Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus isn't just warning against deceivers, but highlighting a crucial distinction: the way Christ's coming will be known. Unlike false Christs who will claim to be hidden away in secret places, His actual return will be as obvious and unmistakable as lightning.
Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it.
English Standard Version (ESV)
As Jesus’ disciples look towards the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, Jesus warns them about the intense suffering and deception that will accompany these events. He foretells that during this period of chaos, many false prophets and impostors will arise, claiming to be the Messiah and performing deceptive signs. Jesus instructs his followers not to believe them, but to instead remain vigilant and focus on the true signs of His coming, which will be unmistakable.
When everything is falling apart, and people are desperate for hope, false saviors often emerge. How can you tell the difference between a true message and a dangerous deception?
Jesus knew that His followers would face times of intense crisis, specifically around the destruction of Jerusalem. During such periods, the desire for a deliverer is high, making people vulnerable to those who falsely claim to be the Messiah.
If false Christs will appear with impressive displays, how will the real Christ’s return be known?
Jesus contrasts the deceptive appearances of false messiahs with the unmistakable, universally recognizable nature of His true return. The signs of the false Christs are localized and secretive, but the coming of the Son of Man is anything but.
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Understand the original words
Christos · Greek Noun
The Anointed One of God, the promised Messiah of the Old Testament, who is the Savior and King of God's people.
Jesus' warning against believing false Christs was particularly relevant during the turbulent period leading up to and during the First Jewish-Roman War, when many eagerly sought a messianic deliverer from Roman oppression.
c. 4 BC
Herod the Great Dies
The death of Herod the Great led to a power vacuum and unrest in Judea, fueling messianic expectations among the Jewish population.
AD 6-41
Roman Prefecture of Judea
Judea was under direct Roman rule, creating a sense of oppression and increasing the desire for a national deliverer.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
Jesus is crucified, and his followers proclaim his resurrection, initiating the Christian movement and setting the stage for the disciples' future understanding of Christ's return.
c. AD 40s-50s— this verse
Emergence of False Messiahs
Numerous individuals began claiming to be the Messiah or prophets, arising during a period of significant social and political turmoil in Judea.
AD 66-70
First Jewish-Roman War and Siege of Jerusalem
The Jewish revolt against Rome escalated into a devastating war, culminating in the destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple, fulfilling Jesus' prophecies.
This passage directly parallels Jesus' warning, telling the disciples not to follow those who claim to know where the Son of Man is, emphasizing that His coming will be unmistakable.
2 Thessalonians 2:3This verse warns against being deceived by those who claim Christ has already returned, highlighting the reality of deception surrounding Christ's coming that would require discernment from believers.
2 Timothy 3:13This passage speaks to the escalating deception by evil people and impostors who grow worse and worse, reinforcing Jesus' warning about false Christs and prophets who would arise.
Deuteronomy 13:1-3This Old Testament passage establishes the principle of not believing prophets or dreamers who perform signs and wonders but lead people away from God, providing a foundational warning against deceptive spiritual claims.
Mark 13:21Mark's parallel account emphasizes that if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'Look, there he is!' do not believe it, directly echoing Jesus' caution in Matthew.
bensonMatthew 24:23: "Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not."
Matthew 24:23-26 . If any man say, Lo, here is Christ, or there — During the terrible calamities here foretold, the expectations of the nation were all turned toward their Messiah; for they thought if ever he was to appear, it would be then, to deliver them from the impending destruction. Hence many arose, pretending to be the Messiah, and boasting that they would deliver the nation; the effect of…
calvinMatthew 24:15-28: "When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)"
- 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 carry anything out of his house; 18. And let not…
Jesus isn't just warning against deceivers, but highlighting a crucial distinction: the way Christ's coming will be known. Unlike false Christs who will claim to be hidden away in secret places, His actual return will be as obvious and unmistakable as lightning.
As Jesus’ disciples look towards the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, Jesus warns them about the intense suffering and deception that will accompany these events. He foretells that during this period of chaos, many false prophets and impostors will arise, claiming to be the Messiah and performing deceptive signs. Jesus instructs his followers not to believe them, but to instead remain vigilant and focus on the true signs of His coming, which will be unmistakable.
As Jesus’ disciples look towards the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, Jesus warns them about the intense suffering and deception that will accompany these events. He foretells that during this period of chaos, many false prophets and impostors will arise, claiming to be the Messiah and performing deceptive signs. Jesus instructs his followers not to believe them, but to instead remain vigilant and focus on the true signs of His coming, which will be unmistakable.
"Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it." — Jesus isn't just warning against deceivers, but highlighting a crucial distinction: the way Christ's coming will be known. Unlike false Christs who will claim to be hidden away in secret places, Hi…
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Last reviewed October 2026