Mark 16:17 kjv
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
Mark 16:17 nkjv
And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;
Mark 16:17 niv
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 esv
And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues;
Mark 16:17 nlt
These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages.
Mark 16 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Signs Attesting Truth/Faith | ||
| Acts 2:4 | All were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues... | Holy Spirit empowering tongues (Pentecost) |
| Acts 4:29-31 | And now, Lord... grant that your servants may... speak your word with great boldness... and signs and wonders are performed | Prayer for boldness and accompanying signs |
| Acts 5:12 | Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. | Apostles' ministry accompanied by signs |
| Rom 15:19 | by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God. | Paul's ministry confirmed by signs |
| Heb 2:4 | God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit. | God attests salvation through signs |
| Casting Out Demons | ||
| Mt 12:28 | But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. | Jesus casts out demons by Spirit |
| Lk 10:17 | The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!" | Disciples' authority over demons |
| Acts 16:18 | Paul, greatly annoyed... turned and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." | Paul casts out demon in Jesus' name |
| Speaking in Tongues | ||
| Acts 2:6-11 | And at this sound the multitude came together... For each one was hearing them speak in his own language. | Disciples speak in actual languages |
| 1 Cor 12:10 | to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. | Tongues as a spiritual gift (diverse) |
| 1 Cor 14:2-4 | For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God... Edifies himself | Tongues as a gift for self-edification/prayer |
| Power in "My Name" (Jesus' Authority) | ||
| Jn 14:13 | Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. | Authority in Jesus' Name for prayer |
| Jn 16:23-24 | If you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. | Authority in Jesus' Name for prayer |
| Acts 3:6 | Peter said, "I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise and walk!" | Healing in Jesus' Name |
| Phil 2:9-11 | God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow. | Jesus' Name signifies ultimate authority |
| Connection to Belief/Faith | ||
| Jn 14:12 | Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do | Believers do works through Jesus |
| Gal 3:5 | Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law or by hearing with faith? | Spirit and miracles through faith |
| 1 Pet 1:8 | Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy | Joy and belief without sight of Jesus |
| Commission & Authority | ||
| Mk 16:15 | Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. | The Great Commission's command |
| Mt 28:18-20 | All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations... | All authority for disciple making |
| Lk 9:1 | He called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases. | Jesus grants disciples power and authority |
Mark 16 verses
Mark 16 17 Meaning
Mark 16:17 proclaims specific miraculous signs that will be observed among those who genuinely believe in Jesus Christ. These manifestations, including casting out demons and speaking in new tongues, serve as divine attestations, demonstrating the authority and power that accompanies the preaching of the Gospel and the faith of its adherents. They signify the reality of God's work through His disciples, confirming His presence and validating the message of the resurrected Christ.
Mark 16 17 Context
Mark 16:17 is part of the "longer ending" of Mark's Gospel (Mark 16:9-20), a passage widely accepted as canonical and present in numerous early manuscripts, although some scholarly debate exists regarding its oldest manuscript origins. It immediately follows Jesus' Great Commission (Mk 16:15-16), where He commands His disciples to go into all the world and preach the Gospel. Thus, the signs described in verse 17 are presented as powerful accompaniments to the worldwide proclamation of the message of salvation, providing divine validation to both the messenger and the message itself.
The historical context reflects the early Christian movement's emphasis on demonstrating divine power. In a world permeated by pagan beliefs, spiritualism, and various cults, overt manifestations of God's power through believers provided compelling evidence for the unique truth and supremacy of the Christian faith. It validated the disciples' claims about Jesus' resurrection and authority, combating the prevalent spiritual darkness and philosophical systems of the time.
Mark 16 17 Word analysis
- And: Connects the previous statement (the call to preach the gospel and belief leading to salvation) with the resulting phenomena. It signals a consequence or accompanying truth.
- these signs: Greek: sēmeia (σημεῖα). Refers to supernatural actions or miraculous displays that serve as indicators or proofs, specifically pointing to divine authentication. They are not merely wonders but point to a greater truth or purpose, affirming God's active involvement and the truth of His word.
- will accompany: Greek: parakolouthēsousin (παρακολουθήσουσιν). From parakoloutheō (παρακολουθέω), meaning "to follow along," "attend," "accompany closely," or "to grasp something well and thoroughly." Here, it implies that the signs are naturally aligned with and manifest alongside believers, indicating a pervasive and observable reality, rather than a forced or contrived event.
- those who believe: Greek: tois pisteusasin (τοῖς πιστεύσασιν). Refers to those who have faith, actively placing their trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. This belief is the fundamental prerequisite and condition for the signs to be observed among them, highlighting faith as the channel of divine power.
- In my name: Greek: en tō onomati mou (ἐν τῷ ὀνόματί μου). A pivotal phrase indicating authority, power, and representation. It does not refer to a mere vocalization of "Jesus" as a magical formula, but rather acting by the authority, power, character, and person of Jesus Christ. It means exercising the power and authority granted by Him, for His purposes, and relying solely on His inherent divine strength.
- they will cast out demons: Greek: daimonia ekbalousin (δαιμόνια ἐκβαλοῦσιν). Refers to expelling or driving out evil spirits. This was a significant part of Jesus' own ministry, demonstrating His triumph over the forces of darkness and the inauguration of God's Kingdom. For believers, it signifies authority over spiritual wickedness, enabled by Christ's victory.
- they will speak in new tongues: Greek: glōssais kainais lalēsousin (γλώσσαις καιναῖς λαλήσουσιν). "New tongues" or "new languages." This refers to divinely empowered speech in languages previously unknown to the speaker. As demonstrated at Pentecost (Acts 2), these could be understandable human languages for evangelistic purposes or non-human languages for prayer and spiritual edification, given by the Holy Spirit. This is a supernatural sign confirming the Spirit's presence and empowering cross-cultural communication of the Gospel.
Mark 16 17 Bonus section
While some manuscript traditions show a shorter ending for Mark's Gospel or omit Mark 16:9-20, the longer ending (including verse 17) has been part of the canonical Bible for centuries, affirmed by its widespread inclusion in ancient texts and church usage. The specific nature of "new tongues" mentioned here finds its clearest interpretive light in the book of Acts, particularly Acts 2, where it is presented as the ability to speak in existing human languages previously unknown to the speaker, for the purpose of communicating the Gospel. This sign served to overcome linguistic barriers and demonstrate God's inclusive intent for all nations. These accompanying signs underscore the active and miraculous nature of the Christian faith rooted in the resurrected power of Christ.
Mark 16 17 Commentary
Mark 16:17 sets forth an expectation of divine authentication accompanying true believers, specifically in the initial phase of the Gospel's proclamation. The signs enumerated are not the ends of the Christian life but are manifestations of the living God working through His Spirit in those who genuinely put their faith in Jesus. They serve to confirm the spoken word, provide clear evidence of God's presence, and display the power of Christ over spiritual darkness and human limitations. While the primary context for such dramatic signs was the establishment of the early church and the initial global spread of the Gospel, they remain an indication of the active power available in His name for every generation of believers to advance His kingdom. The emphasis lies on belief and acting under Jesus' authority.