Bible Strands
Mark 13:5
Jesus began by telling them, “See to it that no one deceives you.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus speaks to his disciples immediately after they ask when the temple’s destruction will occur and what sign will precede it. He opens his response with a direct warning before detailing future events.
The words — βλέπετε (blepete) literally means “do take heed” or “watch carefully,” functioning as an urgent imperative to guard against deception.
The thread — This warning against spiritual deception appears in Jeremiah 29:8 against false prophets and diviners, Ephesians 5:6 against empty words, and Colossians 2:8 against human tradition and philosophy.
Why it lands — The text commands readers to maintain active vigilance and reject false claims before they are misled. It demands discernment rather than passive acceptance of religious assertions.
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
And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:
Cross-references
- 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.
- Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ.
- Jeremiah 29:8 For this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “Do not be deceived by the prophets and diviners among you, and do not listen to the dreams you elicit from them.
- Matthew 24:4 Jesus answered, “See to it that no one deceives you.
- Luke 21:8 Jesus answered, “See to it that you are not deceived. For many will come in My name, claiming, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them.
- 1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
- 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.
- 1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.
- Revelation 20:7 When the thousand years are complete, Satan will be released from his prison,