What Does the Bible Say About Snake Handling?

Mark 16:18 ESV / 40 helpful votes

They will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Mark 16:17-18 ESV / 38 helpful votes

And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

2 Peter 3:10 ESV / 13 helpful votes

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.

Matthew 4:7 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

Isaiah 41:10 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Revelation 12:9 ESV / 9 helpful votes

And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV / 9 helpful votes

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

Romans 7:4 ESV / 9 helpful votes

Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God.

Revelation 11:1-19 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, “Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months. And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed. ...

2 John 1:2 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever:

1 John 5:16-17 ESV / 8 helpful votes

If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death.

1 John 2:2 ESV / 8 helpful votes

He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

Ephesians 2:15 ESV / 8 helpful votes

By abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace,

Luke 4:9-12 ESV / 8 helpful votes

And he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, “‘He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,’ and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’” And Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

Revelation 14:11 ESV / 7 helpful votes

And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.”

Revelation 13:8 ESV / 7 helpful votes

And all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.

Revelation 6:9-11 ESV / 7 helpful votes

When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.

Revelation 3:14 ESV / 7 helpful votes

“And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation.

1 John 4:1 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

1 Peter 4:6 ESV / 7 helpful votes

For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV / 7 helpful votes

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

Colossians 2:14 ESV / 7 helpful votes

By canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

1 Corinthians 2:14 ESV / 7 helpful votes

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.

Romans 10:4 ESV / 7 helpful votes

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

Luke 10:19 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.

Deuteronomy 6:16 ESV / 7 helpful votes

“You shall not put the Lord your God to the test, as you tested him at Massah.

Revelation 1:1 ESV / 6 helpful votes

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

Mark 16:17 ESV / 6 helpful votes

And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues;

Mark 16:9-20 ESV / 6 helpful votes

[[Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept. But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it. After these things he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them. ...

Genesis 3:15 ESV / 6 helpful votes

I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

Revelation 12:1 ESV / 5 helpful votes

And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.

Ephesians 2:8 ESV / 5 helpful votes

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

1 Corinthians 10:9 ESV / 5 helpful votes

We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents,

Acts 28:3 ESV / 5 helpful votes

When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand.

Acts 28:1-6 ESV / 5 helpful votes

After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta. The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold. When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. ...

John 3:16-17 ESV / 5 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Mark 16:1 ESV / 5 helpful votes

When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him.

Acts 28:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes

The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold.

Matthew 10:16 ESV / 4 helpful votes

“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

1 Samuel 28:1-25 ESV / 4 helpful votes

In those days the Philistines gathered their forces for war, to fight against Israel. And Achish said to David, “Understand that you and your men are to go out with me in the army.” David said to Achish, “Very well, you shall know what your servant can do.” And Achish said to David, “Very well, I will make you my bodyguard for life.” Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had put the mediums and the necromancers out of the land. The Philistines assembled and came and encamped at Shunem. And Saul gathered all Israel, and they encamped at Gilboa. When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. ...

Numbers 21:6 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Then the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died.

Exodus 7:9 ESV / 4 helpful votes

“When Pharaoh says to you, ‘Prove yourselves by working a miracle,’ then you shall say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and cast it down before Pharaoh, that it may become a serpent.’”

Genesis 3:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?”

Revelation 20:1-15 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while. Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. ...

Ephesians 2:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—

Luke 10:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.

Mark 16:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?”

47 Bible Verses about Snake Handling

Mark 16:18 ESV / 40 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 16:17-18 ESV / 38 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Peter 3:10 ESV / 13 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 4:7 ESV / 12 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 41:10 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 12:9 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 7:4 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 11:1-19 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 John 1:2 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 5:16-17 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 2:2 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 2:15 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 4:9-12 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 14:11 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 13:8 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 6:9-11 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 3:14 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 4:1 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 4:6 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 2:14 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 2:14 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 10:4 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 10:19 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Deuteronomy 6:16 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 1:1 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 16:17 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 16:9-20 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 3:15 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 12:1 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 2:8 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 10:9 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 28:3 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 28:1-6 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:16-17 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 16:1 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 28:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 10:16 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Samuel 28:1-25 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Numbers 21:6 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Exodus 7:9 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 3:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 20:1-15 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 2:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 10:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 16:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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