Mark 16:15-18
To the whole creation ( παση τη κτισε ). This commission in Mark is probably another report of the missionary Magna Charta in Mt 28:16-20 spoken on the mountain in Galilee. One commission has already been given by Christ (Joh 20:21-23). The third appears in Lu 24:44-49; Ac 1:3-8.And is baptized ( κα βαπτισθεις ). The omission of
baptized with "disbelieveth" would seem to show that Jesus does not make baptism essential to salvation. Condemnation rests on disbelief, not on baptism. So salvation rests on belief. Baptism is merely the picture of the new life not the means of securing it. So serious a sacramental doctrine would need stronger support anyhow than this disputed portion of Mark.
They shall speak with new tongues ( γλωσσαις λαλησουσιν [καιναισ] ). Westcott and Hort put καιναις (new) in the margin. Casting out demons we have seen in the ministry of Jesus. Speaking with tongues comes in the apostolic era (Ac 2:3f.; 10:46; 19:6; 1Co 12:28; 14).
They shall take up serpents ( οφεις αρουσιν ). Jesus had said something like this in Lu 10:19 and Paul was unharmed by the serpent in Malta (Ac 28:3f.).
If they drink any deadly thing ( κ'αν θανασιμον τ πιωσιν ). This is the only N.T. instance of the old Greek word θανασιμος (deadly). Jas 3:8 has θανατηφορος, deathbearing. Bruce considers these verses in Mark "a great lapse from the high level of Matthew's version of the farewell words of Jesus" and holds that "taking up venomous serpents and drinking deadly poison seem to introduce us into the twilight of apocryphal story." The great doubt concerning the genuineness of these verses (fairly conclusive proof against them in my opinion) renders it unwise to take these verses as the foundation for doctrine or practice unless supported by other and genuine portions of the N.T.
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