New International Versionthey 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.”
New Living TranslationThey 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.”
English Standard Versionthey 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.”
Berean Standard Biblethey will pick up snakes with their hands, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not harm them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will be made well.”
Berean Literal Bibleand with their hands they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it shall never hurt them; they will lay hands upon the sick, and they will be well."
King James BibleThey 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.
New King James Versionthey 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.”
New American Standard Biblethey 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.”
NASB 1995they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
NASB 1977they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it shall not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
Legacy Standard Bibleand they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
Amplified Biblethey will pick up serpents, and if they drink anything deadly, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will get well.”
Christian Standard Biblethey 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.”
Holman Christian Standard Biblethey will pick up snakes; if they should drink anything deadly, it will never harm them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will get well.”
American Standard Versionthey 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.
Contemporary English VersionThey will handle snakes and will drink poison and not be hurt. They will also heal sick people by placing their hands on them.
English Revised Versionthey 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.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationThey will pick up snakes, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them. They will place their hands on the sick and cure them."
Good News Translationif they pick up snakes or drink any poison, they will not be harmed; they will place their hands on sick people, and these will get well."
International Standard Versionand they will pick up snakes with their hands. Even if they drink any deadly poison it will not hurt them; and the'll place their hands on the sick, and they'll recover."
NET Biblethey will pick up snakes with their hands, and whatever poison they drink will not harm them; they will place their hands on the sick and they will be well."
New Heart English Biblethey will pick up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them; they will place their hands on the sick, and they will be made well."
Webster's Bible TranslationThey 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.
Weymouth New TestamentThey shall take up venomous snakes, and if they drink any deadly poison it shall do them no harm whatever. They shall lay their hands on the sick, and the sick shall recover." Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Biblethey will pick up snakes, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not harm them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will be made well.”
World English Biblethey will take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it will in no way hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionthey will take up serpents; and if they may drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the ailing, and they will be well.”
Berean Literal Bibleand with their hands they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it shall never hurt them; they will lay hands upon the sick, and they will be well."
Young's Literal Translation serpents they shall take up; and if any deadly thing they may drink, it shall not hurt them; on the ailing they shall lay hands, and they shall be well.'
Smith's Literal TranslationThey shall take up serpents; and should they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall put hands upon the sick, and they shall be well. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThey shall take up serpents; and if they shall drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them: they shall lay their hands upon the sick, and they shall recover.
Catholic Public Domain VersionThey will take up serpents, and, if they drink anything deadly, it will not harm them. They shall lay their hands upon the sick, and they will be well.”
New American BibleThey will pick up serpents [with their hands], and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
New Revised Standard Versionthey will pick up snakes in their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd they will pick up snakes; and if they should drink any poison of death, it will not harm them; and they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.
Aramaic Bible in Plain English“And they will take up snakes, and if they should drink lethal poison, it will not harm them, and they will place their hands on the sick and they will be healed.” NT Translations Anderson New Testamentthey 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.
Godbey New Testament
Haweis New Testament
they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly potion, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover health.
Mace New Testament
they shall handle serpents, and if they drink any mortal poison, it shall do them no hurt: they shall lay hands on the sick, and the sick shall recover.
Weymouth New Testament
They shall take up venomous snakes, and if they drink any deadly poison it shall do them no harm whatever. They shall lay their hands on the sick, and the sick shall recover."
Worrell New Testament
they will take up serpents; and, if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."
Worsley New Testament
they shall take up serpents, and if they should drink anything poisonous, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall be well.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Great Commission… 17And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18they will pick upsnakeswiththeirhands,and ifthey drinkanydeadly poison,it will not harmthem;they will laytheir handsonthe sick,andthey will be madewell.”19After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.…
Cross References Luke 10:19Behold, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you.
Acts 28:3-6Paul gathered a bundle of sticks, and as he laid them on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself to his hand. / When the islanders saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “Surely this man is a murderer. Although he was saved from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” / But Paul shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. ...
Matthew 10:8Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.
John 14:12Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I am doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
Acts 5:15-16As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. / Crowds also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those tormented by unclean spirits, and all of them were healed.
Acts 8:7With loud shrieks, unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed, and many of the paralyzed and lame were healed.
Acts 19:11-12God did extraordinary miracles through the hands of Paul, / so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and the diseases and evil spirits left them.
James 5:14-15Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. / And the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick. The Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.
Isaiah 11:8The infant will play by the cobra’s den, and the toddler will reach into the viper’s nest.
Psalm 91:13You will tread on the lion and cobra; you will trample the young lion and serpent.
Exodus 4:2-4And the LORD asked him, “What is that in your hand?” “A staff,” he replied. / “Throw it on the ground,” said the LORD. So Moses threw it on the ground, and it became a snake, and he ran from it. / “Stretch out your hand and grab it by the tail,” the LORD said to Moses, who reached out his hand and caught the snake, and it turned back into a staff in his hand.
Exodus 7:9-12“When Pharaoh tells you, ‘Perform a miracle,’ you are to say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh,’ and it will become a serpent.” / So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the LORD had commanded. Aaron threw his staff down before Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a serpent. / But Pharaoh called the wise men and sorcerers and magicians of Egypt, and they also did the same things by their magic arts. ...
2 Kings 4:29-31So Elisha said to Gehazi, “Tie up your garment, take my staff in your hand, and go! If you meet anyone, do not greet him, and if anyone greets you, do not answer him. Then lay my staff on the boy’s face.” / And the mother of the boy said, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So he got up and followed her. / Gehazi went on ahead of them and laid the staff on the boy’s face, but there was no sound or response. So he went back to meet Elisha and told him, “The boy has not awakened.”
2 Kings 5:14So Naaman went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored and became like that of a little child, and he was clean.
2 Kings 13:21Once, as the Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a band of raiders, so they threw the man’s body into Elisha’s tomb. And as soon as his body touched the bones of Elisha, the man was revived and stood up on his feet.
Treasury of Scripture 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. shall take. Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Psalm 91:13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Luke 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. if. 2 Kings 4:39-41 And one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered thereof wild gourds his lap full, and came and shredthem into the pot of pottage: for they knewthem not… they shall lay. Acts 3:6-8,12,16 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk… Acts 4:10,22,30 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead,even by him doth this man stand here before you whole… Acts 5:15,16 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laidthem on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them… Jump to Previous AilingDeadlyDrinkEvilHandsHarmHurtIllInfirmInjureLayPickPoisonRecoverSerpentsSickSnakesVenomousWayWhateverWiseJump to Next AilingDeadlyDrinkEvilHandsHarmHurtIllInfirmInjureLayPickPoisonRecoverSerpentsSickSnakesVenomousWayWhateverWiseMark 16 1.An Angel declares the resurrection of Jesus to three women.9.Jesus himself appears to Mary Magdalene;12.to two going into the country;14.then to the apostles;15.whom he sends forth to preach the gospel;19.and ascends into heaven.they will pick up snakes with their handsThis phrase is often associated with the signs that accompany believers, as mentioned in the context of the Great Commission. The act of handling snakes without harm is reminiscent of the Apostle Paul's experience in Acts 28:3-5, where he was bitten by a viper but suffered no ill effects. In the ancient Near East, snakes were often symbols of danger and evil, as seen in Genesis 3 with the serpent in the Garden of Eden. The ability to handle snakes without harm signifies divine protection and authority over evil. This phrase should not be taken as a directive for testing faith but rather as an assurance of God's protection in the fulfillment of His mission. and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not harm them
This statement emphasizes divine protection over believers. In the historical context, poisoning was a known method of assassination, and the assurance here is that God will protect His followers from such dangers. This promise is not a call to test God by deliberately ingesting poison but rather an assurance of His safeguarding presence. Theologically, it reflects the broader biblical theme of God's protection over His people, as seen inPsalm 91:13, where the faithful are promised safety from harm. they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will be made well.
The laying on of hands is a biblical practice associated with healing and the impartation of blessings or authority. In the New Testament, Jesus often healed the sick through touch, as seen in passages likeMark 1:41 andLuke 4:40. The early church continued this practice, as seen inActs 9:17-18 with Ananias and Paul, and inJames 5:14-15, where the elders are instructed to pray over the sick. This phrase underscores the continuation of Jesus' healing ministry through His followers, empowered by the Holy Spirit. It highlights the compassionate nature of God and His desire for the wholeness of His creation. Persons / Places / Events 1. Jesus ChristThe speaker of this promise, Jesus is addressing His disciples after His resurrection, commissioning them for the work ahead. 2. DisciplesThe immediate audience of Jesus' words, representing all believers who would follow in their footsteps. 3. Snakes and PoisonSymbolic elements representing danger and harm, which believers are promised protection from. 4. The SickIndividuals who are afflicted with illness, whom believers are empowered to heal through faith. 5. The Great CommissionThe broader context of Jesus' instructions to His disciples to spread the Gospel and perform signs in His name. Teaching Points Divine ProtectionBelievers are assured of God's protection in their mission, symbolized by the handling of snakes and drinking poison without harm. Faith and MiraclesThe passage encourages believers to have faith in God's power to perform miracles, such as healing the sick. Symbolism of Snakes and PoisonThese elements represent spiritual and physical dangers that believers may encounter, but they are not to be feared. Role of BelieversChristians are called to be active participants in God's work, using the gifts and authority given to them to impact the world positively. Trust in God's PromisesThis verse is a reminder to trust in the promises of God, knowing that He equips and protects those who serve Him. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Mark 16
Can you trample on snakes and scorpions safely?
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Are miraculous spiritual gifts still present today?
What does the Bible say about laying on hands?(18) They shall take up serpents.--The instance of St. Paul at Melita is the only recorded example of the kind ( Acts 28:1-6). Power over "serpents and scorpions" had, it will be remembered, been given before ( Luke 10:19). If they drink any deadly thing . . .--Of this there is no recorded instance in the New Testament, but it finds an illustration in the tradition of the poisoned cup which was offered to St. John.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek they will pick upἀροῦσιν(arousin)Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 142:To raise, lift up, take away, remove.snakesὄφεις(opheis)Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3789:Probably from optanomai; a snake, figuratively, an artful malicious person, especially Satan.withἐν(en)Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.theirταῖς(tais)Article - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.hands,χερσὶν(chersin)Noun - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 5495:A hand.and ifκἂν(kan)Conjunction
Strong's 2579:And if, even if, even, at least. From kai and ean; and if.they drinkπίωσιν(piōsin)Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4095:To drink, imbibe. A prolonged form of pio, which poo occurs only as an alternate in certain tenses; to imbibe.anyτι(ti)Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5100:Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.deadly poison,θανάσιμόν(thanasimon)Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2286:Deadly, mortal, fatal. From thanatos; fatal, i.e. Poisonous.it will not harmβλάψῃ(blapsē)Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 984:To hurt, injure. A primary verb; properly, to hinder, i.e. to injure.them;αὐτοὺς(autous)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.they will layἐπιθήσουσιν(epithēsousin)Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2007:To put, place upon, lay on; I add, give in addition. From epi and tithemi; to impose.[their] handsχεῖρας(cheiras)Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 5495:A hand.onἐπὶ(epi)Preposition
Strong's 1909:On, to, against, on the basis of, at.[the] sick,ἀρρώστους(arrōstous)Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 732:Infirm, sick, ill, feeble, sickly. Infirm.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.they will be madeἕξουσιν(hexousin)Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2192:To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.well.”καλῶς(kalōs)Adverb
Strong's 2573:Well, nobly, honorably, rightly. Adverb from kalos; well.
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NT Gospels: Mark 16:18 They will take up serpents (Mar Mk Mr) |
