Mark 13:21
And then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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During the intense tribulation preceding Jerusalem's destruction, and even as the end times approach, Jesus warns against those who will falsely claim to be the Messiah. This isn't just about preventing belief in charlatans, but about recognizing that the true return of Christ will be unmistakable and universally apparent, not hidden in secret locations.
Jesus is speaking to his disciples about future events, specifically the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, and also about signs leading up to his final return. He warns them to be vigilant and discerning, as there will be intense suffering, false prophets, and deceptive figures claiming to be the Messiah. This warning about not believing those who cry "Christ is here!" comes directly after Jesus describes the immense tribulation and the need for the days to be shortened for the sake of the elect.
When Jesus describes the 'abomination of desolation' and the intense tribulation that follows, He's not just talking about a historical event. He's setting the stage for a time when clear thinking is harder than ever.
Jesus is speaking about a period of unprecedented crisis, a 'great tribulation' unlike any seen before or since. This isn't just a description of the destruction of Jerusalem; it speaks to the intensity of the spiritual battle that will characterize the end times.
A Time of Intense Pressure
During such times, people will be desperate for answers and solutions. This desperation makes them vulnerable to false claims. The pressure to find a savior, a deliverer, or a quick fix will be immense, pushing people to seek any apparent sign of hope.
The Danger of False Saviors
Because the situation will be so dire, false prophets and false Christs will emerge, offering seemingly miraculous solutions. They will prey on this desperation, presenting themselves as the answer. Jesus warns His followers not to be swayed by these claims, no matter how convincing they might seem.
If deception is so rampant, how can we possibly know who to follow? Jesus gives us a clue: His true coming will be radically different from any false claim.
Jesus contrasts the secretiveness and localized claims of false Christs with the undeniable, universal nature of His own return.
No Secret Hideouts
False Christs will point people to specific locations – 'here!' or 'there!', perhaps in the desert or a hidden room. They thrive on rumor and limited sightings. This is their strategy: to gather followers to themselves in secluded places, often with a rebellious agenda.
A Public, Blinding Arrival
Jesus' return, however, is compared to lightning. It's instantaneous, visible to all, and spans the entire horizon. It's not a localized event but a global, undeniable manifestation of His glory. The true Christ doesn't need to be pointed out in a secret location; His arrival is self-evident and spectacular.
Understand the original words
Christos · Greek Noun
The anointed one of God; the Messiah promised in the Old Testament, who would save His people and reign as King. In this context, the term refers to the true Jesus Christ whom impostors seek to mimic.
c. 167-164 BC
Antiochus IV Epiphanes' Profanation of the Temple
The Seleucid king Antiochus IV Epiphanes desecrated the Jerusalem Temple, installing a pagan altar and sacrificing pigs, an event referred to as the 'abomination of desolation' by Daniel and alluded to by Jesus.
c. 63 BC
Roman Conquest of Judea
Rome conquered Judea, initiating a period of Roman rule that fueled Jewish hopes for a political and military Messiah to restore their independence.
c. AD 44-66
Rise of Jewish Impostors
During this turbulent period preceding Jerusalem's fall, numerous figures arose claiming to be the Messiah or prophets, leading masses into the wilderness with promises of divine deliverance.
c. AD 66
Jewish Revolt Begins
The First Jewish-Roman War erupted, a massive rebellion against Roman rule that would culminate in the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple.
c. AD 70— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
This passage directly parallels Jesus' warning against following those who claim Christ has appeared, emphasizing that His coming will be unmistakable and universally evident, like lightning.
Matthew 24:24This verse explains *why* one shouldn't believe such claims, highlighting the rise of false Christs and prophets who will perform impressive signs and wonders to deceive even the elect.
2 Thessalonians 2:9-11This passage describes the powerful deception that will accompany the 'lawless one,' involving signs and wonders that lead people to believe falsehoods, echoing the warning in Mark about false Christs.
1 John 4:1This verse provides a vital test for discerning truth from falsehood, urging believers not to trust every spirit but to test whether they come from God, a crucial principle when faced with deceptive claims about Christ.
calvinMark 13:14-23: "But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:"
- When therefore you shall see the abomination of desolation, which is described by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place, (let him that readeth understand,) 16. Then let them who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17. Let not him who is on the housetop go down to…
wesleyMark 13:21: "And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not:"
13:21 Mt 24:23.
During the intense tribulation preceding Jerusalem's destruction, and even as the end times approach, Jesus warns against those who will falsely claim to be the Messiah. This isn't just about preventing belief in charlatans, but about recognizing that the true return of Christ will be unmistakable and universally apparent, not hidden in secret locations.
Jesus is speaking to his disciples about future events, specifically the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, and also about signs leading up to his final return. He warns them to be vigilant and discerning, as there will be intense suffering, false prophets, and deceptive figures claiming to be the Messiah. This warning about not believing those who cry "Christ is here!" comes directly after Jesus describes the immense tribulation and the need for the days to be shortened for the sake of the elect.
Jesus is speaking to his disciples about future events, specifically the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, and also about signs leading up to his final return. He warns them to be vigilant and discerning, as there will be intense suffering, false prophets, and deceptive figures claiming to be the Messiah. This warning about not believing those who cry "Christ is here!" comes directly after Jesus describes the immense tribulation and the need for the days to be shortened for the sake of the elect.
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Roman legions under Titus besieged and destroyed Jerusalem, razing the Temple and ending Jewish political autonomy. This event fulfills Jesus' prophecy of unparalleled tribulation.
"And then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it." — During the intense tribulation preceding Jerusalem's destruction, and even as the end times approach, Jesus warns against those who will falsely claim to be the Messiah. This isn't just about prevent…
