Mark 16:17, commentary and pictures

The risen Christ spoke these words to the eleven just before His ascension, after rebuking their unbelief, commanding them to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature with the promise that whoever believes and is baptized shall be saved.
The signs are promised to them that believe generally, not to the apostles only, and the promise sets no time limit but extends as far as the gospel commission reaches to the last believer.
Casting out devils in His name means the power of gospel truth expels Satan's workings on human minds, and speaking with new tongues means preaching clearly to people of different nations as at Pentecost, joined with protection from harm and healing of the sick by laying on of hands.
The signs follow believers to confirm the preached word, with the Lord working through them by the Holy Spirit when they abide in Christ in living, humble faith giving glory to God.
As the work closes the latter rain will again attend the message with miracles and healings, while Satan will also work lying wonders so that signs alone do not prove a work is from God, and the verse gives no authority to claim power for self or to label others as possessed.

Setting and Commission Words

The risen Christ spoke these words to the eleven just before His ascension, after rebuking their hardness of heart and unbelief because they had not believed those who had seen Him risen. After He had spoken He was received up into heaven and sat on the right hand of God. The disciples then went forth and preached everywhere, with the Lord working with them and confirming the word with signs following. The instruction belonged to the work they were to carry on in the earth according to the example He had set in His ministry, and it was given also as a wonderful presentation to be studied most earnestly by ministers, physicians, youth, and all church members. It was spoken after He rose from the dead and blessed the disciples at Bethany before He was carried up, as part of His charge to preach repentance and remission of sins among all nations with the promise of power from on high.

The command is to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. It includes teaching all nations and baptizing, with the promise that whoever believes and is baptized shall be saved and whoever believes not shall be condemned. It is accompanied by Christ's presence always even unto the end of the world and by help from on high for those who enter neglected, unworked fields and cooperate with Him. It outlines the work of the members of the church of God and requires breaking up overbuilt centers to plant memorials in neglected cities of America and all the world.

This closing commission follows Christ's earlier first charge on the disciples' first missionary journey to preach the kingdom and heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, and cast out devils. It was given at the close of His earthly ministry to carry on the ministry after His example. It belongs with the instruction in Matthew 28 to teach all nations.

At the beginning the apostles as eyewitnesses of Jesus and His resurrection preached salvation in Jerusalem with evidence from prophecy. Their testimony concerned His suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension, and the sacrifice for sin through which people find life. Miraculous signs in Jesus' name confirmed their testimony about Christ, including casting out demons and speaking with new tongues, worked not in their own strength but in the strength of the Holy Ghost who rested especially upon them as witnesses.

Meaning of the Signs

Casting out devils in His name is the power of gospel truth expelling Satan's dark workings on human minds, giving believers power over the works of Satan to rebuke evil spirits and to heal those whom Satan has afflicted. This continues the work entrusted to the disciples, with the Holy Spirit resting especially upon the apostles as witnesses of the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension, through whose name they performed signs and wonders. The miraculous signs follow those who believe as God's miracle-working power revealed in many places, working through living faith by the Holy Spirit upon the body.

Speaking with new tongues equips believers to preach among people of different nations, so that speech in one's own or in foreign languages is clear and accurate, as was displayed at Pentecost at the beginning of the Christian age. These signs, including casting out evil spirits, are manifestations of spiritual gifts that accompany believers as they carry out the commission to preach the gospel and that confirm their testimony about Christ through the promised power of the Holy Spirit. In the same promise, those who accept Bible truth for this time receive new hearts and speak new words as they go out to preach Christ, and the Lord works with them and confirms their message.

The full promise joins these two signs with taking up serpents, protection from deadly poison drunk without hurt, and healing of the sick through laying on of hands. The protection from serpents was seen in the case of Paul, and the protection from deadly drink guarded against the common practice of poisoning by unscrupulous ambitious men and by deluded persecutors who thought killing the witnesses was doing God service. God has also kept believing people from being hurt or destroyed by many deadly things taken in eating and drinking in ways they cannot know, with testimony and message confirmed by signs and wonders and miracles worked not in human strength but in the strength of the Holy Ghost. Rebuking demons in Jesus' name is a sign that may accompany believers in the present time and may require repeated rebuking before the afflicted person becomes calm, while rebuking disease in Jesus' name can bring immediate relief though the one healed may remain weak and faith still be tested.

Recipients and Lasting Promise

The signs are promised to them that believe generally, not to the apostles or first ministers only, for miraculous powers attend believers in Jesus' name, including casting out demons and speaking in new tongues. The wording that signs shall attend or accompany believers shows the promise is attached to believing itself, and it cannot be limited to the first Christians unless believing itself was required only of them. It is evidence that spiritual gifts belonged to the Christian age from its beginning, given as part of the commission to preach the gospel, with some displayed at Pentecost. Through the gift of the Holy Spirit believers receive marvelous power so their testimony is confirmed by signs and wonders, including taking up serpents without harm, drinking deadly things without harm, and recovery of the sick through laying on of hands.

The verse sets no stated limit restricting the gifts to one age, but they belong alongside the enduring work of preaching, faith, baptism, and salvation. They extend as far as the gospel commission reaches, to the last believer, for as long as it reaches people. The day for working as the apostles worked is not past, and the words are spoken to believers today as fully as to the first disciples. These plain directions outline the work of Christ's witnesses now, to warn fellow beings, work for neighbors, do earnest sanctified work in unworked cities and centers, bring Bible truth before many to prepare them to stand in the day of the Lord, reveal God's character to a world lying in sin by living Christ before the world, and minister to sin-sick souls and to those needing physical healing, since physical healing is of heavenly birth and bound up with the gospel. The power enables mighty preaching of the gospel that converted thousands in a day, with the Lord working with those who go forth everywhere and confirming the word by those signs.

The promise remains as fresh and strong and trustworthy now as in the days of the apostles, and it is the privilege of God's children to claim by faith as the endorsement of faith. It is to be pleaded now, with believers bringing the sick and suffering to God in the arms of faith, teaching them to believe in the great Healer, and praying for relief until the healing power of God is revealed. This part of the commission belongs in practical life with as great force as preaching the Word, and its need of faith in God must be revived and kept before the church, though carrying faith healing to an extreme has greatly hurt the subject and the sense of these privileges has become almost extinct. Believers should expect the promise to be fulfilled and seek the fullness of the Holy Spirit, sent after Christ's ascension to enlighten, convert, and sanctify the soul, for God gives all gifts through this one gift and desires to show His power among His people through people of faith and prayer.

No one believer is promised every gift, for the Spirit distributes as He wills according to each one's need in the Lord's work, and believers may by faith claim the gifts they can receive as confirmation of their faith. Limited historical manifestation does not disprove continuance, for the promise supports the continuing availability of spiritual gifts in the Christian age. Lack of faith explains why that power has not been seen more fully. That power was imparted to the disciples and would remain with the church if it retained its holy and distinct character, and with it the church would be mighty and a terror to its enemies, seen in healing the sick and rebuking and casting out devils.

Confirmation by Holy Spirit

The signs follow believers to confirm the testimony about Christ as they proclaim the gospel, with the Lord working alongside His messengers to confirm the preached word. In His name they cast out evil spirits and speak with new tongues, together with the other signs listed in the commission including healing through laying hands on the sick. Christ works through appointed human agents by the Holy Spirit to make the word effective and bring people to faith and obedience, not in human strength, joining spiritual ministry with practical care for the sick. Speaking with other tongues equipped the disciples to preach among people of different nations, and at Pentecost their speech in their own or foreign languages was clear and accurate.

The miracle-working power belongs to Christ, and those who work in His name rely on Him so that miracles make clear that He their Redeemer performs them, with Christ accompanying the proclamation of truth by His power. That power comes through the Holy Spirit, sent after Christ's ascension to enlighten, convert and sanctify the soul, and God gives all gifts through this one gift, which believers should expect to be fulfilled in its fullness and seek in its fullness. The power was imparted to the disciples and would remain with the church if it retained its holy and distinct character, to be seen in healing the sick and rebuking and casting out devils. With it the church would be mighty and a terror to its enemies, and God desires to show His power among His people through people of faith and prayer as the Spirit works on hearts.

All such power works through living faith by the Holy Spirit upon the body, requiring not holding self in one's own hands but dropping self into the hands of God, getting out of self and abiding in Christ consecrated to God and controlled by the Holy Spirit. Healing comes when prayer is offered with glory given to God and when the sick are humbled, meek and lowly like Christ so they will remain humble and not be spoiled or exalted by the blessing. Lack of humility and the danger of self-glorification keeps God from entrusting His blessing to many. The signs following those who believe are the privilege of God's children to claim by faith as the endorsement of faith, a promise to be pleaded now just as fresh and strong and trustworthy as in the days of the apostles, though carrying faith healing to an extreme has greatly hurt the subject and the sense of these privileges has become almost extinct. Every true worker fulfills it by walking and living as Christ walked and lived, redoubling earnest sanctified exertion wherever Christ's cause has a claim and doing much more good for the souls and bodies of those needing healing of infirmities.

The verse gives assurance to workers now called to preach the Word and to canvass everywhere and to enter neglected unworked fields, that Christ is with them always even unto the end of the world and that help from on high and the presence of Christ attend them in accomplishing His work. God works through those who are true and whole-hearted and who cooperate with Christ the great Medical Missionary, and with God nothing will be impossible, for the sufficiency is all of God. In the warfare against error the help needed in darkness comes from Christ and not from human beings, so believers are to claim the promise instead of casting burdens on an overworked man, and to place confidence in Christ as the Mighty Counsellor standing among them rather than turning to uncertain dependent human beings. It belongs with Christ's declaration that all power is given to Him in heaven and earth for teaching all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, and teaching obedience.

Final Proclamation Prophecy

As the gospel work reaches its close, the outpouring of the latter rain will again attend the proclamation of the message with miracles, healing, and other signs and wonders, just as the opening of the gospel was marked by the former rain. A great reformatory movement among God's people will accompany these signs, with the sick healed, other miracles wrought, and hearts convicted by the Holy Spirit and brought to genuine conversion as the truth is proclaimed. That worldwide loud cry of the third message will go forth with Pentecost power, with signs and wonders attending the work of believers.

In that final proclamation of Heaven's warning throughout the earth, believers will perform mighty miracles and the sick will be healed. These signs and wonders will follow those who believe in the final proclamation of the third angel's message. They will accompany the work of God in the final call for people to leave the fallen churches and stand with those keeping God's commandments.

Satan will also perform lying, deceptive wonders at that time, even bringing fire down from heaven, so signs alone do not establish that a work is from God. By these opposing manifestations of power, people throughout the earth will be brought to choose their side.

Mission and Healing Application

The commission joins preaching of the gospel with works of healing and deliverance, for the promised signs that accompany believers include driving out evil spirits in Christ's name and healing the sick through laying on of hands to confirm the preached word. Physical healing is of heavenly birth and is bound up with the gospel commission, so spiritual ministry and practical care for the sick belong together in the same promise with protection from serpents and deadly harm. Medical missionary work belongs to the third angel's message as the right arm belongs to the body, to serve and work with it and not to be made the head over it. The value of medical skill in opening hearts to the gospel is seen in Luke's care for physical needs.

The power promised equips those sent to preach the gospel and to proclaim the conditions of salvation. That ministry is to be carried to all nations and to those who have not heard the truth, including giving the world the final message of warning. It is to be fulfilled in dependence on Christ's power rather than on human help.

The promise belongs to those who enter dark, diseased, neglected and unworked fields and cooperate with Christ the great Medical Missionary, assured of help from on high and of His presence in the work. It requires breaking up overbuilt centers and distributing means to plant memorials in neglected cities in America and throughout the world. That planting includes Washington, D.C. as the heart of the nation, so that lawmakers and all people receive the full rays of present truth, the third angel's message, the law of God, and health reform, with the truth presented in humble simplicity to bear its own savor of life unto life.

No one is shut out from ministering to others, for the signs following believers are the privilege of God's children to claim by faith as the endorsement of faith, as fresh and trustworthy now as in the days of the apostles. Believers are to bring the sick and suffering to God in the arms of faith, teach them to believe in the great Healer, pray for relief until the healing power of God is revealed, and expect miracles by putting the whole heart in trust, leaning on Him and telling Him all about sickness. Jesus is the mighty Healer with power behind His promises, and God wants the sick to live and not die to declare His works, so they should hold fast and be strong. Much good is done for those needing healing when workers abide in Christ and are controlled by the Holy Spirit, and believers are to pray for the sick and ask the Lord to restore and heal suffering people. Trained medical missionaries in the South and other fields may see miracles wrought in Christ's name through their service, for relieving pain prepares hearts to listen to the truth, and evidence is to be given by deeds as well as words, with miracle-working power attending the work when done with understanding and the promised gifts bestowed on faithful servants.

Fulfilling the commission calls for complete consecration and devoted service in carrying out the work entrusted to Christ's people, with assurance of a living Saviour and Advocate in heaven and of His promised blessing. Every true worker fulfills it by getting out of self, abiding in Christ, and walking and living as Christ walked and lived. The special assignment is to reveal the character of God to a world lying in sin by living Christ before the world, warning fellow beings, working for neighbors, doing earnest sanctified evangelical work in unworked cities and centers, and bringing Bible truth before many to prepare them to stand in the day of the Lord. As Christ's labor grew more intense with no limit as His time on earth grew shorter, so true workers redouble earnest, sanctified exertion wherever His cause has a claim and His people have necessities to be met. That power enables mighty preaching of the gospel that converted thousands in a day.

Cautions Against Misuse

Casting out devils stands among the signs for believers, yet it gives no one authority to claim that power for himself and to label others as possessed. To invoke it to justify declaring persons possessed by the devil and pretending to cast out evil spirits is a false interpretation and a misapplication. Such a course is fanaticism, not the work of the Spirit of the Lord. A mere claim to possess power to cast out devils proves nothing about divine origin, for men may deceive themselves and others while professing to act for God's glory. Nor does such a claim show that the Lord appointed the claimant, since influence exerted over minds can lead people to believe they are possessed, whereas God's power is seen in freeing people from fanaticism and disorder and bringing them into unity of faith.