Mark 16:18 kjv
They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Mark 16:18 nkjv
they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."
Mark 16:18 niv
they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."
Mark 16:18 esv
they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover."
Mark 16:18 nlt
They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won't hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed."
Mark 16 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Divine Protection (Snakes & Poison) | ||
| Acts 28:3-6 | Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and put it on the fire; and a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. ... Paul, however, shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. | Paul’s viper incident. |
| Ps 91:13 | You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will stomp on the great lion and the serpent. | Protection from venomous creatures. |
| Ps 91:6 | nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. | Protection from unseen dangers/harm. |
| Ps 91:10 | no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. | General divine protection. |
| Isa 43:2 | When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. | God's presence and preservation through dangers. |
| Lk 10:19 | I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. | Authority over spiritual and physical dangers. |
| Divine Healing (Laying Hands on Sick) | ||
| Mk 16:17 | And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; | Other signs accompanying believers. |
| Lk 9:1 | When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases. | Disciples given power to heal. |
| Lk 10:9 | Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ | Instruction to heal in ministry. |
| Mk 6:13 | They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them. | Disciples healing. |
| Acts 3:6-8 | Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” ... He jumped to his feet and began to walk. | Peter heals the lame man. |
| Acts 5:12 | The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. | General statement of apostolic signs. |
| Acts 5:16 | Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by evil spirits, and all of them were healed. | Many people healed through apostles. |
| Acts 8:7 | For with loud shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. | Philip performing healing signs. |
| Acts 9:17-18 | Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. | Ananias heals Saul/Paul’s blindness. |
| Acts 19:11-12 | God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them. | Paul’s extraordinary healing ministry. |
| Jas 5:14-15 | Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. | Healing through prayer and anointing. |
| Divine Commission & Empowerment | ||
| Mt 28:19-20 | Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. | The Great Commission includes divine presence. |
| Jn 14:12 | Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and in fact will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. | Believers to do greater works. |
| Acts 1:8 | But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. | Empowerment by the Holy Spirit for witness. |
| Heb 2:4 | God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. | God authenticates the message with signs. |
Mark 16 verses
Mark 16 18 Meaning
Mark 16:18 outlines specific miraculous signs that would accompany believers as they spread the Gospel after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. These signs, including protection from natural dangers like snakes and poisons, and the power to heal the sick through the laying on of hands, serve to authenticate the divine origin of their message and the power of the living Lord working through them. These are not commands to test God but assurances of divine provision and enablement for effective ministry.
Mark 16 18 Context
Mark 16:18 is part of what is commonly referred to as the "Longer Ending of Mark" (Mark 16:9-20). While some ancient manuscripts omit these verses, they have been widely accepted and transmitted as part of canonical Scripture by many Christian traditions and were integral to early Church teaching regarding the ongoing miraculous activity of God through believers. The preceding verses (16:15-16) describe Jesus' Great Commission to His disciples, instructing them to go into all the world and preach the Gospel. Mark 16:17 sets the stage for miraculous accompaniments by stating, "And these signs will accompany those who believe." Verse 18 then details specific manifestations of divine power, following the general mention of driving out demons and speaking in new tongues. Historically and culturally, signs and wonders were often expected and valued as authenticators of divine power and messengers in the ancient world, distinguishing genuine spiritual authority from human-driven endeavors. This passage underscores that the Christian message, though spiritual, comes with demonstrable evidence of God's active involvement.
Mark 16 18 Word analysis
They will pick up (αροῦσιν - arousin): From airō, meaning to take up, lift up, carry away. This implies an active, intentional engagement with, or presence around, rather than a casual accidental encounter. It's about being in situations where one might handle or be near snakes.
snakes (ὄφεις - opheis): Plural of ophis, meaning a serpent, snake. Often symbolically associated with evil (Gen 3:1) or danger. Here, literal venomous serpents are indicated, suggesting divine protection from physical harm in dangerous environments.
with their hands (ἐν ταῖς χερσίν - en tais chersin): Emphasizes direct physical interaction.
and when they drink (κἀν τι πίωσιν - k’an ti piōsin): Literally "and if they drink something."
deadly poison (θανάσιμον - thanasimon): From thanatos (death), meaning deadly, fatal, lethal. Not necessarily suggesting a believer would intentionally drink poison to test God, but that they would be protected if maliciously or accidentally exposed to it, possibly as a form of assassination attempt during their missionary endeavors. There is no specific Biblical example of this occurring, highlighting its miraculous nature and divine provision.
it will not hurt them at all (οὐ μὴ αὐτοὺς βλάψῃ - ou mē autous blapsē): A strong double negative in Greek, emphasizing absolute certainty of protection—"they shall by no means be harmed."
they will place their hands on (ἐπὶ ἀρρώστους χεῖρας ἐπιθήσουσιν - epi arrōstous cheiras epithēsousin): A common and well-documented practice throughout the New Testament for imparting blessings, conveying authority, or facilitating divine healing (e.g., Acts 6:6, 1 Tim 5:22). It represents a physical point of contact for the flow of God's power.
sick people (ἀρρώστους - arrōstous): Plural of arrōstos, meaning sick, weak, diseased. Refers to those afflicted with physical ailments.
and they will get well (καὶ καλῶς ἕξουσιν - kai kalōs hexousin): Literally "and they will have well" or "will be well." Indicates full recovery, complete restoration to health. This is the desired and promised outcome of the prayer and laying on of hands.
Words-group Analysis:
- "They will pick up snakes... not hurt them at all": This promise signifies extraordinary divine immunity against environmental or adversarial threats, highlighting that God’s mission often places believers in dangerous situations, but He provides supernatural protection. It's about resilience for the sake of the Kingdom, not reckless behavior. The Acts 28 incident with Paul exemplifies the first part.
- "They will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well": This phrase emphasizes the continuation of Jesus’ healing ministry through His followers. It points to a direct, tangible manifestation of divine power to reverse disease and bring wholeness, serving as a powerful attestation to the truth of the Gospel being proclaimed.
Mark 16 18 Bonus Section
- Purpose of Signs: These signs serve as attesting proofs (signa corroborantia) for the Gospel message, much as Jesus' own miracles attested to His messiahship. They are not merely for personal edification but primarily for authenticating the preacher and confirming the word proclaimed (cf. Heb 2:4).
- Not a Dare: It is crucial to understand that these verses do not endorse testing God or engaging in reckless acts (Mt 4:7; Lk 4:12). Rather, they refer to divine protection granted amidst the dangers naturally encountered while fulfilling the Great Commission or in unforeseen circumstances.
- The Authority of the Believer: This verse, along with others in the Longer Ending (Mk 16:17), indicates the transfer of divine authority from Christ to His followers, enabling them to operate in the supernatural realm against forces of darkness, sickness, and even natural dangers.
- Holistic Ministry: The inclusion of protection from physical dangers and healing of the sick underscores a holistic view of the Gospel, where God cares not only for the soul but also for the physical well-being and safety of His children and those they minister to.
Mark 16 18 Commentary
Mark 16:18, nestled within the broader commission, elucidates the supernatural backing provided to those who believe and participate in spreading the Gospel. These signs are not prerequisites for belief but rather confirmations accompanying belief, validating the divine authority behind the message and its messengers. The ability to handle snakes unharmed and to ingest deadly substances without ill effect speaks to an ultimate divine preservation against extreme dangers that could arise in the course of missionary work or due to malicious intent. It reflects a deeper truth that the power of God overrides natural laws to protect His servants for His purposes. The command and promise of laying hands on the sick for healing affirm that the redemptive work of Christ extends beyond spiritual salvation to encompass physical restoration. This holistic aspect of the Gospel demonstrates God's compassion and power tangibly, drawing people to the Kingdom. Historically, these signs were demonstrably present in the early church, as evidenced in Acts, serving to powerfully authenticate the nascent Christian movement. While the frequency and manifestation of these particular signs may vary across different times and contexts, the underlying principle remains: God empowers and protects His people to advance His Kingdom, often with miraculous attestation, to demonstrate His glory and truth.