Matthew 24:24-25
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The phrase "if possible" is crucial here, indicating that while these deceivers will perform astonishing miracles and make every effort, their ultimate success in misleading the truly elect (those genuinely devoted to Christ) is actually impossible due to God's protective power. This emphasizes that genuine faith, while tested, is ultimately secure.
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is answering his disciples' questions about the signs of the end times and his coming. He's describing a period of intense tribulation, deception, and turmoil that will precede his return, warning them specifically about false prophets and claimants to messianic authority. This warning about being misled by impressive "signs and wonders" directly follows his instruction not to believe anyone claiming Christ has appeared in remote places or hidden chambers.
Imagine witnessing something that defies all natural explanation. This verse warns that such incredible displays won't always point to God.
Jesus warns his followers about false Christs and false prophets who will perform great signs and wonders. These aren't just clever tricks; they are supernatural manifestations intended to deceive.
Miracles as a Tool of Deception
The original Greek words used for 'signs and wonders' (semeia and terata) describe powerful, awe-inspiring events that grab attention and cause amazement. Historically, these kinds of displays have been used to authenticate claims, both true and false.
When wielded by deceivers, these supernatural occurrences are designed to bypass our reason and appeal directly to our sense of awe, making their false claims seem divinely sanctioned. The danger is so profound that Jesus says they aim to deceive even the elect.
Jesus states that false prophets will try to deceive 'even the elect'. Does this mean believers can be lost?
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The phrase 'if it were possible' is crucial here. It doesn't suggest that the elect can be ultimately lost, but rather emphasizes the extreme deceptive power of these false prophets and the intensity of the test.
God's Safeguard for His Own
While the elect (those chosen by God) will face intense trials and may even be momentarily perplexed or led astray in their understanding, they will not be permanently deceived or lost.
The warning is not that believers will be deceived, but that the attempt will be so potent that it would succeed, if not for God's protective grace and the believer's grounded faith.
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 performing signs and wonders in Matthew 24:24 speaks directly to the intense period of upheaval surrounding the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. This event was marked by numerous false messianic figures and uprisings that tragically misled many Jews, just as Jesus foretold.
c. 4 BC - AD 30/33— this verse
Jesus' Ministry and Crucifixion
Jesus' teachings and miracles occurred during a time of Roman occupation and Jewish messianic expectation, setting the stage for his followers to understand signs of the end times.
c. AD 33
The Stoning of Stephen and Early Persecution
The martyrdom of Stephen and subsequent persecution scattered believers, highlighting the challenges and dangers faced by the early Christian community.
c. AD 44-49
Famine in Judea
A widespread famine in Judea caused significant hardship and unrest, aligning with Jesus' warnings of 'famines and earthquakes' as signs of the times.
c. AD 60s
Jewish-Roman Unrest Grows
Rising tensions and sporadic violence between Jewish factions and Roman authorities created an atmosphere of instability and anticipation of major upheaval.
AD 66-70
First Jewish-Roman War and Siege of Jerusalem
The brutal war culminated in the destruction of Jerusalem and its temple, a cataclysmic event that fulfilled Jesus' prophecies and marked a turning point for both Judaism and Christianity.
This passage describes the coming of the 'lawless one' who will perform signs and wonders to deceive those who are perishing, mirroring the deceptive power of false prophets mentioned in Matthew 24:24.
1 John 4:1This verse warns believers not to believe every spirit, but to test them, directly addressing the need to discern true prophecy from false, as highlighted by Jesus' warning in Matthew 24:24.
Deuteronomy 13:1-3This Old Testament passage describes a similar scenario where a prophet or dreamer performs signs and wonders to lead people astray, showing that this warning against deceptive signs has ancient roots.
Acts 8:9-11The sorcerer Simon Magus is described as performing 'magic' and astonishing the crowds, serving as a historical example of the deceptive 'signs and wonders' that Jesus foretold.
Matthew 7:22-23Jesus directly addresses people who performed miracles in his name but were ultimately rejected, underscoring that impressive spiritual phenomena (signs and wonders) are not always a guarantee of true allegiance or divine approval.
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 possible" is crucial here, indicating that while these deceivers will perform astonishing miracles and make every effort, their ultimate success in misleading the truly elect (those genuinely devoted to Christ) is actually impossible due to God's protective power. This emphasizes that genuine faith, while tested, is ultimately secure.
Jesus is answering his disciples' questions about the signs of the end times and his coming. He's describing a period of intense tribulation, deception, and turmoil that will precede his return, warning them specifically about false prophets and claimants to messianic authority. This warning about being misled by impressive "signs and wonders" directly follows his instruction not to believe anyone claiming Christ has appeared in remote places or hidden chambers.
Jesus is answering his disciples' questions about the signs of the end times and his coming. He's describing a period of intense tribulation, deception, and turmoil that will precede his return, warning them specifically about false prophets and claimants to messianic authority. This warning about being misled by impressive "signs and wonders" directly follows his instruction not to believe anyone claiming Christ has appeared in remote places or hidden chambers.
"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." — The phrase "if possible" is crucial here, indicating that while these deceivers will perform astonishing miracles and make every effort, their ultimate success in misleading the truly elect (those ge…
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Last reviewed October 2026
