And they will say to you, ‘Look, there!’ or ‘Look, here!’ Do not go out or follow them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The warning isn't just about avoiding false Christs pointing to a location, but about resisting the urge to chase after any sensational claims or new spiritual "hotspots." Jesus highlights that the true Kingdom of God isn't found in a specific "here" or "there," so don't let urgent-sounding pronouncements pull you away from the steady, present reality of God's reign.
And they will say to you, ‘Look, there!’ or ‘Look, here!’ Do not go out or follow them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is warning his disciples about future deceptions, specifically concerning his return. In the context of discussions about the signs of the end times and the coming kingdom of God, he foresees a time when false leaders will claim to know the exact location of Christ or his imminent appearance. He urges his followers not to be swayed by these pronouncements, contrasting the hidden, localized claims of deceivers with the unmistakable, universal manifestation of the Son of Man, like lightning flashing across the sky.
Have you ever heard whispers about a spiritual leader or a miracle happening 'just over there'? It turns out this isn't a new phenomenon.
Jesus warns his followers about deceptive voices that will claim, 'Look, there!' or 'Look, here!' pointing to supposed locations of the Messiah. This language echoes warnings about false Christs and prophets who arose, especially around the time of Jerusalem's destruction. These individuals sought to lead people astray with sensational claims, promising immediate solutions or a hidden Messiah. They created localized excitement, drawing people away from the steady, truth-filled path of following Jesus.
If Jesus' kingdom isn't found in secret desert hideouts or specific earthly locations, where is it?
Jesus contrasts these deceptive whispers with the true nature of God's kingdom. Unlike the false alarms that point to specific, hidden locations ('here' or 'there'), the arrival of the kingdom is not about geographical searching. It's about a profound, transformative presence. The key isn't looking out there for a physical manifestation, but recognizing God's reign working within and amongst us, as Jesus had been teaching throughout his ministry.
It's easy to get swept up in exciting spiritual movements, but Jesus calls for a different response.
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The command 'Do not go out or follow them' isn't just a prohibition; it's a call to discernment. Undue eagerness or 'ardour' can lead us astray, just as it led followers to chase after false prophets. True spiritual wisdom involves evaluating claims against the established truth of God's Word and the person of Jesus Christ, rather than blindly following sensational pronouncements. We are called to a steady, discerning faith, not a frantic chase for the next spiritual trend.
Jesus' warning in Luke 17:23 directly addresses the real phenomenon of false messiahs and prophets that plagued first-century Judea, especially as the nation spiraled toward the catastrophic war with Rome.
c. 40s AD
Rise of False Messiahs
During the tumultuous decades leading up to the Jewish revolt, numerous individuals claimed to be the Messiah, drawing crowds and causing significant unrest in Judea. These figures often promised imminent deliverance.
c. 44 AD
Theudas Appears
A popular agitator named Theudas claimed to be a prophet and gathered a large following, promising to divide the Jordan River. He was eventually captured and executed.
c. 50s AD
The Egyptian's Rebellion
Another figure, known as 'The Egyptian', led thousands of Jewish rebels into the desert, claiming divine backing. The Roman governor suppressed this movement violently.
c. 55-60 AD
Paul's Ministry and Warnings
The Apostle Paul frequently warned believers in various churches about false apostles and deceptive teachings that sought to lead people astray from the true gospel.
c. 62 AD
Famines and Disturbances in Judea
The period saw increasing social unrest, famine, and political instability in Judea, creating fertile ground for messianic claims and expectations of divine intervention.
c. 66-73 AD— this verse
The First Jewish-Roman War
This devastating war began with Jewish rebellion against Roman rule, leading to immense suffering, widespread deception by false leaders, and the eventual destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple.
This passage directly parallels Jesus' warning about false Christs and false prophets appearing and claiming to have found him, urging his followers not to be led astray.
Mark 13:21Similar to Luke, Mark records Jesus' caution against false Christs and their claims, emphasizing the need for discernment rather than hasty following.
Acts 5:36This passage provides a historical example of a false leader, Theudas, who claimed to be someone important and gathered followers, ultimately meeting a disastrous end, illustrating the danger Jesus warns against.
2 Thessalonians 2:3This text warns against deception regarding the 'day of the Lord,' cautioning believers not to be easily shaken by claims of Christ's imminent return or by deceptive teachings.
barnesLuke 17:23: "And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them."
And they shall say ... - Many false Christs, according to Josephus, appeared about that time, attempting to lead away the people. See the notes at Matthew 24:23-27 .
gillLuke 17:23: "And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them."
And they shall say unto you, see here, or see there,.... That is, there is Christ; and in two of Beza's exemplars, the word Christ is added as in Matthew 24:23 from whence it seems to be transcribed: and the sense is, it shall be said by one or another; Christ is in such a place, or he is in such a place, and he will quickly appear, and deliver the people of the Jews out of all their distresses…
The warning isn't just about avoiding false Christs pointing to a location, but about resisting the urge to chase after any sensational claims or new spiritual "hotspots." Jesus highlights that the true Kingdom of God isn't found in a specific "here" or "there," so don't let urgent-sounding pronouncements pull you away from the steady, present reality of God's reign.
Jesus is warning his disciples about future deceptions, specifically concerning his return. In the context of discussions about the signs of the end times and the coming kingdom of God, he foresees a time when false leaders will claim to know the exact location of Christ or his imminent appearance. He urges his followers not to be swayed by these pronouncements, contrasting the hidden, localized claims of deceivers with the unmistakable, universal manifestation of the Son of Man, like lightning flashing across the sky.
Jesus is warning his disciples about future deceptions, specifically concerning his return. In the context of discussions about the signs of the end times and the coming kingdom of God, he foresees a time when false leaders will claim to know the exact location of Christ or his imminent appearance. He urges his followers not to be swayed by these pronouncements, contrasting the hidden, localized claims of deceivers with the unmistakable, universal manifestation of the Son of Man, like lightning flashing across the sky.
"And they will say to you, ‘Look, there!’ or ‘Look, here!’ Do not go out or follow them." — The warning isn't just about avoiding false Christs pointing to a location, but about resisting the urge to chase after any sensational claims or new spiritual "hotspots." Jesus highlights that the t…
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Last reviewed October 2026