesome name, shall be divinely appreciated and owned and rewarded.’
Jesus pointed out the disciple’s secular attitude, they thought that this other unnamed disciple should be a member of ‘their group’ before he could truly represent Jesus.
It’s all so easy to point at other people in other religious groups and highlight the things they are doing in Jesus’ Name, but we must look at ourselves first and have the attitude that Jesus was teaching them. God knows what people’s motives are and He knows whose genuine or not, Hebrews 4:13.
Jesus taught them to think and live radically different, to self-examine, he wants us to cut off a hand or a foot or pluck out an eye in order to avoid abandoning Him. As I mentioned He isn’t speaking literally, but He was emphasising that Christians should sacrifice anything that’s tempting them to sin. Our eternal salvation is at stake and hell should be taken seriously because when we do, we will do everything possible to avoid it.