Mark 16:17
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
American King James Version (AKJV)
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
American Standard Version (ASV)
And these signs shall accompany them that believe: in my name shall they cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues;
Basic English Translation (BBE)
And these signs will be with those who have faith: in my name they will send out evil spirits; and they will make use of new languages;
Webster's Revision
And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name shall they cast out demons; they shall speak in new languages;
World English Bible
These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new languages;
English Revised Version (ERV)
And these signs shall follow them that believe: in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
Definitions for Mark 16:17
Clarke's Mark 16:17 Bible Commentary
These signs shall follow - Or rather, accompany; this is the proper import of the original word παρακολουθησει, from παρα with, and ακολουθεω, Ifollow.
Them that believe - The believers, as we express it; i.e. the apostles, and all those who in those primitive times were endued with miraculous powers, for the confirmation of the doctrines they preached.
In my name - That is, by the authority and influence of the almighty Jesus.
Cast out devils - Whose kingdom Jesus Christ was manifested to destroy.
Speak with new tongues - This was most literally fulfilled on the day of pentecost, Acts 2:4-19.
Barnes's Mark 16:17 Bible Commentary
And these signs - These miracles. These evidences that they are sent from God.
Them that believe - The apostles, and those in the primitive age who were endowed with like power. This promise was fulfilled if it can be shown that these signs followed in the case of any who believed, and it is not necessary to suppose that they would follow in the case of all. The meaning is, that they would be the result of faith, or of the belief of the gospel. It is true that they were. These signs were shown in the case of the apostles and early Christians. The infidel cannot say that the promise has not been fulfilled unless he can show that this never occurred; the Christian should be satisfied that the promise was fulfilled if these miracles were ever actually wrought, though they do not occur now; and the believer now should not expect a miracle in his case. Miracles were necessary for the establishment of religion in the world; they are not necessary for its continuance now.
In my name - By my authority, and using the power that I would in such cases, if bodily present. This was done; and in this they differed essentially from the manner in which Jesus himself wrought miracles. He did it in "his own name," and as possessing original, underived authority. See the account of his stilling the sea (Matthew 8:26, etc.); of his healing the sick Matthew 9:5-6; of his raising Lazarus, John 11. The prophets spoke "in the name of the Lord." The apostles did likewise, Acts 3:6, etc. There was, therefore, an important difference between Jesus and all the other messengers that God has sent into the world. He acted in his own name; they in the name of another. He wielded his own power; they were the instruments by which God put forth the omnipotence of his arm to save. He was therefore God; they were men of like passions as other men, Acts 14:15.
Shall they cast out devils - See the notes at Matthew 4:24. Compare Acts 16:16-18.
Shall speak with new tongues - Shall speak other languages than their native language. This was remarkably fulfilled on the day of Pentecost, Acts 2:4-11. It existed, also, in other places. See 1 Corinthians 12:10.
Wesley's Mark 16:17 Bible Commentary
16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe - An eminent author sub - joins, "That believe with that very faith mentioned in the preceding verse." (Though it is certain that a man may work miracles, and not have saving faith, 7:22 ,23.) "It was not one faith by which St. Paul was saved, another bywhich he wrought miracles. Even at this day in every believer faith has a latent miraculous power; (every effect of prayer being really miraculous;) although in many, both because of their own littleness of faith, and because the world is unworthy, that power is not exerted. Miracles, in the beginning, were helps to faith; now also they are the object of it.At Leonberg, in the memory of our fathers, a cripple that could hardly move with crutches, while the dean was preaching on this very text, was in a moment made whole." Shall follow - The word and faith must go before. In my name - By my authority committed to them. Raising the dead is not mentioned. So our Lord performed even more than he promised.