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NASB | Mark 16:18 they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Mark 16:18 they will pick up serpents, and if they drink anything deadly, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will get well." |
Subject: Putting the Lord to the test. |
Bible Note: Hi Mally, and welcome to the forum. Here is something from the “Bible Knowledge Commentary” that might help answer your post. (BKC) In the Greek the first two clauses in Mark 16:18 may be understood as conditional clauses with the third clause as the conclusion. An interpretive rendering would be, “And if they be compelled to pick up snakes with their hands and if they should be compelled to drink deadly poison, it shall by no means,(the original language) (ME) means an emphatic negative; cf. 13:2) harm them.” This promise of immunity by divine protection in either situation refers to occasions when persecutors would force believers to do these things. This does not warrant voluntary snake-handling or drinking of poison, practices not attested in the early church. Since Paul’s encounter with a snake at Malta was unintentional (cf. Acts 28:3-5), the New Testament records no actual instance of either of the experiences described here. Have a great day, CDBJ |