A New Tongue

[Mr. M]

Mark 16:17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will
cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues.

These signs-for more than one sign is mentioned, as preceded by ‘these’.
Cast out demons-for there many demons, and many unclean spirits.
Speak with new tongues-why? Why are many new tongues necessary?

The assumption is that since people throughout the region heard what was being
said on the day of Pentecost, that many languages were being spoken.
If that were the case, the tongues would not be new, they would have been
speaking many old tongues.

What could this mean?
Acts 2:
5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every
nation under heaven.
6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were
confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language.
7 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another,
Look, are not all those who speak Galileans?
8 And how do we hear each in our own language in which we were born?
12 So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another,
Whatever could this mean?

The commandment was this:
Mark 16:15 And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach the
gospel to every creature.

They would not have taken the time to learn the language of every land they visited.
They could have spoken the local language miraculously by the Holy Spirit, but that
would be using an old tongue. Or, they spoke a new tongue, which all who heard
would understand.
For that is what the narrative from Acts 2 states: they heard what was
spoken in their own language. Or is that a little bit too miraculous?
When does new not mean new? If you are a Greek scholar, does the grammar
of the verse demand translating new tongues-(pl)?
Or did they speak with a new tongue, that all who heard could understand?

 

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[swordsman1]

Mounce Greek Lexicon
καινός
Gloss:
new, latest, anew; in some contexts new is superior to old (Mt 9:17; Heb 8)
Definition:
new, recently made, Mt. 9:17; Mk. 2:22; new in species, character, or mode, Mt. 26:28, 29; Mk. 14:24, 25; Lk. 22:20; Jn. 13:34; 2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 6:15; Eph. 2:15; 4:24; 1 Jn. 2:7; Rev. 3:12; novel, strange, Mk. 1:27; Acts 17:19; new to the possessor, Mk. 16:17; unheard of, unusual, Mk. 1:27; Acts 17:19; met. renovated, better, of higher excellence, 2 Cor. 5:17; Rev. 5:9

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
γλώσσαις λαλεῖν καιναῖς to speak with new tongues which the speaker has not learned previously, Mark 16:17

 

[Mr. M]

Mounce Greek Lexicon
καινός
Gloss:
new, latest, anew; in some contexts new is superior to old (Mt 9:17; Heb 8)

This is interesting. thanks for posting. My first reaction to this statement, based on what
I have read in the scriptures is to ask, is the "new superior to the old", as stated, or does
the new replace the old. This is an important distinction in defining the word, since Peter says:

2 Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new
earth in which righteousness dwells.

new to the possessor, Mk. 16:17;

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
γλώσσαις λαλεῖν καιναῖς to speak with new tongues which the speaker has not learned previously, Mark 16:17

I have to wonder again if this is an accurate way of understanding the word, or a definition based on
presupposing what is being said. I read that the word has no certain affinity, and after looking at
every scripture where the word is used, what is primarily indicated is an original work of God.
One thing for sure, something very unusual was taking place!
What did you think of the narrative from Acts?
The emphasis seems to be on what they heard, not the language being spoken. If I found
myself in a strange place where no one understood my language, if I started preaching the gospel,
would I speak their language, or would they just understand? LOL

Isaiah 43:19 Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth;
Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness
And rivers in the desert.

Excellent response. I appreciate you.
James