The phrase does not gather with me scatters is a reference to a verse in the Bible, specifically Matthew 12:30 and Luke 11:23. The full verse reads: Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. This verse has been interpreted in various ways, but it generally conveys the idea that one cannot be neutral or indifferent towards Jesus and his mission; one is either with him or against him. The act of gathering is often understood as helping or working with Jesus, while scattering refers to opposing or hindering his work.
What You'll Learn
- The Bible verse does not gather with me scatters appears in Matthew 12:30 and Luke 11:23
- The verse is a warning that there is no neutral ground in the battle between good and evil
- The verse is about gathering citizens into the kingdom of God
- The verse is a reaction to the Pharisees' accusation that Jesus was casting out demons by the power of Satan
- The verse is about the inclusivity of Jesus' view of those who do God's work
The Bible verse does not gather with me scatters appears in Matthew 12:30 and Luke 11:23
The Bible verse "does not gather with me scatters" appears in Matthew 12:30 and Luke 11:23. This verse is part of Jesus' teachings and is often interpreted as a warning to those who do not accept or follow Him.
In Matthew 12:25-28, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for accusing Him of casting out demons by the power of Satan. Jesus refutes this claim, stating that He works against Satan and is gathering citizens for the kingdom of God. The verse in question draws a line in the sand, stating that those who do not accept and follow Him are against Him and are scattering citizens instead of gathering them. This is further supported by Mark 9:40, where Jesus says, "The one who is not against us is for us."
Luke 11:23 is often seen as a companion verse to Luke 9:50, which states, "...whoever is not against you is for you." While Luke 9:50 seems inclusive, Luke 11:23 appears more exclusive, suggesting that those who accuse Jesus of working with Satan are locked in a negative consciousness. Jesus is responding to the idea that His healing power must come from Satan, stating that His work is the antithesis of Satan's intentions.
The verse "does not gather with me scatters" emphasizes the importance of taking sides in the spiritual struggle between good and evil, light and darkness, and God and Satan. Indifference or neutrality is not an option, as not actively helping is seen as hindering.
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The verse is a warning that there is no neutral ground in the battle between good and evil
The Bible verse, "Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters", found in both the books of Matthew and Luke, serves as a powerful reminder of the spiritual battle between good and evil. This verse underscores the importance of actively choosing to stand with Jesus, as neutrality is not an option in this cosmic conflict. Those who do not gather with Christ are, by default, scattering and working against His mission of redemption and restoration.
This verse presents a stark contrast between those who are "with" Jesus and those who are "against" Him. It highlights the urgency of alignment with Christ, indicating that any form of indifference or passive observance is not acceptable. The phrase "does not gather with me scatters" conveys the idea that inaction or indifference has detrimental consequences in the spiritual realm. It suggests that failing to actively gather with Christ results in contributing to division and dissension, which are counter to God's unifying purpose.
The imagery of gathering and scattering is significant. Gathering implies a purposeful act of unification, reflecting God's desire to bring people together in harmony and community. On the other hand, scattering conveys a sense of dispersion and disunity, representing the destructive nature of evil that seeks to separate and isolate. By using this imagery, the verse emphasizes the active role that individuals play in either advancing God's kingdom or inadvertently contributing to its opposition.
In the context of Jesus' ministry, this verse takes on additional depth. Jesus had just confronted the Pharisees, who accused Him of casting out demons by Satan's power (Matthew 12:22–24). In response, Jesus declared that He was working against Satan's domain of darkness (Matthew 12:28–29). By drawing a clear line in the sand, Jesus challenged the Pharisees and the listening crowds to recognize that there could be no neutrality in this spiritual battle. Either they were with Him, participating in His mission of gathering citizens into God's kingdom, or they were against Him, scattering and hindering the advancement of God's redemptive plan.
This verse serves as a stark reminder that the battle between good and evil is ever-present, and individuals must actively choose their allegiance. It underscores the importance of unity and collective effort in advancing God's kingdom. By presenting the dichotomy of gathering and scattering, Jesus emphasizes the impact of personal choices and actions in the broader spiritual conflict. Ultimately, this verse calls believers to a place of commitment and action, where their active participation in God's work makes a significant difference.
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The verse is about gathering citizens into the kingdom of God
The Bible verse "Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters" appears in the books of both Matthew and Luke. In this verse, Jesus is addressing the Pharisees, who have accused him of casting out demons by the power of Satan. Jesus is declaring that, contrary to their charges, he is working against Satan.
Jesus is drawing a line in the sand: whoever is not with him in his mission to gather citizens into his kingdom is guilty of scattering them and, therefore, stands against the Holy Spirit and the kingdom of God. This is a warning to all who hear him—nobody can remain neutral on the issue of Jesus. He demands full acceptance and participation in his mission from those who are with him. Anyone who does not join him is on the other side, regardless of their intentions.
Jesus' statement also has a positive version: "The one who is not against us is for us." This means that even those who are not part of his ministry but are doing God's work are still ultimately helping his cause.
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The verse is a reaction to the Pharisees' accusation that Jesus was casting out demons by the power of Satan
The phrase "does not gather with me scatters" is a reference to a Bible verse from Matthew 12:30 and Luke 11:23, which reads: "Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters." This verse is a reaction to the Pharisees' accusation that Jesus was casting out demons by the power of Satan, also known as Beelzebul or Beelzebub, the prince of demons.
In Matthew 12:22-29, we find the third of four confrontations between Jesus and the Pharisees. The Pharisees were unable to deny Jesus' miraculous power, but they refused to accept that he could be the long-awaited Messiah. Instead, they accused him of being a demonic agent, performing miracles in the devil's name. They claimed that the only reason Jesus had the power to cast out demons was that he was working for Satan.
Jesus refuted this accusation by pointing out the flimsiness of their logic. He argued that a kingdom, community, or house divided against itself cannot stand. If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself, and his kingdom will fall. Therefore, Jesus concluded that he was not casting out demons by the authority of the ruler of demons but by the power of God.
The verse, "Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters," can be understood in the context of this confrontation. Jesus is drawing a clear line between those who are with him and those who are against him. He is saying that indifference or neutrality is not an option. Those who are not actively gathering with him and doing God's work are scattering and working against him.
This verse has been interpreted as a call to action for those who follow Jesus. It suggests that one must take sides and actively work towards gathering and building God's kingdom. Indifference or inaction is not acceptable, as it only serves to hinder and scatter.
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The verse is about the inclusivity of Jesus' view of those who do God's work
The phrase "does not gather with me scatters" comes from the Bible, appearing in the books of Matthew and Luke. The full verse is: "Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters."
This verse has been interpreted as a statement about the inclusivity of Jesus' view of those who do God's work. According to one interpretation, the verse suggests that Jesus was open to different pathways to achieving good results, such as healing, abundance, and love. This is contrasted with another verse, Luke 11:23, which states, "Anyone who is not with me is against me, and anyone who does not gather with me scatters." This verse has been interpreted as a warning against those who were skeptical of Jesus' healing powers, accusing him of being locked in a negative consciousness and perceiving his work with suspicion and opposition.
Jesus' statement in Matthew and Luke emphasizes the importance of working together towards a common goal. By not gathering with him, people were seen as scattering or creating division. This interpretation highlights the idea that neutrality is not an option when it comes to following Jesus; one is either with him or against him.
Overall, the verse can be seen as a call to unity and collaboration in service of God, with an understanding that there may be multiple valid pathways to achieving good results.
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Frequently asked questions
The phrase "does not gather with me scatters" is a reference to a Bible verse, specifically Matthew 12:30 and Luke 11:23. The full verse reads, "Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters." This verse is often interpreted as a call to action, suggesting that those who do not actively support Jesus' mission are working against him.
In the verses leading up to Matthew 12:30 and Luke 11:23, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for accusing him of casting out demons by the power of Satan. Jesus refutes this claim, stating that he is working against Satan and gathering citizens for the kingdom of God.
The phrase emphasizes the importance of taking a stand and actively supporting Jesus' mission. It suggests that neutrality is not an option and that failing to gather with Jesus is equivalent to scattering or working against him.
The verse serves as a reminder that individuals cannot remain neutral on issues concerning Jesus. It calls for full acceptance and participation in his mission, which can be applied to modern-day situations where individuals are encouraged to take a stand and actively support causes they believe in.
Yes, Mark 9:40 includes a similar message, where Jesus says, "Whoever is not against us is for us." This verse suggests that all paths are valid if they lead to positive and loving results, which contrasts with the more exclusionary message of Matthew 12:30 and Luke 11:23.