Matthew 24:23-26
Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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During times of intense crisis, Jesus warns us to be wary of claims about Christ's immediate return, especially those pointing to specific locations. This isn't just about being cautious of deceivers, but about recognizing that when Christ does return, it will be unmistakable and globally apparent, like lightning.
As Jesus describes the escalating turmoil leading to the destruction of Jerusalem, he warns his followers to be wary of deceptive claims about his return. During the intense suffering and chaos surrounding the siege, many false prophets and self-proclaimed messiahs will arise, promising imminent deliverance and performing signs to gain followers. Jesus instructs his disciples not to be swayed by these impostors, emphasizing that his true coming will be unmistakable and universal, not confined to secret locations or localized pronouncements.
Ever feel like there's a lot of spiritual noise out there, with people claiming to have all the answers?
Jesus warns His followers in Matthew 24:23, 'Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it.' This isn't just a one-off warning; it echoes earlier cautions He gave (Matthew 24:5, 24). The context here is the intense tribulation surrounding the destruction of Jerusalem, a time when people were desperately looking for a deliverer.
History confirms Jesus' words. Around the time of Jerusalem's fall, many impostors arose, claiming to be the Messiah and promising relief. Josephus, a historian of that era, documents these figures who led people into the desert with false hopes of miraculous signs. This wasn't just a historical footnote; it was a dangerous reality that tragically impacted many.
What's striking is that even in the face of overwhelming destruction, people were still susceptible to these deceptive claims. This highlights a deep human tendency to grasp at any hope, especially when in distress, even if it leads us away from the truth.
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If Jesus warned us not to believe claims about where He is, how will we know when He truly returns?
Jesus contrasts the deceptive claims of false Christs with the unmistakable nature of His own return. He states in Matthew 24:27, 'For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.'
This imagery is powerful. Lightning is sudden, visible to all, and universally recognized. It doesn't hide in the desert or a secret room; its arrival is undeniable.
Commentators note that this means the true coming of Christ will be public and evident, not something whispered in secret or found in hidden places. Unlike the impostors who lured followers to remote locations or secret chambers (as mentioned in Matthew 24:26), Jesus' return will be a global, visible event. There will be no doubt, no need to chase rumors. His presence will be as obvious and widespread as lightning illuminating the entire sky.
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.
pseudochristos · Greek Noun
Individuals who falsely claim to be the Messiah or are presented as such by others to deceive people away from the true Jesus Christ.
pseudoprophetes · Greek Noun
Religious teachers or messengers who falsely claim divine authority or inspiration and lead people into error or away from the truth of God's Word.
semeion · Greek Noun
Remarkable, supernatural events or miracles intended to confirm a message or messenger, though they can be used by deceitful agents to gain influence.
teras · Greek Noun
Extraordinary or astounding events that provoke awe and wonder, often used in Scripture to describe phenomena used by deceivers to validate their false claims.
planao · Greek Verb
To cause someone to wander away from the truth, the right path, or God's will; often involving deception and seduction into error or sin.
erēmos · Greek Noun
A remote or desolate region; in scripture, it often represents a place of testing, refuge, or divine encounter, though here it signifies a site of deceptive claims.
Jesus' warning about false Christs and prophets directly addressed the tumultuous atmosphere in Judea during the first century. The intense Messianic expectations, fueled by Roman oppression and the ensuing war, led many to fall prey to deceivers. His followers were cautioned to rely on the established truth of His mission rather than be swayed by sensational claims or signs.
c. 4 BC
Herod the Great Dies
The death of Herod the Great, a powerful Idumean king who ruled Judea, led to a period of instability and succession disputes. This created a volatile political climate in Judea.
c. AD 6
Judea Becomes a Roman Province
Following the deposition of Herod Archelaus, Judea was incorporated directly into the Roman Empire under the administration of a prefect or procurator. This increased Roman presence and authority, leading to tensions.
c. AD 30-33
Crucifixion of Jesus
Jesus, who was proclaimed by some as the Messiah, was crucified by Roman authorities. This event is central to Christian belief and the expectation of his future return.
c. AD 40s - 60s— this verse
Rise of False Christs and Prophets
During this period of unrest and Messianic expectation, numerous individuals emerged claiming to be the Christ or prophets, promising deliverance to the Jewish people.
AD 66 - 73
First Jewish-Roman War
This major revolt against Roman rule culminated in the destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple. The war was marked by widespread upheaval, false messianic movements, and intense suffering.
c. AD 70
Destruction of Jerusalem
The Roman army under Titus besieged and destroyed Jerusalem, a catastrophic event for the Jewish people that fulfilled Jesus' prophecy.
This passage directly parallels Jesus' warning about false Christs, stating 'Lo, here!' or 'Lo, there!' and instructing his disciples not to follow such claims.
2 Thessalonians 2:3This verse speaks of a 'rebellion' and the 'man of lawlessness' who will deceive many, highlighting the theme of deception by false spiritual leaders that is central to Jesus' warning.
1 John 4:1This passage advises believers to 'test the spirits to see whether they are from God,' providing a framework for discernment against the deceptive claims mentioned in Matthew 24:23.
Mark 13:21Mark's account of the same prophecy emphasizes that 'false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, even the elect,' underscoring the deceptive power Jesus warned against.
Deuteronomy 13:1-3This Old Testament passage predates Jesus' warning, describing how even if a prophet or dreamer performs signs and wonders and says 'Let us go after other gods,' they should not be believed, setting a precedent for discerning truth from deception.
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…
During times of intense crisis, Jesus warns us to be wary of claims about Christ's immediate return, especially those pointing to specific locations. This isn't just about being cautious of deceivers, but about recognizing that when Christ does return, it will be unmistakable and globally apparent, like lightning.
As Jesus describes the escalating turmoil leading to the destruction of Jerusalem, he warns his followers to be wary of deceptive claims about his return. During the intense suffering and chaos surrounding the siege, many false prophets and self-proclaimed messiahs will arise, promising imminent deliverance and performing signs to gain followers. Jesus instructs his disciples not to be swayed by these impostors, emphasizing that his true coming will be unmistakable and universal, not confined to secret locations or localized pronouncements.
As Jesus describes the escalating turmoil leading to the destruction of Jerusalem, he warns his followers to be wary of deceptive claims about his return. During the intense suffering and chaos surrounding the siege, many false prophets and self-proclaimed messiahs will arise, promising imminent deliverance and performing signs to gain followers. Jesus instructs his disciples not to be swayed by these impostors, emphasizing that his true coming will be unmistakable and universal, not confined to secret locations or localized pronouncements.
"Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. See, I hav…" — During times of intense crisis, Jesus warns us to be wary of claims about Christ's immediate return, especially those pointing to specific locations. This isn't just about being cautious of deceivers…
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