What is the meaning of Mark 16:17? And these signs will accompany those who believe: Jesus states, “And these signs will accompany those who believe” (Mark 16:17). He is giving an ongoing promise, not a mere historical footnote. • The phrase “those who believe” places the focus on every genuine believer, echoing John 14:12 where Jesus says that whoever believes in Him “will also do the works that I am doing.” • The word “signs” reminds us that supernatural acts validate the gospel message, just as Hebrews 2:3-4 describes God confirming His word “by signs, wonders, and various miracles.” • Acts 5:12 records that “many signs and wonders were done among the people by the hands of the apostles,” yet Acts 6:8 and Acts 8:6 show God using other believers (Stephen, Philip) in the same way—underscoring the breadth of the promise. • Mark 16:20 later affirms, “They went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them, confirming the word by the signs that accompanied it.” Christ continues to do this whenever and wherever the gospel is faithfully proclaimed. In My name they will drive out demons; Authority is the key idea. Believers confront evil “in My name,” meaning under Christ’s delegated authority. • When the seventy-two returned, they rejoiced, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in Your name” (Luke 10:17). Their experience foreshadows this promise for all believers. • The early church exercised this authority: Paul commanded a spirit to leave a slave girl “in the name of Jesus Christ” (Acts 16:18), and evil spirits came out. • Acts 8:7 notes, “With loud shrieks, unclean spirits came out of many,” showing demon-expulsion accompanying gospel advance beyond the Twelve. • Deliverance today still rests on Christ’s finished victory (Colossians 2:15), requiring faith, holiness, and reliance on prayer (Mark 9:29). The promise stands literal and active until Jesus returns. they will speak in new tongues; “New tongues” are Spirit-given languages unknown to the speaker. • At Pentecost “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues” (Acts 2:4); the crowd heard “our own languages” (Acts 2:11). This inaugural sign announced the gospel for every nation. • Cornelius’s household spoke in tongues when the Spirit fell (Acts 10:46), confirming God’s acceptance of Gentiles. • Believers at Ephesus did the same (Acts 19:6); Paul lists tongues among the gifts in 1 Corinthians 12:10 and provides guidelines in chapters 12-14. • The expression “new” highlights freshness and divine origin, paralleling Isaiah 28:11’s prophecy of God speaking “with stammering lips and another tongue.” • While not every believer receives this particular gift (1 Corinthians 12:30), the promise remains available, testifying to the living presence of the Holy Spirit and aiding prayer and praise (1 Corinthians 14:2, 14-17). summary Mark 16:17 gives a clear, literal promise from Jesus that supernatural signs accompany genuine believers: confirmation of the gospel through divine power, authority over demonic forces in His name, and Spirit-empowered speech in new tongues. These signs began in the first century, continued throughout church history, and remain available today wherever the risen Christ is preached and believed. |
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