Mark 16:18 - Printer Friendly

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.”

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.'

NASB: they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not harm them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.'

CSB: they will pick up snakes; if they should drink anything deadly, it will not harm them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will get well."

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.'

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.

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.”

This verse is the least authentic in Mark 16. Where most of Mark 16:9–20 is accounted for elsewhere in the Bible, one facet of this verse is entirely unique.

Jesus promised the disciples that in the course of spreading the gospel, they would be able to "tread on serpents and scorpions" (Luke 10:19). Outside of a short illustration (Luke 11:12), scorpions are not mentioned again until Revelation which seems to speak of locust-like demons with the sting of scorpions (Revelation 9:1–11).

Similarly, the Bible doesn't recall the literal appearance of snakes except for Paul's run-in with a viper (Acts 28:1–6). While Paul was tending a fire, a viper, drawn by the heat, bit him on the hand. He shook the snake off into the flames and went about his business, surprising the locals who expected him to die.

Disciples did heal in the course of their evangelism. First, Peter and John healed a lame beggar (Acts 3:1–10). Soon after, the Holy Spirit becomes so present that apparently even people who crossed Peter's shadow were healed (Acts 5:12–16). Later, the Holy Spirit validated Paul's ministry by healing those who touched an apron or handkerchief that Paul had touched (Acts 19:11–12).

Nowhere, however, does the Bible record the disciples drinking poison and living. The corroborating account is from the apocryphal text "The Acts of John." The book says that the apostle John was challenged to drink poison; he did and lived. We have no way of knowing if this account is true, but that apocryphal work's many other flaws make everything in it subject to serious doubt.

What we can say is that this verse does not tell believers to handle snakes or drink poison. If the disciples survived serpents and poison, it was because the Holy Spirit was validating their message through miracles. But as Jesus told Satan, "You shall not put the Lord your God to the test" (Matthew 4:7).

Mark 16:14–20 is not part of the oldest, most trusted manuscripts of the Bible. Most of what this passage contains is covered in Matthew 28:16–20, Luke 24:36–43, and John 20:19–29. However, there are points on which these verses are unsubstantiated. The disciples finally realize Jesus will not overthrow the Romans, and they will not rule from twelve thrones, at least not yet (Matthew 19:28). First, they have work: spreading the message that Jesus has died for the sins of the world and is risen. In this mission, they will be able to perform miracles and endure dangers that would normally kill them.

After the mandatory time of rest, several of Jesus' female followers approach His tomb intending to anoint the body. Their primary concern is who will open the tomb for them so they can honor Jesus' remains. They arrive to find the tomb open, empty, and watched over by angels. After hearing from these beings (Luke 24:4–7), the women leave in fear, speaking only to the disciples. This ends the original, God-inspired text of the Gospel of Mark. Verses 9–20 are mostly corroborated by other Scripture, but were not part of the initial writing.

Leading up to chapter 16, Jesus has been unfairly tried and executed by crucifixion. Starting in this passage, Jesus' women followers find an empty tomb, but don't know what it means. Jesus' work for our salvation is done, but explaining that to His disciples will take another forty days (Acts 1:3). And telling the world is a work that will continue until His return. The resurrection and events after are also covered in Matthew 28, Luke 24, John 20—21, and Acts 1:1–11. The most reliable copies of the Gospel of Mark leave the disciples where they have spent much of the story: confused and afraid. Jesus is risen, but they haven't yet accepted that. Everything after verse 9 is most likely a later scribal addition.

The Gospel of Mark emphasizes both Jesus' servanthood and His role as the promised Messiah: the Son of God. This is done through a concise, action-packed style. Mark provides relatively few details, instead focusing on actions and simple statements. This relates to the Gospel's authorship, which is believed to be based on the memories of the apostle Peter. These include many of Jesus' miracles, in contrast to other Gospels which include many more of Jesus' teachings and parables. Mark also makes frequent mention of Jesus' ministry being misunderstood by others.