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.”

Context:Before diving into the specific verse, it’s important to understand the context in which it was spoken. The Gospel of Mark records the events of Jesus’ ministry, death, and resurrection. In chapter 16, Jesus has risen from the dead and appears to His disciples, commissioning them to spread the gospel to all nations.

Signs following believers:In this verse, Jesus speaks about the signs that will accompany those who believe in Him. These signs are not exclusive to the disciples but apply to all believers who put their faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus is assuring His followers that certain supernatural manifestations will be present in their lives as they trust in Him.

Casting out devils:One of the signs Jesus mentions is the ability to cast out demons. This refers to the power and authority given to believers to confront and expel evil spirits in Jesus’ name. Throughout the Gospels, we see Jesus and His disciples casting out demons as a demonstration of the kingdom of God breaking into the world.

Speaking with new tongues:The second sign mentioned by Jesus is the ability to speak with new tongues. This refers to the gift of speaking in languages unknown to the speaker, which the Holy Spirit enables believers to do. This gift was prominently manifested on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2 when the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples, and they spoke in different languages, proclaiming the wonders of God to people from various nations.

Symbolic significance:Beyond the literal meaning, these signs have symbolic significance. Casting out devils represents the power of Christ over the forces of evil and the authority given to believers in His name. Speaking with new tongues signifies the universality of the gospel, reaching people from every nation, tribe, and tongue.

Application:As believers, we can draw important lessons from this verse. Firstly, 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.

• Secondly, 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.

Overall, 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.