Keraia
Mark 16

Mark 16:18

The Great Commission · Mark 16:14–18
Read Mark 16

Translations

Modern
…they 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.”
Traditional
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.
Literal
…and 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.”
Latin
…serpentes tollent: et si mortiferum quid biberint, non eis nocebit: super ægros manus imponent, et bene habebunt.

Interlinear

Greek
English
…they 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.”

Notes

Mark 16:9–20

Nearly all scholars agree that Mark did not write the shorter ending and the longer ending of his Gospel. These endings use different styles, vocabulary, and theology (teaching about God). Also, the two best early Greek manuscripts (Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Vaticanus) do not include these endings.

However, many scholars also doubt that Mark meant to end his Gospel at 16:8. Several reasons support this view:

  1. Mark emphasizes that the predictions of Jesus are fulfilled. If the Gospel ends at 16:8, there is no account of Jesus appearing after his resurrection.

  2. All the other Gospels include stories of Jesus appearing to the women and the disciples.

  3. Some early manuscripts include added endings. This suggests that some early copyists (people who copied texts by hand) thought the Gospel needed a clearer ending.

  4. There is no clear reason why Mark would choose to end at 16:8. Many suggested reasons come from modern ways of reading, not from how a first-century Christian writer would likely think.

  5. The Gospel begins with a strong statement that Jesus is the Messiah (1:1), but ending at 16:8 would leave the story with fear instead of resolution.

  6. The Greek word gar (“because”) appears at the end of 16:8. It is very unusual for an ancient Greek book to end with this word.

  7. Mark 16:7 suggests the disciples will meet Jesus in Galilee. If 16:8 was the original ending, it would be the only prediction in the Gospel that did not come true.

Because of these reasons, many scholars think the original ending was lost (for example, the last page may have been damaged or removed) or that Mark did not finish writing it.

Events

Parallels

Matthew 28:16–20

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Gospel Hand Versions of the Bible (English)

Topics

Casting out Demons Charism: An Inspired Gift, Bestowed on the Apostles and Early Christians Disease: Miraculous Healing of, a Sign to Accompany the Preaching of the Word Exorcism God: Preserver: Paul Hand in Healing Healing the Sick Jesus, the Christ: Appears in the Midst of the Disciples, when Thomas Was Absent (In Jerusalem) Jesus, the Christ: Revelations by: Concerning his Kingdom Miracles: Power to Work, Given the Disciples Power of Christ: Enabling Others to Work Miracles Serpent: The Apostles Given Power Over Serpents: Miracles Connected With: Power Over, Given to the Disciples Sickness: The Apostles Were Endued with Power to Heal The Power of Christ: Exhibited in Enabling Others to Work Miracles