Mar 16:18, Luk 10:19 | 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

Luke 10:19

Verse 19. To tread on serpents. Preservation from danger. If you tread on a poisonous reptile that would otherwise injure you, I will keep you from danger. If you go among bitter and malignant enemies that would seek your life, I will preserve you. Mk 16:18.

Scorpions. The scorpion is an animal with eight feet, eight eyes, and a long jointed tail, ending in a pointed weapon or sting. It is found in tropical climates, and seldom exceeds 4 inches in length. Its sting is extremely poisonous, and it is sometimes fatal to life. It is in Scripture the emblem of malicious and crafty men. When rolled up it has some resemblance to an egg, Lk 12:12; Eze 2:6. The annexed cut will give an idea of its usual form and appearance.

The enemy. Satan. The meaning of this verse is, that Jesus would preserve them from the power of Satan and all his emissaries--from all wicked and crafty men; and this shows that he had divine power. He that can control Satan and his hosts--that can be present to guard from all their machinations, see all their plans, and destroy all their designs, must be clothed with no less than almighty power.

(v) "tread on serpents" Mk 16:18, Acts 28:5