9:50 not against us. See also Mark 9:38-40. This seems superficially to conflict with Christ’s statements in Luke 9:23; 11:23; etc. However, they refer to two different situations. When a person attempts to be neutral about Christ, he is really against Him, but when a person is sincerely trying to honor Him but doing it more out of ignorant zeal than full understanding, the Lord recognizes that he is really for Him, and will not discourage him from his efforts. In fact, by implication, Christ will somehow see to it that his sincerity will be rewarded with greater understanding (e.g., Hebrews 11:6; John 7:17).