Mark 16:17-18
And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 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.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The signs are promised not just to believers in general, but to those who believe in Jesus' name with a faith that actively trusts His authority for supernatural intervention. This means the power to cast out demons and speak in new tongues isn't just a passive blessing, but an active demonstration of Christ's authority being wielded by those who fully rely on Him.
Jesus has just appeared to His disciples after His resurrection and commissioned them to preach the gospel to all nations. In this transition, He assures them that these miraculous signs will accompany their ministry as evidence of His authority. This promise serves as both encouragement for the disciples and a confirmation of the gospel message they are to spread throughout the world.
Jesus promises amazing things will happen when people believe. But who's in charge here – the signs or the belief?
Mark 16:17 states that these signs 'will accompany those who believe.' The Greek word used here, parakoloutheo, means to follow along with, to escort. It implies that the signs are not the primary force that brings people to faith, nor are they something believers chase after. Instead, they are a natural consequence, a kind of divine escort that walks alongside genuine belief. Think of it like a cheering crowd following a victorious runner – the crowd doesn't make the runner win, but their presence celebrates the victory. Similarly, these signs are evidence and encouragement, flowing from belief, not creating it out of thin air.
Demons, new languages... these aren't just random events. What's the secret power source behind these incredible occurrences?
The verse is clear: these signs happen 'in my name.' This isn't just a verbal invocation, like saying a magic word. When Jesus said 'in my name,' He was referring to His inherent authority, His power, and His identity. The apostles and early believers weren't acting on their own strength; they were conduits for Christ's power. They were authorized representatives, empowered by Him to carry out His will and extend His kingdom. This is what distinguished Jesus' miracles from others; He performed them in His own divine authority, while His followers acted in the authority given to them by Him. This means every act of casting out demons or speaking in new tongues was a direct demonstration of Jesus' ongoing reign and victory.
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.
This promise of signs is directly tied to the Great Commission given by the resurrected Jesus. The historical context shows these signs were meant to authenticate the apostles' message as they established the early church, a unique foundational period.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus' Resurrection and Appearances
Following his crucifixion and burial, Jesus is resurrected. He appears to his disciples over a period of 40 days, commissioning them to spread his message.
c. AD 33
The Day of Pentecost
The Holy Spirit descends upon the apostles in Jerusalem, empowering them to speak in other languages and perform miracles. This event marks the birth of the Christian church.
c. AD 33-35
Early Church Ministry in Jerusalem
The apostles, empowered by the Spirit, boldly preach and perform signs and wonders, leading to many conversions but also persecution.
c. AD 35-50
Spread of the Gospel to Gentiles
Through the ministry of figures like Philip and Paul, the Christian message begins to reach non-Jewish communities, often accompanied by miraculous signs.
This passage directly describes the fulfillment of the promise of speaking in new tongues on the Day of Pentecost, providing a key historical example of these signs in action.
Acts 3:6Peter, wielding authority 'in my name,' heals a lame man, demonstrating the power over demonic influence and illness promised in Mark 16:17.
1 Corinthians 12:10This passage lists 'tongues' as one of the spiritual gifts, confirming the ongoing presence and variety of these signs within the early church.
Romans 8:11This verse speaks of the 'Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead' dwelling in believers, providing the underlying divine power that enables such miraculous signs.
John 14:12Jesus promises that believers will do 'the works that I do—and even greater works than these,' directly supporting the idea that these signs are empowered by Him.
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…
The signs are promised not just to believers in general, but to those who believe in Jesus' name with a faith that actively trusts His authority for supernatural intervention. This means the power to cast out demons and speak in new tongues isn't just a passive blessing, but an active demonstration of Christ's authority being wielded by those who fully rely on Him.
Jesus has just appeared to His disciples after His resurrection and commissioned them to preach the gospel to all nations. In this transition, He assures them that these miraculous signs will accompany their ministry as evidence of His authority. This promise serves as both encouragement for the disciples and a confirmation of the gospel message they are to spread throughout the world.
Jesus has just appeared to His disciples after His resurrection and commissioned them to preach the gospel to all nations. In this transition, He assures them that these miraculous signs will accompany their ministry as evidence of His authority. This promise serves as both encouragement for the disciples and a confirmation of the gospel message they are to spread throughout the world.
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c. AD 50-65
Paul's Missionary Journeys and Letters
Paul travels extensively, establishing churches and writing epistles that address the practices and challenges of these early communities, including the use of spiritual gifts.
"And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay…" — The signs are promised not just to believers in general, but to those who believe in Jesus' name with a faith that actively trusts His authority for supernatural intervention. This means the powe…
