Mar 16:18, Act 9:17 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 18. They shall take up serpents . When it is necessary for the sake of establishing religion, they shall handle poisonous reptiles without injury: thus showing that God was with him, to keep them from harm. This was literally fulfilled when Paul shook the viper from his hand. See . Any deadly thing . Any poison usually causing death. Shall not hurt them . There is a similar promise in . They shall lay hands on the sick , etc. See instances of this in the Acts of the Apostles, , etc. (g) "serpents" (h) "they shall lay"

Mark 16:18

Verse 18. They shall take up serpents. When it is necessary for the sake of establishing religion, they shall handle poisonous reptiles without injury: thus showing that God was with him, to keep them from harm. This was literally fulfilled when Paul shook the viper from his hand. See Acts 28:5,6.

Any deadly thing. Any poison usually causing death.

Shall not hurt them. There is a similar promise in Isa 43:2.

They shall lay hands on the sick, etc. See instances of this in the Acts of the Apostles, Acts 3:6,7, 5:15, etc.

(g) "serpents" Lk 10:19, Acts 28:5 (h) "they shall lay" Acts 5:15,16, 28:8, Jas 5:14,15

Acts 9:17

Verse 17. Putting his hands on him. This was not ordination, but was the usual mode of imparting or communicating blessings. Mt 19:13; Mt 9:18.

Brother Saul. An expression recognizing him as a fellow-Christian.

Be filled with the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:4.

(k) "putting his hands" Acts 8:17 (a) "be filled" Acts 2:4 (*) "Ghost" "Spirit"