Mark 16:18 Commentary - Whedon's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
18. They shall take up serpents All the miracles here specified, and more, were doubtless plentifully performed in the early Christian Church; but the scantiness of the historical record furnishes no narratives of some of them. Of the present miracle of taking up serpents but a single instance remains on record, namely, in Act 28:1-6.
Drink any deadly thing There is a legend that this miracle occurred to the apostle John, but it is not sufficiently authentic. Hands on the sick… recover Instances are alluded to in Act 3:6; Act 5:15, and Jas 5:14.
As bodily ills are the shadow of the ills of the soul, so these miracles of external mercy are images of the spiritual and moral miracles that Christianity ever works. In all ages the regenerating Spirit casts out devilish passions from men’s souls. The young convert to the Gospel speaks with a new language. The powerful grace of God enables the faithful Christian to handle unharmed the evil things of this life, and perform its secular business, which bite other men and kill them. The cup of temptation and trial which poisons the soul of the unregenerate is drained by the faithful truster in Christ unhurt. And from all the ailments of which men sicken and die, the power of the resurrection shall completely heal them.
Consult other comments:
Mark 16:18 - The Greek Testament
Mark 16:18 - Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible
Mark 16:18 - The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Mark 16:18 - Adam Clarke's Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Mark 16:18 - Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Mark 16:18 - Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Mark 16:18 - Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Mark 16:18 - Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
Mark 16:18 - John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
Mark 16:18 - Gnomon of the New Testament
Mark 16:18 - Henry Alford's Greek Testament
Mark 16:18 - Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Mark 16:18 - Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer's New Testament Commentary
Mark 16:18 - Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament
Mark 16:18 - A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Mark 16:18 - John Trapp's Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Mark 16:18 - The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Mark 16:18 - Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament
Mark 16:18 - Whedon's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Whedon's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Daniel D. Whedon (1808-1885) was a prominent university professor, theologian, and author. He served as Professor of Ancient Languages at Wesleyan University in Connecticut; as Professor of Rhetoric at the University of Michigan; and as editor of the Methodist Quarterly Review from 1856 to1884. He authored numerous books including Commentary on the New Testament (New York: Carlton & Porter, 1860); Commentary on the Old Testament (New York: Nelson & Phillips, 1873); What is Arminianism? (Toronto: W. Briggs, 1879); and Essays, Reviews, and Discourses (New York: Phillips & Hunt, 1887).