Mark 16:17-18 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 16:15-18

Final utterances. I. CHRISTIANITY IS A GOOD MESSAGE FOR ALL MANKIND . II. ALL WHO HAVE AFFIANCE IN CHRIST ARE MEN CONSECRATED AND SAVED . III. IF FAITH BE POSSESSED , ALL NECESSARY CONFIRMATIONS OF FAITH WILL BE GRANTED . IV. IN THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST , THE OUTWARD IS ONLY OF VALUE AS SIGNIFICANT OF THE INWARD AND SPIRITUAL .—J. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 16:17-18

And these signs shall follow them that believe . Such evidences were necessary in the first dawn of Christianity, to attract attention to the doctrine; but our Lord's words do not mean that they were to be in perpetuity, as a continually recurring evidence of the truth of Christianity. St. Gregory (on 1 Corinthians 14:22 ) says, "These signs were necessary in the beginning of Christianity. In order that faith might take root and increase, it must be nourished by miracle; for so even we,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Mark 16:17

And these signs - These miracles. These evidences that they are sent from God.Them that believe - The apostles, and those in the primitive age who were endowed with like power. This promise was fulfilled if it can be shown that these signs followed in the case of any who believed, and it is not necessary to suppose that they would follow in the case of all. The meaning is, that they would be the result of faith, or of the belief of the gospel. It is true that they were. These signs were shown... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Mark 16:18

They shall take up serpents - When it is necessary for the sake of establishing religion, they shall handle poisonous reptiles without injury, thus showing that God was with them to keep them from harm. This was literally fulfilled when Paul shook the viper from his hand. See Acts 28:5-6.Any deadly thing - Any poison usually causing death.Shall not hurt them - There is a similar promise in Isaiah 43:2.They shall lay hands on the sick ... - See instances of this in the Acts of the Apostles, Acts... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Mark 16:17-20

Mark 16:17-20. And these signs shall follow them that believe Bengelius subjoins, “That believe with that very faith mentioned in the preceding verse.” (Though it is certain a man may work miracles and not have saving faith, Matthew 7:22-23.) “It was not one faith by which Paul was saved; another, by which he wrought miracles. Even at this day, in every believer, faith has a latent miraculous power: (every effect of prayer being really miraculous:) although in many, because of their... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Mark 16:15-18

166. On a mountain in Galilee (Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:15-18)The apostles had an indication why Jesus had told them to go to Galilee when he took them up one of the mountains. From there they could look out to the next stage of the kingdom’s mission, the Gentile nations beyond. The three and a half years public ministry of Jesus had been limited to Israel (cf. Matthew 10:5-6; Matthew 15:24; Romans 15:8), but the ministry that the risen Jesus now passed on to his disciples extended to all... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Mark 16:17

these signs shall follow = these signs shall attend, or follow close upon. See App-167 and Hebrews 2:3 , Hebrews 2:4 , and the fulfilment in Acts 3:7 , Acts 3:8 ; Acts 5:16 ; Acts 6:8 ; Acts 9:34 , Acts 9:40 , &c. They were limited to the dispensation covered by the Acts of the Apostles. See Hebrews 2:3 , Hebrews 2:4 ; Hebrews 6:1-6 ; and compare 1 Corinthians 13:8-10 . them that believe . Not merely the Apostles, therefore. See App-168 . In = Through. Greek. en . App-104 . In My name.... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Mark 16:18

They shall take up serpents. See Acts 28:5 . Compare Luke 10:19 . if they drink, &c. The condition to be seen by the result. App-118 . drink , &c. Eusebius (iii. 39) records this of John and of Barsabas, surnamed Justus. not = by no means. Greek. ou me. App-105 . lay hands on (Greek. epi. App-104 .) the sick . See Acts 3:7 ; Acts 19:11 Acts 19:12 ; Acts 2:8 , Acts 2:9 , Acts 2:10 . c. 1 Corinthians 12:9 , 1 Corinthians 12:28 . James 5:14 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Mark 16:17

And these signs shall accompany them that believe: in my name shall they cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall in no wise hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.SIGNS WHICH WERE PROMISED TO THE BELIEVING APOSTLESIn this passage lies the probable explanation of why the unknown scribe of the Vatican manuscript omitted to write these words, yet left a space for them. Having read it,... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Mark 16:17

Mark 16:17. These signs shall follow, &c.— It is very evident, that the word believe, in this place, must signify something different from that faith which in the preceding verse is required as indispensably necessary to salvation, namely, that faith of miracles whereof we spoke on Matthew 17:20. Besides his promise of his perpetual presence and succours, Mat 28:20 our Lord here assures his disciples, that through the faith of him they should work most astonishing miracles, which he here... read more