Mar 16:20, Heb 2:4 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 20. They went forth . The apostles. Every where . In all parts of the world. See the account in the Acts and the Epistles. The Lord working with them . By miracles; by removing obstacles; by supporting them, and by giving the gospel success, and making it effectual to saving men. Confirming the word . Showing it to be the word of God, or a revelation from heaven. With signs following . By attending miracles. By raising the dead, healing the sick, etc., as signs that God was with them, and had sent them forth to preach. Amen . Truly, verily. So be it. This word here is of no authority. There is no reason to think that it was added by Mark. Mark is more concise than any other of the evangelists. In most instances he coincides with Matthew, though he has added some circumstances which Matthew had omitted. There is no evidence, however, that he copied from Matthew. The last chapter in Mark contains some things omitted in Matthew, and some things of fearful import. We learn from it that the gospel is to be preached to all mankind. Every man is to be offered eternal life; and he rejects it at his peril. The condition of the man who will not believe is fearfully awful. The Son of God has solemnly declared that he shall be damned. He will judge the world; and there is none that can deliver out of his hand. No excuse will be allowed for not believing . Unless a man has faith, he must be lost for ever. This is the solemn assurance of the whole Bible, and in view of this awful declaration of the merciful Redeemer, how sad is the condition of him who has no confidence in Jesus, and who has never looked to him for eternal life! And how important that without delay he should make his peace with God, and possess that faith which is connected with eternal life! (l) "the Lord"

Mark 16:20

Verse 20. They went forth. The apostles.

Every where. In all parts of the world. See the account in the Acts and the Epistles.

The Lord working with them. By miracles; by removing obstacles; by supporting them, and by giving the gospel success, and making it effectual to saving men.

Confirming the word. Showing it to be the word of God, or a revelation from heaven.

With signs following. By attending miracles. By raising the dead, healing the sick, etc., as signs that God was with them, and had sent them forth to preach.

Amen. Truly, verily. So be it. This word here is of no authority. There is no reason to think that it was added by Mark.

Mark is more concise than any other of the evangelists. In most instances he coincides with Matthew, though he has added some circumstances which Matthew had omitted. There is no evidence, however, that he copied from Matthew. The last chapter in Mark contains some things omitted in Matthew, and some things of fearful import. We learn from it that the gospel is to be preached to all mankind. Every man is to be offered eternal life; and he rejects it at his peril. The condition of the man who will not believe is fearfully awful. The Son of God has solemnly declared that he shall be damned. He will judge the world; and there is none that can deliver out of his hand. No excuse will be allowed for not believing. Unless a man has faith, he must be lost for ever. This is the solemn assurance of the whole Bible, and in view of this awful declaration of the merciful Redeemer, how sad is the condition of him who has no confidence in Jesus, and who has never looked to him for eternal life! And how important that without delay he should make his peace with God, and possess that faith which is connected with eternal life!

(l) "the Lord" Acts 5:12, 14:3, Heb 2:4

Hebrews 2:4

Verse 4. God also bearing them witness. By miracles. Giving them the sanction of his authority, or showing that they were sent by him. No man can work a miracle by his own power. When the dead are raised, the deaf made to hear, and the blind to see, by a word, it is the power of God alone that does it. He thus becomes a witness to the Divine appointment of him by whose instrumentality the miracle is wrought; or furnishes an attestation that what he says is true. Acts 14:3.

With signs and wonders. These words are usually connected in the New Testament. The word rendered signs σημειον-- means any miraculous event that is fitted to show that what had been predicted by a prophet would certainly take place. See Mt 12:38. Compare Isa 7:1. A wonder -τερας-- denotes a portent, or prodigy--something that is fitted to excite wonder or amazement-and hence a miracle. The words together refer to the various miracles which were performed by the Lord Jesus and his apostles, designed to confirm the truth of the Christian religion.

And with divers miracles. Various miracles--such as healing the sick, raising the dead, etc. The miracles were not of one class merely, but were various, so that all pretence of deception should be taken away.

And gifts of the Holy Ghost. Marg. Distributions, The various influences of the Holy Spirit enabling them to speak different languages, and to perform works beyond the power of man. 1Cor 12:4-11.

According to his own will. As he chose. He acted as a sovereign in this. He gave them where he pleased, and imparted them in such measure as he chose. The sense of this whole passage is--"The gospel has been promulgated to man in a solemn manner. It was first published by the Lord of glory himself. It was confirmed by the most impressive and solemn miracles. It is undoubtedly a revelation from heaven; was given in more solemn circumstances than the law of Moses, and its threatenings are more to be dreaded than those of the law. Beware, therefore, how you trifle with it, or disregard it. It cannot be neglected with safety; its neglect or rejection must be attended with condemnation."