New Testament · Gospel

Mark 16:18

The Empty Tomb

they 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.” Mark 16:18 · Berean Standard Bible
What It Means

Mark 16:18, in plain English

They will handle snakes safely, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won't hurt them. They will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.

Why it's here

These aren't promises of invincibility but signs of God's protection and power as believers carry out His mission. The book of Acts shows many of these being fulfilled.

Who's speaking

Jesus continues describing the signs accompanying believers.

Where it sits in the story

Jesus promises His followers protection and power as they carry the gospel forward. The same God who raised Jesus from the dead will work through them.

A Closer Look

The scholarly reading

Additional signs include picking up opheis (serpents), immunity to deadly pharmakon (poison), and healing through the laying on of hands.

Language and setting

The serpent reference may allude to Luke 10:19 or the incident with Paul in Acts 28:3-6. These signs represent comprehensive protection and healing power accompanying the gospel proclamation.

Voice

Jesus continues listing the miraculous signs attending believers.

Significance

The promises extend to divine protection from harm and the continuation of Jesus' healing ministry through His followers, validating the gospel message with tangible demonstrations.

In context

Mark 16:16–20

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.

20And they went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked through them, confirming His word by the signs that accompanied it.

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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