2 Thessalonians 2:3

Let no one deceive you in any way, for it will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness—the son of destruction—is revealed.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Paul writes to the Thessalonian church, correcting a false report that the Day of the Lord has already arrived (2:2).

The words — ἐξαπατῆσαι (exapatēsē), aorist passive subjunctive of ἐξαπατάω, carries the prefix ἐξ- and denotes complete delusion rather than mere error.

The thread — The same warning appears in Matthew 24:4 and Ephesians 5:6; 1 John 2:18 extends the figure to "many antichrists" already present.

Why it lands — The verse hands the reader a two-part checklist: rebellion and the revelation of the man of lawlessness must both occur before the Day comes, so any claim otherwise is false by definition.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

Cross-references

Matthew 24:4 Jesus answered, “See to it that no one deceives you.
1 John 2:18 Children, it is the last hour; and just as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have appeared. This is how we know it is the last hour.
Ephesians 5:6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience.
1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons,
2 Thessalonians 2:8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will slay with the breath of His mouth and annihilate by the majesty of His arrival.
Daniel 7:25 He will speak out against the Most High and oppress the saints of the Most High, intending to change the appointed times and laws; and the saints will be given into his hand for a time, and times, and half a time.
Daniel 8:25 Through his craft and by his hand, he will cause deceit to prosper, and in his own mind he will make himself great. In a time of peace he will destroy many, and he will even stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be broken off, but not by human hands.
2 Timothy 3:1 But understand this: In the last days terrible times will come.
2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires.
John 17:12 While I was with them, I protected and preserved them by Your name, the name You gave Me. Not one of them has been lost, except the son of destruction, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.