What does Matthew 24:11 mean?

Jesus is describing to the disciples what they should expect after He leaves (John 16:5–7) and before the end of the age (Matthew 24:3). The picture He has painted is not pretty. They will be delivered over to tribulation—to intense persecution and hardship—and put to death. They will be widely hated because of their association with Christ. Many apparent followers of Jesus will fall away in response to this persecution, and some will betray and hate those who remain faithful to Christ (Matthew 24:9–10).

In line with that same series of warnings, Jesus describes the rise of false prophets who will succeed in distracting people away from the truth about Jesus. False prophets are those who claim to speak for God, or even specifically for Christ, but who distort the truth. These liars may help bring credibility to the false messiahs Jesus described earlier in this passage. They will be convincing. Believing them will not bring the high costs associated with the name of Jesus. Those who only want to avoid hardship, and are not committed to truth, will want to believe these liars (2 Timothy 4:3).