Mark 16 16

Mark 16:16 kjv

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Mark 16:16 nkjv

He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

Mark 16:16 niv

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

Mark 16:16 esv

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

Mark 16:16 nlt

Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.

Mark 16 verses

H2 MeaningThis verse from the Great Commission provides the terms for receiving God's salvation and avoiding condemnation. It states that salvation is given to those who believe in Jesus Christ and are subsequently baptized, signifying their inward faith through outward obedience. Conversely, those who actively reject or do not believe in Jesus Christ are already condemned, highlighting that the ultimate barrier to salvation is unbelief.

H2 Cross References

H2 ContextMark 16:16 is part of what is commonly referred to as the "Longer Ending of Mark" (Mk 16:9-20), though its textual authenticity has been historically debated by scholars. Regardless of this debate, the passage consistently portrays a theological emphasis aligned with the rest of the New Testament. This specific verse follows Jesus' final appearance to His disciples and His commission for them to go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel (Mk 16:15). It outlines the divinely ordained process for salvation and the severe consequence for rejecting the message. Historically, in the early Church, belief (faith) and baptism were seen as closely linked, with baptism being the public confession and entry rite into the Christian community, typically following conversion. The immediate audience would understand baptism as an act of allegiance to Christ and a significant departure from old ways of life.

H2 Word analysis

• He who believes (ὁ πιστεύσας - ho pisteusas):

  • This is an aorist active participle in Greek, denoting a completed, decisive act of believing or placing faith. It implies more than mere intellectual assent; it speaks of a personal, trusting surrender to Jesus as Savior and Lord.
  • Significance: Salvation is contingent upon a specific, saving faith. It is an internal conviction and commitment.

• and is baptized (καὶ βαπτισθεὶς - kai baptistheis):

  • This is an aorist passive participle, indicating the action of being immersed (from baptizo, meaning to dip, immerse, or submerge). It signifies an outward act performed on the believer.
  • Significance: Baptism is a commanded ordinance for believers, a public declaration of faith, identification with Christ's death and resurrection, and spiritual cleansing/renewal. It symbolizes entrance into the new covenant community.

• will be saved (σωθήσεται - sōthēsetai):

  • This is a future passive indicative, meaning "will be delivered," "will be preserved," or "will experience salvation." The passive voice highlights that salvation is an act of God upon the individual.
  • Significance: It refers to deliverance from sin, death, and God's righteous judgment, bringing the believer into eternal life and a right relationship with God.

• but he who does not believe (ὁ δὲ ἀπιστήσας - ho de apistas):

  • Again, an aorist active participle, but with the negative prefix 'a-' (apistia - unbelief). This signifies a decisive act or state of unbelief or a refusal to place trust in Christ.
  • Significance: The absence or active rejection of saving faith. This highlights the foundational nature of belief for salvation.

• will be condemned (κατακριθήσεται - katakrithēsetai):

  • This is a future passive indicative, meaning "will be judged against" or "will be sentenced."
  • Significance: The inevitable divine judgment and eternal separation from God for those who reject the Gospel. Condemnation stems directly from unbelief, not primarily from the absence of baptism.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "He who believes and is baptized will be saved": This phrase outlines the normal pattern for entering into salvation in the early Christian context: an internal spiritual commitment (faith) followed by an external, obedient demonstration (baptism). It reflects the complete response expected of someone embracing the Gospel. It underscores that true saving faith will naturally lead to acts of obedience, including baptism where possible.
  • "but he who does not believe will be condemned": This critical second clause serves to clarify the absolute necessity of belief. It conspicuously omits any mention of baptism in connection with condemnation. This grammatical structure implies that while baptism is a commanded component of the believer's walk leading to salvation, unbelief alone is sufficient for condemnation. It safeguards against a mechanistic view of baptism where the ritual itself saves irrespective of faith, firmly rooting salvation's prerequisite in belief.

H2 CommentaryMark 16:16 is a clear declaration from Jesus concerning the path to salvation and the consequence of its rejection. It establishes a divine pattern for entry into the Kingdom: genuine, saving faith in Jesus Christ, coupled with the outward act of baptism. Baptism, in this context, is not presented as a standalone magical ritual, but as an integral expression and public validation of the inner conversion experience. It signifies a person's identification with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection (Rom 6:3-4), a "washing of regeneration" by the Spirit (Tit 3:5), and a conscious decision to walk in newness of life. It is the commanded first step of obedience for one who has believed.

Crucially, the second part of the verse, "but he who does not believe will be condemned," provides essential clarification. It states that unbelief is the sole, direct cause of condemnation. The absence of baptism is not listed as a reason for condemnation. This highlights the primacy of faith; salvation is ultimately by God's grace through faith (Eph 2:8). For someone who genuinely believes but is providentially unable to be baptized (e.g., the thief on the cross, those dying immediately after conversion), their salvation remains secure due to their faith. The verse therefore describes the normative and commanded path for salvation but strongly implies that it is the presence or absence of belief that determines one's eternal destiny.

Examples: A new convert in an unreached region might believe instantly but not have immediate access to water for baptism; their salvation is secured by their belief. Conversely, someone could undergo the physical ritual of baptism without genuine faith and would not be saved, for "he who does not believe will be condemned."

H2 Bonus sectionThe close textual link between belief and baptism in this verse reflects the practice of the early church as evidenced throughout the book of Acts (e.g., Acts 2:38, Acts 8:12, Acts 18:8). Baptism was the immediate and public demonstration of conversion, an integral part of becoming a disciple. The absence of this outward sign was generally understood as a sign that true saving faith might be lacking. This verse is not about denying salvation to those who sincerely believe but cannot be baptized. Instead, it powerfully affirms that belief in Christ is the indispensable prerequisite for salvation and that condemnation is the inevitable outcome of rejecting Him. This commission from Christ emphasizes the urgency and transformative power of the Gospel for all humanity.