Bible Strands
Mark 13:22
For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive even the elect, if that were possible.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses his disciples during the Olivet Discourse, warning them about the period preceding his return. He frames this warning immediately after instructing them not to believe claims of the Messiah’s localized presence.
The words — The Greek ἐγερθήσονται (egerthēsetai) literally means “there will arise,” and σημεῖα (sēmeia) translates directly to “signs.” Together they establish that deceptive figures will emerge and produce supernatural phenomena.
The thread — This warning parallels Matthew 24:24, which repeats the deception of the elect through false signs. It also connects to Mark 13:6 regarding false messianic claims and 2 Thessalonians 2:8 regarding the destruction of the lawless one by Christ’s breath.
Why it lands — The text demands sober vigilance rather than sensationalism, noting that even miraculous events are designed to mislead. It requires readers to anchor their discernment in Christ’s prior teaching rather than in observable phenomena.
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
For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
Cross-references
- Matthew 24:24 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive even the elect, if that were possible.
- 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.
- Mark 13:6 Many will come in My name, claiming, ‘I am He,’ and will deceive many.
- Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
- 1 John 2:26 I have written these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you.
- John 10:27 My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.
- John 4:48 Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will never believe.”
- 1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they did not belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But their departure made it clear that none of them belonged to us.
- Revelation 13:13 And the second beast performed great signs, even causing fire from heaven to come down to earth in the presence of the people.
- Revelation 17:8 The beast that you saw—it was, and now is no more, but is about to come up out of the Abyss and go to its destruction. And those who dwell on the earth whose names were not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world will marvel when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet will be.