And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's easy to miss here is that "false prophets" aren't just about predicting the future incorrectly; they are primarily those who claim to speak for God but teach things that lead people away from the truth. This warning anticipates not just the historical figures in Judea, but also those throughout history, including today, who twist God's message to lead others astray with their own agendas.
And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is answering his disciples' questions about the signs of the end times and the destruction of the temple, warning them not to be deceived. Following His warnings about deception and the coming tribulations, He foretells that many would claim to be prophets, leading many astray with false messages and promises. This would be part of a larger trend of increasing lawlessness and cooling love as the end drew nearer.
Jesus warned His followers about a danger that would plague the church throughout history. It's not just about dramatic events, but about insidious voices seeking to mislead.
Jesus explicitly states, 'many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.' This isn't a minor issue; it's a significant sign of the times. The original context points to a period of intense turmoil, like the years leading up to Jerusalem's destruction, where fanatics and impostors claimed divine messages to manipulate people. But the warning extends beyond that specific historical moment.
A Continuing Reality
Throughout the New Testament, there are repeated warnings about these deceptive figures. John speaks of 'many false prophets' and 'antichrists,' Peter warns of 'false teachers,' and Paul cautions against 'seducing spirits.' These weren't just occasional occurrences; they were a persistent threat.
These individuals don't always announce themselves as evil. Often, they present themselves as having a message from God, much like the false prophets in ancient Israel. They can be incredibly crafty, drawing followers and even forming 'sects' around their teachings. The sheer number of people being led astray is alarming, described as a 'violent tempest' that can pull even those on the right path off course if they aren't firmly anchored.
What is the ultimate aim of these false prophets? It's not just about spreading different ideas, but about actively causing people to fall away from truth.
The verse clearly states their purpose: 'to lead many astray.' This isn't a passive phenomenon; it's an active, intentional effort to pull people away from sound doctrine and a genuine relationship with God.
Ask a follow-up
The 'Astray' Explained
Being 'led astray' means being diverted from the correct path, misled into error, or seduced into a wrong belief or practice. These false teachers create confusion, sow doubt, and offer counterfeit spiritual experiences. They might offer false hopes of deliverance, as seen historically with those who misled the people of Jerusalem, or they might corrupt core doctrines, leading people away from the saving power of Christ.
Their methods can be subtle, often involving twisting scripture, appealing to human desires, or even masquerading as legitimate spiritual leaders. The consequence is a departure from the truth, often resulting in spiritual ruin for those who follow them.
Understand the original words
pseudoprophētai · Greek Noun
Men who falsely claim to speak under the inspiration or authority of God, often leading the people of God away from the truth.
planaō · Greek Verb
To cause to wander from the path, to deceive, or to seduce into error or sin.
Jesus' warning in Matthew 24 wasn't just about future apocalyptic events but also about the immediate turmoil surrounding Jerusalem's destruction, where false prophets actively misled people with false hopes and dangerous claims.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus' Ministry and Teachings
Jesus delivers the Olivet Discourse, warning his disciples about future signs, including false prophets, and the impending destruction of Jerusalem.
AD 44
Theudas' Rebellion
A charismatic figure named Theudas claims to be a prophet, gathers followers, and promises to divide the Jordan River. He is eventually captured and executed.
c. AD 50s-60s
Spread of False Teachings
The apostle John and Paul warn about the rise of false prophets and teachers within and outside the early church, causing division and deception.
c. AD 60-62
Egyptian False Prophet
An Egyptian Jew leads a large band of assassins and impostors to the Mount of Olives, claiming he will cause the city walls to collapse, but he is defeated.
AD 66-70
Siege and Destruction of Jerusalem
During the First Jewish-Roman War, numerous fanatics and false prophets emerge, inciting rebellion and promising divine intervention, contributing to the widespread deception and suffering.
This passage warns believers to test the spirits, acknowledging that many false prophets have already gone out into the world, directly echoing Jesus' warning in Matthew 24:11.
2 Peter 2:1Peter speaks of false teachers who will secretly bring in destructive heresies and deny the Lord, paralleling the deceptive nature and widespread impact of the false prophets Jesus described.
Jeremiah 14:14In the Old Testament, Jeremiah decried prophets who prophesied lies in God's name, revealing that the problem of false prophecy and its deceptive consequences is a long-standing issue throughout biblical history.
Matthew 7:15Jesus' earlier warning about false prophets coming in sheep's clothing but inwardly being ravenous wolves highlights the danger they pose and the need for discernment, which is amplified in the context of Matthew 24.
2 Timothy 3:13Paul's letter to Timothy describes how wicked people and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived, reinforcing the pervasive nature of deception that Jesus foretold would increase as the end approaches.
barnesMatthew 24:11: "And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many."
And many false prophets - Many men pretending to be prophets or foretellers of future events. This refers not to the false "Messiahs" of which he had spoken Matthew 24:5 , but to prophets who should appear during the siege of the city. Of them Josephus says: "The tyrannical zealots who ruled the city suborned "many false prophets" to declare that aid would be given to the people from heaven. This was done to prevent th…
calvinMatthew 24:9-14: "Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake."
- Then will they deliver you up to be afflicted, and will kill you; and you will be hated by all nations on account of my name. 10. And then will many be offended, and will deliver up one another, and will hate one another. 11. And many false prophets will arise, and will deceive many. 12. And because iniquity will abound, the love of many will be cool…
What's easy to miss here is that "false prophets" aren't just about predicting the future incorrectly; they are primarily those who claim to speak for God but teach things that lead people away from the truth. This warning anticipates not just the historical figures in Judea, but also those throughout history, including today, who twist God's message to lead others astray with their own agendas.
Jesus is answering his disciples' questions about the signs of the end times and the destruction of the temple, warning them not to be deceived. Following His warnings about deception and the coming tribulations, He foretells that many would claim to be prophets, leading many astray with false messages and promises. This would be part of a larger trend of increasing lawlessness and cooling love as the end drew nearer.
Jesus is answering his disciples' questions about the signs of the end times and the destruction of the temple, warning them not to be deceived. Following His warnings about deception and the coming tribulations, He foretells that many would claim to be prophets, leading many astray with false messages and promises. This would be part of a larger trend of increasing lawlessness and cooling love as the end drew nearer.
"And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray." — What's easy to miss here is that "false prophets" aren't just about predicting the future incorrectly; they are primarily those who claim to speak for God but teach things that lead people away from…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026