False Christs*, False Messiahs — Tyndale Open Bible Dictionary

Those who falsely claim to be the Christ or Messiah. False christs are mentioned only in the eschatological discourse of Jesus recorded by Matthew (24:24) and Mark (13:22).

Show passage in OET: MAT 24:24

OET-RV MAT 24:24

24 because false messiahs and false prophets will emerge, and they’ll do amazing miracles that would, if possible, mislead even the chosen people.

OET-LV MAT 24:24

24 For/Because false _messiahs will _be _being _raised and false _prophets, and they _will _be _giving great signs and wonders, so _as to _mislead even the chosen if possible.

Show passage in OET: MRK 13:22

OET-RV MRK 13:22

22 Plenty of fake messiahs and deceiving prophets will certainly come and even do things that humans can’t normally do, so much so that even the chosen ones would defect if that were possible.

OET-LV MRK 13:22

22 For/Because false _messiahs and false _prophets will _be _being _raised, and they _will _be _giving signs and wonders, because/for that the chosen ones if possible to _be _wandering _away.

Jump to OET MAT 24:24 section.

Jump to OET MRK 13:22 section.

In that discourse Jesus instructed his disciples about the future. He prophesied the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem and warned about the deception and persecution that would confront the disciples. He especially warned his disciples that during the terrible days surrounding the destruction of the temple they were not to be deceived by false christs and false prophets (Mk 13:21-23). In this particular form of deception, some would claim that the Christ was in a particular location (v 21). Those deceivers would perform signs and wonders to try to deceive the elect. But Jesus prepared his disciples by instructing them that there will be cosmic signs preceding his return as the Son of Man (vv 24-25) and that his coming will be with great power and glory visible to all.

Show passage in OET: MRK 13:21–23

OET-RV MRK 13:21

21 ⇔So don’t believe it if you all hear someone say, ‘Look, the messiah has arrived here.’ or ‘There’s the one that God has sent.’

OET-RV MRK 13:22

22 Plenty of fake messiahs and deceiving prophets will certainly come and even do things that humans can’t normally do, so much so that even the chosen ones would defect if that were possible.

OET-RV MRK 13:23

23 So watch out, but I’ve warned you in advance about all of that.

OET-LV MRK 13:21

21 And then if anyone may _say to _you _all:
Behold, here is the chosen _one /messiah, or Or _see, there, be_ not _believing it.

OET-LV MRK 13:22

22 For/Because false _messiahs and false _prophets will _be _being _raised, and they _will _be _giving signs and wonders, because/for that the chosen ones if possible to _be _wandering _away.

OET-LV MRK 13:23

23 But you _all be _watching _out, see, I _have _previously _spoken all things to _you _all.

Show passage in OET: MRK 13:21

OET-RV MRK 13:21

21 ⇔So don’t believe it if you all hear someone say, ‘Look, the messiah has arrived here.’ or ‘There’s the one that God has sent.’

OET-LV MRK 13:21

21 And then if anyone may _say to _you _all:
Behold, here is the chosen _one /messiah, or Or _see, there, be_ not _believing it.

Show passage in OET: MRK 13:24–25

OET-RV MRK 13:24

24 “After those very difficult times, the sun will go dark and the moon won’t shine at night.

OET-RV MRK 13:25

25 The stars will fall down out of the sky and the powers in the heavens will be shaken up.

OET-LV MRK 13:24

24 But in those the days, after the that tribulation:
the sun will _be _being _darkened, and the moon ˓will˒_ not _be _giving the radiance of _it,

OET-LV MRK 13:25

25 and the stars will _be falling out _of of _the sky, and the powers which in the heavens will _be _being _shaken.

Jump to OET MRK 13:21–23 section.

Jump to OET MRK 13:21 section.

Jump to OET MRK 13:24–25 section.

From history we know that Jesus’ instruction enabled Christians to flee the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in AD 70, and to withstand the deception of false christs. The church still awaits Jesus’ return as the glorious Son of Man.