Every word, recorded in Mark 16:9-20, is corroborated by the other Gospels and the book of Acts.
From, Mary Magdalene seeing the resurrected Jesus (vs. 9):
To, "And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following." (vs. 20).
Mark 16:9 Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week,
In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulcher.
And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not: for I know that you seek Jesus, which was crucified.
He is not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. Matthew 28:1,5-6
Mark 16:9 He appeared first to Mary Magdalene,
The first day of the week came Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, to the sepulcher, and saw the stone taken away from the sepulcher.
And… she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
Jesus said to her, Woman, why are you weeping? whom do you seek? She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, Sir, if you have borne Him hence, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away.
Jesus said to her, Mary. She turned herself, and said unto Him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. John 20:1,14-16
Mark 16:9 Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven devils.
And certain women, who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, Luke 8:2
Mark 16:10 And she went and told them that had been with Him, as they mourned and wept.
It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things to the apostles. Luke 24:10
Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her. John 20:18
Mark 16:11 And they, when they had heard that He was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.
And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not. Luke 24:11
Mark 16:12 After that He appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.
And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. Luke 24:13-15
Mark 16:13 And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.
And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, saying, the Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon.
And they told what things were done in the way, and how He was known of them in breaking of bread. Luke 24:33-35
Mark 16:14 Afterward He appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat,
He said unto them, Have you here any meat? And they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish, and of a honeycomb. And He took it, and did eat before them. Luke 24:41-43
Mark 16:14 And upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen Him after He was risen.
And He said unto them, Why are you troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?
Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself: handle Me, and see; for a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see Me have. And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, Luke 24:38-41
Mark 16:15 And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:19-20
Mark 16:16 He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believes not shall be damned.
He that believes on Him is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:18
Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out devils;
And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through Your name. Luke 10:17
Mark 16:17 They shall speak with new tongues;
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Then Peter said unto them, repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Acts 2:4, 38-39
While Peter yet spoke these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.
Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? Acts 10:44-47
For he that speaks in an unknown tongue speaks not unto men, but unto God:
For no man understands him; howbeit in the spirit he speaks mysteries.
He that speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself;
For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.
What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also:
I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. 1Corinthians 14:2, 4, 14-15
Mark 16:18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them;
And He said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
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. Luke 10:18-19
***
I do not understand why so many Christians fail to recognize that both Mark 16:18 and Luke 10:19 are figurative illustrations.
It is obvious that they are not meant to be taken literally.
If Jesus’ commands in both of these passages are to be taken literally; it would require all true Bible-believing Christians to follow the example of those “christians” we have seen on expose’ “news” programs.
The program starts with the interviewer questioning the sanity of these practices (people) while we watch footage of these “bible-believing christians” dancing around their “church” with rattlesnakes in their hands, drinking poison from Mason jars and praising Jesus.
At some point during the program the snake-handling “pastor” shows us his latest swollen snakebite while explaining how painful it is; and how many times he has been bitten; and how many times he has come close to dying from some of the snakebites he has sustained in his life as a “bible-believing christian” simply obeying what the bible commands all “christians” to do.
In addition to all of that; we would also have to take off our modern shoes, put rattlesnakes and scorpions on the floor and walk on them.
What possible Christian benefit would there be in actually handling poisonous snakes, drinking poison and walking on (crushing, maiming and killing) serpents and scorpions?
Why didn’t any of Jesus’ followers ever do any of these things anywhere in the New Testament?
Clearly, these passages are meant to be taken figuratively/spiritually (Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, you have no life in you.).
These verses figuratively illustrate a Christian’s spiritual authority over Satan given to us in Jesus the Messiah.
What follows is a “figurative” study of the Greek words in Mark 16:18 and an “expanded version”.
“They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them;” Mark 16:18
“They shall lift up to take away serpents [(as a type of sly cunning) an artful malicious person, especially Satan];
And if they imbibe [receive or admit into the mind and retain. Imbibing in the mind always implies retention, at least for a time]
Any thing at all fatal [Causing death or destruction, The act of destroying; a pulling down; subversion; ruin, by whatever means. Subvert; to turn. to corrupt; to confound; to pervert the mind, and turn it from the truth.],
It shall not at all hinder, injure, or hurt them;”
They shall take up
G142 airō
[G142: Also; Mat 9:6, 22:13, 24:17-18, Mrk 13:16, Lk 17:31, 19:24, Jn 2:16, 11:39, 20:15, 1Jn3:5]
A primary verb; to lift; by implication to take up or away; by Hebraism (compare [H5375]) to expiate sin: - away with, bear (up), carry, lift up, put away, remove, take (away, up).
Serpents
G3789 ophis
Probably from G3700 (through the idea of sharpness of vision); a snake, figuratively (as a type of sly cunning) an artful malicious person, especially Satan: - serpent.
Drink
G4095 pinō piō poō
The first is a prolonged form of the second, which (together with the third form) occurs only as an alternate in certain tenses; to imbibe (literally or figuratively): - drink.
[Imbibe 2. To receive or admit into the mind and retain; as, to imbibe principles; to imbibe errors.
Imbibing in the mind always implies retention, at least for a time.]
Deadly thing
G2286 thanasimos
From G2288; fatal, that is, poisonous: - deadly.
[Fatal 4. Destructive; calamitous; as a fatal day; a fatal event.
Destruction 1. The act of destroying; demolition; a pulling down; subversion; ruin, by whatever means.
Subvert 2. To corrupt; to confound; to pervert the mind, and turn it from the truth.]
We shall lift up serpents — that is; any sly, cunning, or artfully malicious person, especially Satan — to take them away: and if we receive or admit into our minds and retain, at least for a time, anything fatal or destructive; anything that would subvert, corrupt, confound, pervert our minds, and turn us from the truth: it shall not hinder, injure, or hurt us at all; Mark 16:18 (my expanded version).
***
Back to Mark 16
Mark 16:18 They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them, and healed them. Luke 4:40 [Jesus tells us to follow His example. John 14:12]
And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him. Acts 28:8
Mark 16:19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, He was received up into heaven,
And when He had spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, you men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as you have seen Him go into heaven. Acts 1:9-11
Mark 16:19 And sat on the right hand of God.
Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2
Mark 16:20 And they went forth, and preached everywhere,
Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word. Acts 8:4
Mark 16:20 The Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
Long time therefore they remained speaking boldly in the Lord, who gave testimony unto the word of His grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands. Acts 14:3
***
The confirmation of Mark 16:9-20 from other verses in the Bible proves beyond any shadow of a doubt that, even though "learned" men tell us to believe what they say:
Every word in Mark 16:9-20 belongs in God’s Word The Bible!
If you believe the men who tell us Mark 16:9-20 should not be in the Bible;
it then follows that any of the verses that say the same thing maybe should not be in the Bible either?!
This is the first step down the slippery slope.
So … why would Christians want God’s Words removed from their bibles?
From, Mary Magdalene seeing the resurrected Jesus (vs. 9):
To, "And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following." (vs. 20).
Mark 16:9 Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week,
In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulcher.
And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not: for I know that you seek Jesus, which was crucified.
He is not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. Matthew 28:1,5-6
Mark 16:9 He appeared first to Mary Magdalene,
The first day of the week came Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, to the sepulcher, and saw the stone taken away from the sepulcher.
And… she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
Jesus said to her, Woman, why are you weeping? whom do you seek? She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, Sir, if you have borne Him hence, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away.
Jesus said to her, Mary. She turned herself, and said unto Him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. John 20:1,14-16
Mark 16:9 Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven devils.
And certain women, who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, Luke 8:2
Mark 16:10 And she went and told them that had been with Him, as they mourned and wept.
It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things to the apostles. Luke 24:10
Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her. John 20:18
Mark 16:11 And they, when they had heard that He was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.
And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not. Luke 24:11
Mark 16:12 After that He appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.
And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. Luke 24:13-15
Mark 16:13 And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.
And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, saying, the Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon.
And they told what things were done in the way, and how He was known of them in breaking of bread. Luke 24:33-35
Mark 16:14 Afterward He appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat,
He said unto them, Have you here any meat? And they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish, and of a honeycomb. And He took it, and did eat before them. Luke 24:41-43
Mark 16:14 And upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen Him after He was risen.
And He said unto them, Why are you troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?
Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself: handle Me, and see; for a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see Me have. And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, Luke 24:38-41
Mark 16:15 And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:19-20
Mark 16:16 He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believes not shall be damned.
He that believes on Him is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:18
Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out devils;
And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through Your name. Luke 10:17
Mark 16:17 They shall speak with new tongues;
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Then Peter said unto them, repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Acts 2:4, 38-39
While Peter yet spoke these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.
Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? Acts 10:44-47
For he that speaks in an unknown tongue speaks not unto men, but unto God:
For no man understands him; howbeit in the spirit he speaks mysteries.
He that speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself;
For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.
What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also:
I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. 1Corinthians 14:2, 4, 14-15
Mark 16:18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them;
And He said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
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. Luke 10:18-19
***
I do not understand why so many Christians fail to recognize that both Mark 16:18 and Luke 10:19 are figurative illustrations.
It is obvious that they are not meant to be taken literally.
If Jesus’ commands in both of these passages are to be taken literally; it would require all true Bible-believing Christians to follow the example of those “christians” we have seen on expose’ “news” programs.
The program starts with the interviewer questioning the sanity of these practices (people) while we watch footage of these “bible-believing christians” dancing around their “church” with rattlesnakes in their hands, drinking poison from Mason jars and praising Jesus.
At some point during the program the snake-handling “pastor” shows us his latest swollen snakebite while explaining how painful it is; and how many times he has been bitten; and how many times he has come close to dying from some of the snakebites he has sustained in his life as a “bible-believing christian” simply obeying what the bible commands all “christians” to do.
In addition to all of that; we would also have to take off our modern shoes, put rattlesnakes and scorpions on the floor and walk on them.
What possible Christian benefit would there be in actually handling poisonous snakes, drinking poison and walking on (crushing, maiming and killing) serpents and scorpions?
Why didn’t any of Jesus’ followers ever do any of these things anywhere in the New Testament?
Clearly, these passages are meant to be taken figuratively/spiritually (Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, you have no life in you.).
These verses figuratively illustrate a Christian’s spiritual authority over Satan given to us in Jesus the Messiah.
What follows is a “figurative” study of the Greek words in Mark 16:18 and an “expanded version”.
“They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them;” Mark 16:18
“They shall lift up to take away serpents [(as a type of sly cunning) an artful malicious person, especially Satan];
And if they imbibe [receive or admit into the mind and retain. Imbibing in the mind always implies retention, at least for a time]
Any thing at all fatal [Causing death or destruction, The act of destroying; a pulling down; subversion; ruin, by whatever means. Subvert; to turn. to corrupt; to confound; to pervert the mind, and turn it from the truth.],
It shall not at all hinder, injure, or hurt them;”
They shall take up
G142 airō
[G142: Also; Mat 9:6, 22:13, 24:17-18, Mrk 13:16, Lk 17:31, 19:24, Jn 2:16, 11:39, 20:15, 1Jn3:5]
A primary verb; to lift; by implication to take up or away; by Hebraism (compare [H5375]) to expiate sin: - away with, bear (up), carry, lift up, put away, remove, take (away, up).
Serpents
G3789 ophis
Probably from G3700 (through the idea of sharpness of vision); a snake, figuratively (as a type of sly cunning) an artful malicious person, especially Satan: - serpent.
Drink
G4095 pinō piō poō
The first is a prolonged form of the second, which (together with the third form) occurs only as an alternate in certain tenses; to imbibe (literally or figuratively): - drink.
[Imbibe 2. To receive or admit into the mind and retain; as, to imbibe principles; to imbibe errors.
Imbibing in the mind always implies retention, at least for a time.]
Deadly thing
G2286 thanasimos
From G2288; fatal, that is, poisonous: - deadly.
[Fatal 4. Destructive; calamitous; as a fatal day; a fatal event.
Destruction 1. The act of destroying; demolition; a pulling down; subversion; ruin, by whatever means.
Subvert 2. To corrupt; to confound; to pervert the mind, and turn it from the truth.]
We shall lift up serpents — that is; any sly, cunning, or artfully malicious person, especially Satan — to take them away: and if we receive or admit into our minds and retain, at least for a time, anything fatal or destructive; anything that would subvert, corrupt, confound, pervert our minds, and turn us from the truth: it shall not hinder, injure, or hurt us at all; Mark 16:18 (my expanded version).
***
Back to Mark 16
Mark 16:18 They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them, and healed them. Luke 4:40 [Jesus tells us to follow His example. John 14:12]
And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him. Acts 28:8
Mark 16:19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, He was received up into heaven,
And when He had spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, you men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as you have seen Him go into heaven. Acts 1:9-11
Mark 16:19 And sat on the right hand of God.
Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2
Mark 16:20 And they went forth, and preached everywhere,
Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word. Acts 8:4
Mark 16:20 The Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
Long time therefore they remained speaking boldly in the Lord, who gave testimony unto the word of His grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands. Acts 14:3
***
The confirmation of Mark 16:9-20 from other verses in the Bible proves beyond any shadow of a doubt that, even though "learned" men tell us to believe what they say:
Every word in Mark 16:9-20 belongs in God’s Word The Bible!
If you believe the men who tell us Mark 16:9-20 should not be in the Bible;
it then follows that any of the verses that say the same thing maybe should not be in the Bible either?!
This is the first step down the slippery slope.
So … why would Christians want God’s Words removed from their bibles?
