For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus isn't just warning about future deceivers, but about those who would claim authority in his name. These individuals wouldn't just pop up out of nowhere; they would leverage Jesus' own reputation and ministry to lend credibility to their false claims of being the Messiah. This highlights the subtle danger of movements that twist Jesus' identity and teachings for their own ends, rather than faithfully proclaiming him.
For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is responding to his disciples' questions about the destruction of the temple and the signs of his coming and the end of the age. He immediately warns them to be on guard against deception, as this will be a prominent characteristic of the times leading up to these major events. This verse specifically foreshadows numerous false messiahs who will arise, claiming to be the Christ and misleading many people.
Jesus warns that people will come claiming to be 'the Christ.' What does this really mean, and how does it go beyond simple trickery?
Jesus' warning in Matthew 24:5 isn't just about individuals pretending to be him. It speaks to a deeper pattern of deception where people leverage his name and message for their own gain. These individuals didn't just say, 'I am Jesus.' They often claimed to be the promised Messiah, the one who would bring salvation and deliverance, echoing popular expectations of the time. They 'came in my name,' meaning they rested their authority and claims on Jesus' reputation and teachings, twisting them to lead people astray. This often involved promises of liberation, divine power, or immediate fulfillment of God's kingdom, appealing to people's desires and anxieties.
Why were people so susceptible to these deceivers? Jesus' warning reveals a crucial dynamic about human desire and expectation.
The disciples, along with many in their generation, were looking for a Messiah who would bring immediate political and national liberation from Roman oppression. Jesus’ prediction of false Christs tapped into this longing. These deceivers offered a seemingly tangible solution, often leading people into dangerous situations with promises of a divinely ordained escape or victory. History, as recorded by Josephus, shows many such figures who gathered followers by promising freedom and divine intervention, only to lead them to ruin. This highlights how unmet expectations and a fervent desire for change can make people vulnerable to manipulation, especially when claims are framed within a religious context.
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Jesus mentions these deceptions as a 'sign.' What does it mean for deception to be a sign, and how does it relate to the 'end'?
Jesus presents these occurrences of false Christs not as the final end itself, but as part of the 'beginnings of sorrows' (Matthew 24:8). They are indicators, not conclusions. The presence of widespread deception, where people claiming to represent Christ lead others away from truth, is a sign that the world is in a state of spiritual turmoil and that the true culmination of God's plan is still future. This warning encourages believers to maintain discernment and steadfastness, recognizing that the journey towards God's ultimate kingdom will involve periods of intense spiritual conflict and the prevalence of falsehood. The fact that deception is a sign helps believers navigate difficult times with hope, knowing these are not the final chapters but part of the unfolding narrative of God's redemptive plan.
Understand the original words
Christos · Greek Noun
The promised Messiah of Israel, the Anointed One, who fulfills the Old Testament prophecies and the office of Prophet, Priest, and King. He is the Savior sent by God to redeem humanity from sin.
Jesus' warning about false Christs wasn't just about distant future events, but a stark reality that began to unfold even within the lifetimes of his first followers, fueled by the turbulent political and religious climate of 1st-century Judea.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus' Ministry and Crucifixion
Jesus' public ministry ends with his crucifixion, leading to a period of intense expectation among his followers for the imminent establishment of God's kingdom.
c. AD 33-40
Early Messianic Pretenders
Following Jesus' death, several individuals, like Simon Magus and Theudas, claimed divine authority or a messianic role, gathering followers and causing unrest.
c. AD 44-50
Theudas' Rebellion
Theudas falsely claimed to be a prophet, persuaded a large crowd to follow him to the Jordan River, promising a miraculous parting of the waters, and was subsequently arrested and executed.
c. AD 50-60
The 'Egyptian' Prophet
A significant Egyptian false prophet led a large group of Zealots into the desert, claiming divine intervention for their liberation, but was defeated by Roman forces.
c. AD 60-70
Growing Unrest in Judea
The period leading up to the Roman-Jewish War saw increasing political instability, rebellion, and the rise of various figures claiming to be messianic deliverers.
AD 66-73
The First Jewish-Roman War
The Jewish revolt against Roman rule erupted, leading to widespread destruction, sieges, and the eventual fall of Jerusalem and the Second Temple.
This passage speaks of 'many antichrists' appearing, which directly echoes Jesus' warning about false Christs who will deceive many.
2 Thessalonians 2:3Paul warns about a 'rebellion' and the 'man of lawlessness' being revealed, connecting to the theme of deception and false claims to divine authority that Jesus foretold.
Acts 5:36This passage mentions Theudas, a historical figure who claimed to be someone important and gathered followers, serving as an example of the kind of deceivers Jesus predicted.
Jeremiah 29:8Jeremiah's prophecy against false prophets who deceive with their dreams and visions parallels Jesus' warning against those who will mislead people with false claims.
Acts 8:9The account of Simon Magus, who used sorcery and claimed to be someone of great importance, illustrates the deceptive allure of individuals who seek to be revered as divine, as Jesus predicted.
calvinMatthew 24:1-8: "And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple."
- And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple, and his disciples came to him, to point out to him the buildings of the temple. 2. And Jesus said to them, Do you not see all these things? Verily I say to you, There shall not be left one stone upon another that shall not be thrown down. 3. And while he was sitting on the mountain of Olives, the disci…
ellicottMatthew 24:5: "For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many."
(5) Many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ. —Better, the Christ. No direct fulfilments of this prediction are recorded, either in the New Testament, or by Josephus, or other historians. Bar-Cochba (the “son of the star”), who claimed to be the “Star” of the prophecy of Balaam ( Numbers 24:17 ), is often named as a fulfilment; but he did not appear till A.D. 120—nearly 50 years after the destruc…
Jesus isn't just warning about future deceivers, but about those who would claim authority in his name. These individuals wouldn't just pop up out of nowhere; they would leverage Jesus' own reputation and ministry to lend credibility to their false claims of being the Messiah. This highlights the subtle danger of movements that twist Jesus' identity and teachings for their own ends, rather than faithfully proclaiming him.
Jesus is responding to his disciples' questions about the destruction of the temple and the signs of his coming and the end of the age. He immediately warns them to be on guard against deception, as this will be a prominent characteristic of the times leading up to these major events. This verse specifically foreshadows numerous false messiahs who will arise, claiming to be the Christ and misleading many people.
Jesus is responding to his disciples' questions about the destruction of the temple and the signs of his coming and the end of the age. He immediately warns them to be on guard against deception, as this will be a prominent characteristic of the times leading up to these major events. This verse specifically foreshadows numerous false messiahs who will arise, claiming to be the Christ and misleading many people.
"For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray." — Jesus isn't just warning about future deceivers, but about those who would claim authority in his name. These individuals wouldn't just pop up out of nowhere; they would leverage Jesus' own reputat…
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Last reviewed October 2026