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Response
Snake handling, as practiced by some misguided churches, is not a biblical practice. Mark 16:17–18 is sometimes used as a justification for handling snakes: “These signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will . . . pick up snakes with their hands.” Churches that engage in snake handling conduct special services where individuals handle venomous snakes, supposedly demonstrating that the church members are true believers who are empowered and protected by God. While Mark 16:17–18 does mention Jesus’ followers picking up snakes, there are several issues with the contemporary practice of snake handling.
Firstly, the act of handling snakes to “prove” one’s faith (or God’s protection) goes against God’s command not to test Him: “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test’” (Matthew 4:7;cf: Deuteronomy 6:16). Trying to manipulate God by demanding an obvious miracle is not just unwise; it is sinful. Scripture explicitly prohibits testing God’s presence and power by deliberately placing oneself in harm’s way. Daniel did not seek out the lions, but when he found himself among them, not by his own choice, he discovered that God was there. Similarly, we rely on God in perilous situations, but we do not intentionally seek out danger.
Secondly, it is crucial to acknowledge that there are significant doubts about whether verses 9–20 of Mark 16 are authentic. Evidence suggests that these verses were not originally part of the Gospel of Mark. Some of the oldest and most reliable Greek manuscripts do not include verses 9–20. Other manuscripts contain these verses but distinguish them from the rest of the Gospel. The most plausible explanation is that Mark 16:9–20 is an addition.Interpolation. Consequently, it is imprudent to rely solely on anything from Mark 16:9–20 for any doctrine or practice. Snake handling is a prime example of a questionable concept derived from Mark 16:9–20. For further details, please refer to our article “Should Mark 16:9–20 be included in the Bible?”
If we hypothetically consider, despite evidence to the contrary, that Mark 16:17–18 is part of Scripture, does it advocate handling snakes in church? Absolutely not. Mark 16:17–18 does not contain commands. The verse does not instruct, “Go handle snakes”; it states, “They will pick up snakes with their hands.” It is a statement about what will happen, not an instruction to make it happen.
Again, assuming the passage about snake handling is authentic Scripture, we could point out that Jesus’ words were fulfilled by the apostle Paul in Acts 28:3–5: “Paul gathered a bundle of brushwood and, as he laid it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. . . . But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no harm.” Note that Paul was not actively seeking snakes to handle. He was handling firewood when bitten by a snake unexpectedly. God intervened and miraculously shielded Paul from the snakebite’s effects. Jesus’ words in Mark 16:17–18 assured His apostles that, as they faithfully served God in spreading the gospel, He could safeguard them from any dangers they encountered.
If the snake-handling congregations were consistent, they would also adhere to the latter part of Mark 16:18: “And if they drink any deadly poison, it will not harm them at all.” Why not consume a vial of strychnine or arsenic to “demonstrate” one’s faith in that manner? Why limit it to snakes?
God can and will protect us, in accordance with His plan, as we serve Him. However, we are not to test the Lord. Just as Jesus declined to jump off the temple pinnacle and just as Daniel did not go hunting for lions, we are not to engage in such reckless endeavors.Individuals occasionally seek out circumstances that necessitate God’s miraculous intervention. Although not specifically addressing snake handling in churches, 1 Corinthians 10:9 could be relevant: “We should not test the Lord, as some of them did— and were killed by snakes.”
