What Bible Verse Talks About Handling Snakes? Unpacking a Controversial Scripture
The verse: Mark 16:18 – what it really says
Let’s get straight to it. The most famous (or infamous) Bible verse about handling snakes is Mark 16:18. In the King James Version (KJV), it reads:
"They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."
Whoa. That’s a bold promise, right?
This verse is part of the so-called “longer ending” of the Gospel of Mark — a section that has sparked debate for centuries. It's often quoted in full gospel or Pentecostal churches, especially the more extreme ones that practice literal snake handling during worship. But hang on — does it really say believers should pick up snakes?
Context matters: literal or symbolic?
Was Jesus being metaphorical?
That’s the million-dollar question. Some scholars argue this verse is more symbolic — referring to overcoming danger, evil, or deception (snakes being ancient symbols of all that). Others insist it refers to actual, miraculous protection from harm. And to be fair, Paul survives a snake bite in Acts 28:3–6, which adds fuel to the fire.
I once heard a preacher say, “God gave us faith, not foolishness.” He believed the verse is true, but not a command to go looking for vipers on Sunday morning. I kinda agree.
Disputed authenticity of Mark 16:9–20
Here’s where it gets tricky. Many modern Bibles include a footnote saying verses 9 through 20 of Mark 16 may not have been in the earliest manuscripts. That means some theologians don’t fully treat this section as original Scripture. It’s not fake — just… debated.
So, while the snake-handling part is in some Bibles, it might not have been penned by Mark himself. That makes a big difference in how seriously people take it, theologically speaking.
Real-world snake handling: where does it happen?
Appalachian churches and the “signs” movement
Snake handling as a practice started in early 20th-century Pentecostal churches in Appalachia — places like Tennessee, Kentucky, and West Virginia. A guy named George Went Hensley is often credited with popularizing it. He saw Mark 16:18 as a direct command.
Even today, some churches (usually very small, rural, and isolated) include snakes in their worship. The logic? If your faith is strong enough, you won’t get bitten. If you do — well, some say it’s God's will.
Honestly? That’s intense.
What do mainstream Christians say?
Not exactly standard Sunday school stuff
Most mainstream denominations — Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran — do not support literal snake handling. They view Mark 16:18 as a description, not a prescription. Meaning: it's not a command, just a record of what believers might experience if God allows.
Even many charismatic Christians say, “Hey, miracles happen, but we don’t test God.”
And that’s key. There's a big difference between trusting God and intentionally putting yourself in danger to prove something.
Final thoughts: faith, wisdom, and caution
So, what Bible verse talks about handling snakes? Mark 16:18. But whether it’s a call to demonstrate faith or a symbolic reassurance of divine protection — that depends a lot on your interpretation, tradition, and maybe your zip code.
If you ask me, faith doesn’t need venom to be real. It needs love, courage, and maybe a bit of common sense. And if a church hands you a rattlesnake? Maybe just... politely decline.
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| Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years) | ||
|---|---|---|
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