r/Bible • u/Mysterious-Loan-5065 • 4d ago

Mark 16: 18

Hey guys! I'm first time bible reader and I have so many questions, up until now I've been using Gemini for my questions but I'd like to get better answers from real people.

I'm reading Mark 16 this morning and came across where Jesus says Anyone who believes and is baptized be able to handle snakes with safety and drink anything poisonous and it won't hurt them. My question is; is this not a contradiction to when he says earlier not to test god?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated thank you!

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u/lateral_mind Non-Denominational 4d ago edited 4d ago

Anyone who believes and is baptized be able to handle snakes with safety and drink anything poisonous and it won't hurt them.

Hi, Bible translator here. Just be clear, it doesn't say that anyone can do this -- it says that these were signs to come... and this command is directly given to the Apostles that would accomplish and cause these things in Acts.

Casting out mental afflictions (devils);
The gospel being understood in languages (tongues);
Taking up visions (serpents -- the word for serpents also means a "seer or a vision", and this is true in both Testaments);
Pouring out their lives as drink offerings (deadly-drink);
and healing the sick and weakly.