New Testament · Gospel

Mark 16:17

The Empty Tomb

And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; Mark 16:17 · Berean Standard Bible
What It Means

Mark 16:17, in plain English

Jesus says that believers will be able to drive out demons in His name and speak in new languages.

Why it's here

Jesus is promising that His power won't leave when He does. His followers will continue doing the kinds of things He did, in His name and by His authority.

Who's speaking

Jesus describes the signs that will follow believers.

Where it sits in the story

The work doesn't stop when Jesus leaves. He's empowering His followers to carry on with the same power and authority He demonstrated during His ministry.

A Closer Look

The scholarly reading

Jesus promises semeia (signs) accompanying believers: casting out daimonia (demons) and speaking glossais kainais (new tongues/languages).

Language and setting

These signs are presented as authenticating marks of the gospel's advance, partially fulfilled in Acts (exorcisms in Acts 16:18; tongues at Pentecost in Acts 2:4).

Voice

Jesus describes the supernatural signs that will accompany believing communities.

Significance

The risen Christ promises that His power will continue to operate through His followers, authenticating the gospel message with demonstrations of spiritual authority.

In context

Mark 16:15–19

15And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.

16Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

17And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;

18they will pick up snakes with their hands, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not harm them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will be made well.”

19After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.

Read all of Mark 16 — Three women arrive at dawn expecting a corpse. They find a young man in white and a message that rewrites everything: he is risen.

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