THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW - Chapter 24 - Verse 24

Verse 24. False Christs. Persons claiming to be the Messiah.

False prophets. Persons claiming to be the prophet spoken of by Moses, De 18:15 or persons pretending to declare the way of deliverance from the Romans, and calling the people to follow them. See Mt 24:5.

Shall shew great signs and wonders. That is, shall pretend to work miracles. Shall so nearly resemble prophets in their miraculous power as to render it difficult to detect the imposture. Josephus represents the false Christs and prophets that appeared, as magicians and sorcerers. He says they led the people out into the deserts, and promised to work miracles to deliver them. Ant., book xx., chap. 8, § 6.

If it were possible, they shall deceive, etc. So nearly would their pretended miracles resemble true miracles, as to render it difficult to detect the imposition; and so much so, that if it were possible they would persuade even true Christians that they were the Messiah. But this was not possible. They would be too firmly established in the belief that Jesus was the Christ, to be wholly led away by others. Christians may be sometimes led far astray; they may be in doubt about some great doctrines of religion; they may be perplexed by the cavils and cunning craftiness of those who do not love the truth; but they cannot be wholly deceived, and seduced from the Saviour. Our Saviour says, that if this were possible, it would be done then. But it was not possible.

{v} "For there shall" Mt 24:5,11 {w} "shall shew" 2 Th 2:9-11; Re 13:13 {x} "if it were possible" Joh 10:28,29