Mark 16:17

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

Mark 16:17 (KJV)

Context

In Mark 16, Jesus has risen from the dead and appears to His disciples, rebuking them for their unbelief and hardness of heart because they did not believe reports of His resurrection. He then commissions them to spread the gospel to all nations. This verse describes signs that will accompany those who believe in Him, not as random wonders but as confirmations tied to faith in Jesus Christ.

Meaning

The Greek word translated “signs” (sēmeia) points to miraculous works that “follow” or accompany believers. Jesus speaks of these signs as applying to all believers, not only the original disciples. The phrase “in my name” indicates the basis and authority for these actions: believers act in Jesus’ power, not their own. The first sign is casting out devils, which refers to the authority given to believers to confront and expel evil spirits in Jesus’ name. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus and His disciples cast out demons as a demonstration of the kingdom of God breaking into the world. The second sign is speaking with new tongues, which refers to the Holy Spirit enabling believers to speak in languages they had not previously learned. This gift was prominently manifested on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2, when the disciples spoke in different languages, proclaiming the wonders of God to people from various nations.

Biblical connections

These signs are not exclusive to the disciples but are promised to all who believe. The casting out of demons is exemplified by the Apostle Paul, who commanded a spirit of divination to come out of a damsel in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 16:18). This power continued for a considerable time among the saints. The signs are part of a longer passage that also mentions picking up snakes, drinking poison without harm, and laying hands on the sick for recovery, all serving as confirmations of the gospel message.

Application

As believers, we can draw important lessons from this verse. It reminds us that the power of Christ is available to us to confront the spiritual forces of darkness. Through prayer, reliance on God’s Word, and the authority of Jesus’ name, we can resist and overcome evil influences in our lives and in the world around us. The mention of speaking with new tongues encourages us to embrace the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. While the gift of tongues is not given to every believer, we can all experience the filling and empowerment of the Holy Spirit, enabling us to effectively communicate the gospel to diverse cultures and languages. The primary purpose of these signs is to accompany believers as they proclaim the gospel to every creature, providing encouragement both for those who preach and for those who hear, believe, and obey.

Reflection

Mark 16:17 encourages believers to step out in faith, trusting in Jesus’ power and relying on the Holy Spirit to manifest signs and wonders that testify to the reality of Christ’s kingdom. These signs are not ends in themselves but serve the greater purpose of confirming the gospel and glorifying Christ.