Mark 13 21

Mark 13:21 kjv

And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not:

Mark 13:21 nkjv

"Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'Look, He is there!' do not believe it.

Mark 13:21 niv

At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Messiah!' or, 'Look, there he is!' do not believe it.

Mark 13:21 esv

And then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'Look, there he is!' do not believe it.

Mark 13:21 nlt

"Then if anyone tells you, 'Look, here is the Messiah,' or 'There he is,' don't believe it.

Mark 13 verses

Mark 13 21 Meaning

Mark 13:21 warns against succumbing to deception regarding the appearance or whereabouts of Christ, especially during the tumultuous times preceding His true return. It signifies that any claim presenting Christ as secretly present in a specific location or appearing in an unexpected, hidden manner is false. This instruction is a crucial defense for believers against various forms of spiritual fraud, false messiahs, and misplaced expectations, emphasizing that the Lord's return will be undeniable and universally witnessed, not something requiring secret knowledge or special revelation from specific individuals.

Mark 13 21 Context

Mark chapter 13, known as the "Olivet Discourse," presents Jesus' prophecies regarding the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple, the signs preceding His second coming, and the end of the age. This discourse was given privately to His disciples (Peter, James, John, and Andrew) on the Mount of Olives, just days before His crucifixion. Following Jesus' prediction of the Temple's destruction (Mk 13:1-2), the disciples ask when these things will happen and what will be the sign (Mk 13:3-4). In response, Jesus outlines a series of events and warnings, starting with deception (Mk 13:5-6). He describes "birth pains" like wars and famines (Mk 13:7-8), persecution of believers (Mk 13:9-13), and the "abomination of desolation" (Mk 13:14-20) as markers leading up to a time of unprecedented tribulation. Mark 13:21 specifically arises in this context of intense tribulation and chaos, a period ripe for widespread spiritual confusion where people will be desperate for answers or a deliverer, making them vulnerable to deceptive claims about Christ's hidden or premature return. The warning here provides a boundary against local or private claims of His presence, countering them with the nature of His future, global advent.

Mark 13 21 Word analysis

• Then (Τότε - tote): This Greek adverb denotes a point in time or a consequence. It links the preceding descriptions of tribulation (Mk 13:14-20) directly to the warning that follows, indicating that this specific deception will occur during or after those difficult times. It implies a continuation or culmination of escalating deceptive activities.
• if anyone (ἐάν τις - ean tis): This conditional clause indicates a potential or hypothetical scenario, highlighting the possibility rather than certainty of such claims being made. It's a general warning applicable to any person who might attempt to deceive.
• says (εἴπῃ - eipē): From the verb legō, meaning "to speak, say, declare." This term refers to verbal communication or a proclamation. It emphasizes that these deceptions will come in the form of direct announcements or statements.
• to you (ὑμῖν - humin): This refers specifically to the disciples, and by extension, all believers who would read or hear this gospel message. It personalizes the warning, making it clear that the recipients of the message are the direct targets of this potential deception.
• Look (Ἴδε - Ide): This is an imperative verb meaning "behold," "see," or "take notice." It is a call to immediate attention, often used to introduce something important or dramatic. In this context, it highlights the persuasive and attention-grabbing nature of the deceptive claims. The repetition in the verse (Ide...Ide) underscores the urgency and distinctness of each false claim.
• here (ὧδε - hōde): An adverb of place, meaning "in this place," "here." It signifies a specific, localized, or immediate physical presence. The false claim will try to convince people that Christ's coming is already localized and identifiable in a particular spot. This contrasts with the universal and cosmic nature of Christ's actual return.
• is the Christ (ὁ Χριστός - ho Christos): "The Christ" is the Greek translation of the Hebrew "Messiah" (Mashiach), meaning "the Anointed One." This refers to Jesus as the divinely appointed Savior and King. The false claims will specifically center on Christ's supposed arrival, targeting the fervent hope and expectation of believers.
• or (ἢ - ē): This disjunctive particle presents an alternative false claim. It broadens the scope of the deception to include variations of location.
• He is there (ἐκεῖ - ekei): Another adverb of place, meaning "yonder," "in that place." Similar to "here," it points to a specific, perhaps distant or secret, location. Together, "here" and "there" cover the gamut of spatial claims, from nearby and immediate to further removed or concealed.
• do not believe (μὴ πιστεύετε - mē pisteuete): This is a strong, negative imperative, conveying a direct prohibition. Mē denotes absolute negation, not merely doubt but an outright rejection of the claim. Pisteuete comes from pisteuō, "to believe, trust, put faith in." This command forbids the disciples from putting any credence, faith, or trust in such claims. It's a call for spiritual discernment and firm rejection.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'Look, He is there!'": This phrase sets up the precise nature of the deceptive claims. It highlights the locality and secrecy (implied by "here" or "there," suggesting a place one must go to find Him) of the alleged appearance. It implies a private or confined advent, appealing to those seeking exclusive or insider information. This stands in stark contrast to Jesus' true return, which He describes later in the chapter (Mk 13:26-27) as public, cosmic, and unmistakable, like lightning. The false claims attempt to present Christ's coming as an event that needs to be "pointed out" or "discovered."
• "do not believe it": This is the core commandment and provides the crucial boundary. The simple yet absolute negation "mē pisteuete" underscores the certainty that any such localized or hidden claims about Christ's return are categorically false. Believers are called to exercise unwavering spiritual vigilance and discernment, trusting in the revealed truth about His future coming rather than deceptive human pronouncements. This instruction is a protective measure against cultic movements or charlatans who claim unique access to Christ or His presence.

Mark 13 21 Bonus section

The historical and cultural context of Jesus' time was ripe with various messianic expectations, with some anticipating a political liberator who might operate from a specific locale to raise an army or lead a rebellion. Jewish sects also had different eschatological visions, sometimes looking for a prophet or Messiah to emerge from the desert (like John the Baptist did) or from within temple courts. Jesus’ warning here directly addresses these types of localized, secretive expectations, asserting that His true arrival will not conform to such earthly, human-conceived models of revelation.

The Greek term for "Christ" (Χριστός - Christos) carries immense weight, referring to the "Anointed One," the long-awaited deliverer promised in the Old Testament. The deceptive use of this title by impostors, or false claims about the Christ's whereabouts, underscores the severity of the spiritual battle over the identity and return of God's chosen Messiah. This verse serves as a polemic against any attempt to privatize or contain the cosmic magnitude of Christ's genuine Second Coming, preventing believers from being misled into cult-like environments that might demand exclusive allegiance to a localized figure. It reinforces that discernment during times of distress is paramount and must be founded on established biblical truth, not emotional appeals or supposed "inside" information.

Mark 13 21 Commentary

Mark 13:21 serves as a vital safeguard for believers against deception concerning Christ's Second Coming, particularly amidst intense end-time tribulation. Jesus clearly warns His disciples that when such dire times arrive, individuals will arise, making compelling but false claims about Christ's physical presence, pinpointing Him to specific, localized places like "here" or "there." The emphasis of this warning lies in the manner of the alleged appearance: private, localized, and requiring one to be "shown" where He is.

This directly contrasts with the truth Jesus reveals elsewhere: His true advent will not be hidden or secret, nor will it require a specific location to find Him. Instead, it will be a universally witnessed, cosmic event, like lightning flashing across the sky (Mt 24:27; Lk 17:24). The false claims are designed to mislead and capitalize on people's desperation for salvation or signs of deliverance during chaotic times.

The strong prohibition, "do not believe it," underscores the critical need for spiritual discernment. Believers must not be swayed by seemingly miraculous signs or convincing rhetoric that points to a private or exclusive manifestation of Christ. Their faith should rest on the clear biblical portrayal of His return, which will be unmistakable and seen by all. This verse prepares Christians to resist false messianic movements and charismatic deceivers who might attempt to draw away the faithful with claims of a localized, earthly manifestation of Christ or even themselves. It cultivates an informed eschatological hope grounded in divine revelation, not human conjecture or deceptive cults.

For practical application, this means:

• Be wary of any religious leader who claims Christ is secretly present in a particular community or claims to be a re-manifestation of Christ on Earth.
• Reject spiritual movements that promise an exclusive, private revelation of Christ or His presence in a hidden location.
• Trust the Scriptural depiction of Christ's return as a global, undeniable event, visible to all, and do not follow after those who suggest otherwise.