For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "if it were possible" is not a statement of doubt, but rather a way to emphasize the incredible power and deceptive nature of these false prophets, highlighting how close they come to deceiving even those who are truly God's chosen. Their signs and wonders are so convincing that they represent the ultimate test, pushing the boundaries of what is seemingly possible to mislead the faithful.
For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is warning his disciples about the future, moving from the destruction of the temple to the signs that would precede his final return. He instructs them to be vigilant against deception, emphasizing that false prophets and messiahs will perform impressive feats to mislead people. This warning comes amidst a discourse about tribulation and the signs of the end times.
What if the most astonishing 'miracles' you ever saw were actually designed to lead you astray? Jesus warns that signs and wonders aren't always from God.
Jesus doesn't shy away from the reality of supernatural deception. He warns that false Christs and prophets will perform "great signs and wonders" (σημεῖα καὶ τέρατα). These aren't just illusions; they are powerful, astonishing manifestations that seem undeniably supernatural. The ancient commentators point out that these terms, "signs" and "wonders," describe these events from different perspectives: "signs" point to the divine power behind them, while "wonders" highlight the amazement they evoke. The danger is that these displays are deliberately used to authenticate falsehoods, drawing people away from the truth. Think of it as a spiritual camouflage—powerful enough to mimic the genuine, making it incredibly difficult to discern the difference.
Jesus says even the 'elect' could be deceived, 'if it were possible.' What does this mean for those God has chosen?
This is a profound and comforting statement. Jesus says these powerful deceptions aim to mislead, "if it were possible, even the elect." The original language and commentary suggest this isn't about the absolute possibility of the elect being finally lost, but about the extreme difficulty and the utmost effort of the deceivers. The elect, those chosen by God, are ultimately secured. Their salvation doesn't depend on their own perfect discernment but on God's faithfulness and power. Commentators like Barnes and Wesley emphasize that while believers might be perplexed or even temporarily led astray in their understanding, they cannot be deceived and seduced from Christ. God's preservation of His own is a core theme, ensuring that those given to Him will not be permanently lost.
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Understand the original words
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.
Jesus' warning about false Christs and prophets, given in the context of the fall of Jerusalem, speaks to both that immediate historical crisis and to ongoing spiritual dangers throughout church history.
c. 4 BC - AD 30/33— this verse
Life and Ministry of Jesus
Jesus delivers the Olivet Discourse, predicting future events including the destruction of Jerusalem and his second coming.
c. 44 BC
Reign of Herod Agrippa I
Herod Agrippa I, a Jewish king in Judea, persecuted the early church, executing James and imprisoning Peter, as recorded in Acts.
c. 50-60 AD
Paul's Missionary Journeys
The Apostle Paul travels widely, establishing churches and confronting false teachers and various forms of opposition throughout the Roman Empire.
c. 62-67 AD
The Book of Revelation Written
Traditionally attributed to the Apostle John, this book contains visions and prophecies that also speak to ongoing spiritual warfare and deception.
AD 66-70
First Jewish-Roman War
A massive rebellion by the Jews against Roman rule culminates in the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, a major fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy.
c. 90-100 AD
The Gospel of Matthew Compiled
The Gospel of Matthew, containing Jesus' Olivet Discourse, is finalized and circulated among early Christian communities.
This passage describes the coming of the 'lawless one' who will perform signs and wonders with deceptive power, mirroring the great signs and wonders of the false prophets in Matthew 24:24.
Deuteronomy 13:1-5This Old Testament passage warns against prophets who perform signs and wonders but lead people to worship other gods, highlighting the ancient concern about deceptive spiritual power.
1 John 4:1John's instruction to 'test the spirits' directly addresses the challenge posed by false prophets in Matthew 24:24, urging believers to discern truth from deception.
Mark 13:22This parallel passage in Mark echoes Matthew's warning about false Christs and prophets performing signs and wonders, reinforcing the seriousness of this future deception.
vincentMatthew 24:24: "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect."
Signs and wonders (σημεῖα καὶ τέρατα)See on Matthew 11:20. The two words often joined in the New Testament. See John 4:48; Acts 2:22; Acts 4:30; 2 Corinthians 12:12. The words do not denote different classes of supernatural manifestations, but these manifestations regarded from different points of view. The sa…
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…
The phrase "if it were possible" is not a statement of doubt, but rather a way to emphasize the incredible power and deceptive nature of these false prophets, highlighting how close they come to deceiving even those who are truly God's chosen. Their signs and wonders are so convincing that they represent the ultimate test, pushing the boundaries of what is seemingly possible to mislead the faithful.
Jesus is warning his disciples about the future, moving from the destruction of the temple to the signs that would precede his final return. He instructs them to be vigilant against deception, emphasizing that false prophets and messiahs will perform impressive feats to mislead people. This warning comes amidst a discourse about tribulation and the signs of the end times.
Jesus is warning his disciples about the future, moving from the destruction of the temple to the signs that would precede his final return. He instructs them to be vigilant against deception, emphasizing that false prophets and messiahs will perform impressive feats to mislead people. This warning comes amidst a discourse about tribulation and the signs of the end times.
"For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect." — The phrase "if it were possible" is not a statement of doubt, but rather a way to emphasize the incredible power and deceptive nature of these false prophets, highlighting how close they come to dece…
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Last reviewed October 2026