Introduction: Signs That Follow
The longer ending of Mark concludes with a beautiful note of divine validation:
τὸν λόγον βεβαιοῦντος διὰ τῶν ἐπακολουθούντων σημείων
“confirming the word through the signs that followed.”
The prepositional phrase διὰ τῶν ἐπακολουθούντων σημείων functions to express the means by which the word was being confirmed. The participle ἐπακολουθούντων is present active genitive plural, emphasizing that these signs were not isolated miracles, but ongoing accompaniment—a continual aftermath of faithful preaching.
τοῦ κυρίου συνεργοῦντος, καὶ τὸν λόγον βεβαιοῦντος διὰ τῶν ἐπακολουθούντων σημείων.
Let’s now focus on the final phrase of Mark 16:20:
διὰ τῶν ἐπακολουθούντων σημείων —
“through the signs that followed”
This phrase uses a genitive plural present participle (ἐπακολουθούντων) modifying the genitive noun σημείων, and the entire phrase functions as a prepositional genitive of means or agency. It tells how the Lord confirmed the word: through signs that were continually following.
Morphological Breakdown
- διὰ {diá} –
Form: preposition governing the genitive here;
Meaning: “through,” “by means of”;
Function: indicates means, agency, or instrumentality—how something was accomplished. - τῶν σημείων {ton simíon} –
Root: σημεῖον {seméion};
Form: genitive neuter plural;
Meaning: “signs,” “miracles,” “attesting wonders”;
Usage: object of διὰ; modified by ἐπακολουθούντων. - ἐπακολουθούντων {epakolouthúnton} –
Root: ἐπακολουθέω {epakolouthéō};
Form: present active participle, genitive neuter plural;
Meaning: “following,” “accompanying”;
Notes: Agrees with σημείων; used here adjectivally to describe the nature of the signs as those which consistently followed.
Syntactical Analysis: Genitive of Means with Participial Modifier
The phrase is structured as:
– διὰ + genitive = “through, by means of”
– Modified by a present participle = “(the signs) that were following”
This is a classic example of:
– A genitive of means (διὰ τῶν σημείων)
– Further defined by an adjectival participle (ἐπακολουθούντων)
It tells us how God confirmed the word:
> Not just by any signs, but by signs that habitually followed the preaching.
Semantic and Theological Implications
The present participle ἐπακολουθούντων implies:
– Regular occurrence
– Consistent accompaniment
This reflects Luke’s broader theology (cf. Acts):
– Signs and wonders follow obedience.
– They are not entertainment, but confirmation.
– They trail behind those who walk in faith.
σημεῖα in Mark often point to:
– Healing
– Exorcism
– Tongues and power
But most importantly: they validate the message.
Literary and Narrative Impact
This phrase wraps up the Gospel with:
– A human mission (ἐκήρυξαν πανταχοῦ)
– A divine partnership (συνεργοῦντος)
– A continuous divine validation (βεβαιοῦντος… διὰ τῶν ἐπακολουθούντων σημείων)
It functions like a narrative seal: the preaching of Jesus continues, and so do the signs that follow.
By the Signs That Were Following
The phrase διὰ τῶν ἐπακολουθούντων σημείων is not decorative—it is declarative:
– The gospel went forward.
– God went with it.
– And the signs?
They didn’t lead—they followed.
And the participle reminds us:
They still follow today.
