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Translation
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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
Cyril of Alexandria
"Teacher, we saw one casting out devils in Thy name, and we forbade him." Has the sting of envy troubled the holy disciples? Do they grudge those highly favoured? Have even they admitted within them a passion so abominable and hateful to God? "We saw one, they say, casting out devils in Thy name, and we forbade him." Tell me, dost thou forbid one who in Christ's name troubles Satan, and crushes evil demons? …
Theophylact of Ohrid
Because then our Lord had said, He who is least among you all, the same shall be great, John feared, lest perhaps they had done wrong in hindering a certain man by their own power. For a prohibition does not show the probitor to be inferior, but to be one who thinks himself somewhat superior. Hence it is added, And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and we forbad him. …
Western Saints
Ambrose of Milan
For John loving much, and therefore much beloved, thinks that they should be excluded from the privilege who did not practise obedience.
Bede
But answering, John said: Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him, because he does not follow with us. John, loving the Lord with special devotion and thus worthy to be loved back, thought he should be excluded from the benefit who did not use his service. But he is taught that no one should be excluded from the good he has in part, but rather to be encouraged towards what he does not yet have.
Bonaventure
But John answering etc. After the teaching of humility toward those of one's own household, he teaches that humility must be maintained toward outsiders: concerning the introduction of which, three things are set forth. For first there is introduced on the part of the outsider the operation of virtue; second, on the part of the disciple the prohibition of rashness; third, on the part of the Master the persuasion of humility. …
Translation