Mark 16:17
And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues;
English Standard Version (ESV)
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These signs are promised to "those who believe," not just the apostles, emphasizing that faith is the key ingredient for experiencing God's power, not necessarily a specific level of spiritual maturity or an apostolic office. The promise isn't that believers will seek signs, but that these signs will "follow" them, meaning they naturally accompany genuine faith as a testament to Christ's ongoing work.
This verse comes right after Jesus gives his followers the Great Commission to go into all the world and preach the gospel to everyone. He warns them that those who don't believe will be condemned, but promises special signs will accompany those who do believe. This isn't the end of his message; he continues by listing even more miraculous signs that will prove the truth of the gospel they are sent to proclaim.
Jesus promises powerful signs to His followers, but what does 'following' truly mean?
The verse states, 'these signs will accompany those who believe.' The original Greek word implies more than just following behind; it suggests moving alongside, or proceeding with. This means these supernatural manifestations weren't meant to be rare, isolated events, but rather a natural, integral part of the lives of believers. They weren't rewards for belief, but natural outgrowths of genuine faith and Christ's authority working through His people. As commentators note, these signs were crucial for establishing the early church and demonstrating God's power in a world resistant to the gospel.
Demons tremble and new languages erupt – what gives believers this authority?
The passage specifies that these acts happen 'in my name.' This is a crucial distinction. It's not by the believer's own strength or merit, but by the authority and power vested in Jesus Christ Himself. When believers cast out demons or speak in new tongues, they are acting as His representatives, invoking His name and His power. This underscores that the Christian life is one of dependence on Christ; His name is the source of all spiritual authority and efficacy. As the commentaries suggest, this is distinct from Jesus' own inherent authority, but it is a delegated authority given to His followers.
What's the purpose behind supernatural languages in the early church?
The verse mentions speaking 'in new tongues.' This refers to the miraculous ability to speak in languages previously unknown to the speaker. The context, particularly the mention of Pentecost in related commentaries, reveals this gift served multiple purposes. Primarily, it was a sign to authenticate the gospel message and the apostles as God's messengers. It allowed the message of salvation to be communicated across linguistic barriers, fulfilling Jesus' command to go to all nations. While it could also be a means of worship and spiritual expression, its foundational role was evidential and evangelistic, demonstrating that God was actively at work in a new way through His Spirit.
Understand the original words
sēmeia · Greek Noun
Miraculous acts or proofs that serve as evidence of divine authority or the presence of the power of God.
onomati · Greek Noun
Representing the authority, character, and mission of a person; to act in someone's name is to act as their authorized representative.
daimonia · Greek Noun
Spiritual beings hostile to God and humanity; agents of evil that Christ demonstrated authority over.
c. AD 30— this verse
Jesus' Resurrection and Great Commission
Following his resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples, giving them the Great Commission to preach the gospel to all nations and promising the empowerment of the Holy Spirit and accompanying signs.
c. AD 33
Pentecost and the Gift of Tongues
The Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles in Jerusalem, enabling them to speak in various languages, fulfilling Jesus' promise and marking the birth of the early Church.
c. AD 40s-50s
Apostolic Ministry and Miracles
The apostles, including figures like Peter and Paul, actively preached the gospel throughout the Roman Empire, demonstrating their authority through miracles such as casting out demons and healing the sick.
c. AD 55
Paul Addresses Spiritual Gifts
The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Corinthian church, discusses the proper use and order of spiritual gifts, including speaking in tongues and prophecy, within the community.
This passage directly describes the fulfillment of speaking in new tongues on the day of Pentecost, showcasing a primary example of the signs that would accompany believers.
Acts 8:7This account demonstrates the sign of casting out demons, showing how Philip exercised this authority in Jesus' name to bring deliverance to people in Samaria.
1 Corinthians 12:10Paul lists 'tongues' and 'interpretation of tongues' as spiritual gifts within the church, highlighting that speaking in new tongues was a recognized manifestation of the Spirit's power.
Hebrews 2:4This verse speaks of God bearing witness to the apostles' message 'both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit,' underscoring the purpose of these signs.
barnesMark 16:17: "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;"
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. Th…
calvinMark 16:15-18: "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."
- But the eleven disciples went into Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had appointed them. 17. And when they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. 18. And Jesus approached, and spoke to them, saying, All power is given to me in heaven and on the earth. 19. Go out, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghos…
These signs are promised to "those who believe," not just the apostles, emphasizing that faith is the key ingredient for experiencing God's power, not necessarily a specific level of spiritual maturity or an apostolic office. The promise isn't that believers will seek signs, but that these signs will "follow" them, meaning they naturally accompany genuine faith as a testament to Christ's ongoing work.
This verse comes right after Jesus gives his followers the Great Commission to go into all the world and preach the gospel to everyone. He warns them that those who don't believe will be condemned, but promises special signs will accompany those who do believe. This isn't the end of his message; he continues by listing even more miraculous signs that will prove the truth of the gospel they are sent to proclaim.
This verse comes right after Jesus gives his followers the Great Commission to go into all the world and preach the gospel to everyone. He warns them that those who don't believe will be condemned, but promises special signs will accompany those who believe. This isn't the end of his message; he continues by listing even more miraculous signs that will prove the truth of the gospel they are sent to proclaim.
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"And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues;" — These signs are promised to "those who believe," not just the apostles, emphasizing that faith is the key ingredient for experiencing God's power, not necessarily a specific level of spiritual maturi…
