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Selected Verse: Matthew 24:24 - King James
Verse |
Translation |
Text |
Mt 24:24 |
King James |
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
False Christs - Persons claiming to be the Messiah.
False prophets - Persons claiming to be "the prophet" spoken of by Moses Deu 18:15; or persons pretending to declare the way of deliverance from the Romans, and calling the people to follow them. See Mat 24:5.
Shall show great signs and wonders - That is, shall pretend to work miracles. They will 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, Antiq. b. 20 chapter 8, section 6.
If it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect - So nearly would their pretended miracles resemble true miracles as to render it difficult to detect the imposture; so much so, that if it were possible they would persuade even true Christians that they were the Messiah. But that was not possible. His real friends would be too firmly established in the belief that he 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 entirely deceived and seduced from the Saviour. Our Saviour says that if this "were possible," it would be done then; but it was not possible. Compare the notes at Joh 10:28-29. |
Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
Signs and wonders (σημεῖα καὶ τέρατα)
See on Mat 11:20. The two words often joined in the New Testament. See Joh 4:48; Act 2:22; Act 4:30; Co2 12:12. The words do not denote different classes of supernatural manifestations, but these manifestations regarded from different points of view. The same miracle may be a mighty work, or a glorious work, regarded with reference to its power and grandeur; or a sign of the doer's supernatural power; or a wonder, as it appeals to the spectator. Τέρας, (derivation uncertain) is a miracle regarded as a portent or prodigy, awakening amazement. It most nearly corresponds, therefore, to the etymological sense of the word miracle (Lat., miraculum, a wonderful thing, from mirari, to wonder). |
Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
They would deceive, if possible, the very elect - But it is not possible that God should suffer the body of Christians to be thus deceived. |
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
15 The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;
12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.
30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
48 Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.
20 Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: