Luke 9:50

he that is not against us is for us Cf. Philippians 1:18. The complementarybut not contradictory truth to this, is "He who is not with me is against me," Matthew 12:30. Both are true in different circumstances. Neutrality is sometimes as deadly as opposition (Judges 5:23); it is sometimes as effectual as aid (Sueton., Jul. Caes.75). See Vinet, La tolerance et I'intolerance de I'Evangile (Discours,p. 268). Renan calls these "two irreconcilable rules of proselytism, and a contradiction evoked by a passionate struggle." Guizot expresses his astonishment at so frivolous a criticism, and calls them two contrasted facts which every one must have noticed in the course of an active life. "Les deux assertions, loin de se contredire, peuvent etre egalement vraies, et Jesus- Christ en les exprimant a parle en observateur sagace, non en moraliste qui donne les preceptes." Miditations,p. 229.

It is a great pity that the chapter does not end at this verse; since it closes another great section in our Lord's ministry the epoch of opposition and flight. A new phase of the ministry begins at Luke 9:51.