Matthew 24:24 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

NIV: For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.

NASB: For false christs and false prophets will arise and will provide great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.

CSB: For false messiahs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

NLT: For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.

In the future, after Jesus has gone (John 16:5–7), liars claiming to be the Messiah will arise, and so will deceptive people pretending to be prophets of God. The specific context of this warning is the end times—the days on earth just prior to Christ's triumphant second coming (Revelation 19:11–15). During that time, the ability of these frauds will be enhanced through their ability to perform great signs and wonders. They will hope to deceive even those chosen by God who believe that Jesus is the Christ. Jesus adds "if possible," since the true elect cannot possibly be lost by God. However, they may be diverted for a time.

This verse raises several questions. Why would anyone do this? Why would someone pretend to represent God as Christ or as a prophet if they were not so? Motives could range from simple grabs for money and power to being used and manipulated by the enemies of the true Christ to draw believers away from Him.

Scholars debate whether these frauds are performing true supernatural acts, or merely fooling others. Scam artists have been able to produce convincing "tricks" to deceive people into thinking they possessed true power. Those are limited, however—sleight of hand cannot simulate a man coming back from death (John 11:43–44) or the instant healing of disease (Luke 13:13; John 5:9). However, Satan and demonic forces possess the ability to perform supernatural acts, even in the guise of their human hosts. It's possible some of these false saviors and prophets will do things which ordinary humans cannot do. Ultimately, though, these are still works of deception, not demonstrations of the true power of the living God.

Matthew 24:15–28 begins with a warning to all in Jerusalem to flee to the mountains when the abomination that will bring desolation to the temple stands in the holy place. This will be a terrible time, especially for those who are particularly vulnerable. That tribulation will be worse than anything ever, though another tribulation will come right before Jesus' return. It will be cut short to save some of humanity and for the sake of the elect, all those who truly believe in Christ. When He returns, everyone will know.

Jesus makes a dire prediction about the destruction of the temple. Immediately after this, while seated on the Mount of Olives, Jesus responds to a question from the disciples. They ask when judgment will come and what signs will signal His return. Christ describes a season of unimaginable world turmoil and persecution. He points to a specific moment of defilement of the temple, at which point people should run for their lives. Jesus speaks of world-threatening tribulation which will be cut short right before He returns as King and Judge. Since nobody can possibly know when He will return, His followers must live in readiness.

Jesus has just left the temple area, after delivering a blistering criticism of the scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 23). After predicting that the temple would be destroyed, He answers their questions about the end times. He speaks of a period when He will be gone from earth and they will be persecuted and killed. The world will be in turmoil, but the gospel will be preached everywhere. Nobody knows exactly when Jesus' return will be completed, so his followers should constantly be prepared. Jesus continues to teach on these themes in the next chapter.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.