Mark 13:22 kjv
For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
Mark 13:22 nkjv
For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
Mark 13:22 niv
For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
Mark 13:22 esv
For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect.
Mark 13:22 nlt
For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God's chosen ones.
Mark 13 22 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| False Claims & Deception | ||
| Deut 13:1-5 | If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign... saying, 'Let us go after other gods'... | Warns against false prophets and their signs. |
| Matt 7:15 | "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves." | Identifies false prophets by their character. |
| Matt 24:4-5 | And Jesus answered and said to them, "See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ.'" | Jesus warns disciples about widespread deception by false Christs. |
| Matt 24:11 | And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. | Foreshadows increased activity of false prophets. |
| Matt 24:23-24 | "Then if anyone says to you, 'Behold, here is the Christ!' or 'There He is!'... For false Christs and false prophets will arise..." | Directly parallels Mk 13:22, reinforcing the warning. |
| 2 Pet 2:1 | But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you... | Connects Old Testament warning to New Testament future. |
| 1 Jn 4:1 | Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. | Call for discernment against false spiritual claims. |
| Miraculous Works | ||
| Ex 7:11-12 | Then Pharaoh also called for the wise men and the sorcerers, and they also, the magicians of Egypt, did the same with their secret arts... | Demonstrates that non-divine power can mimic signs. |
| Ex 8:7 | And the magicians did the same with their secret arts... | Reinforces that false power can perform wonders. |
| Deut 13:1-2 | "If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises... and gives you a sign or a wonder... saying, 'Let us go after other gods'..." | Signs alone are not proof of divine authority. |
| 2 Thess 2:9-10 | ...whose coming is by the working of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, and with all unrighteous deception for those who are perishing... | Clearly attributes false signs to Satanic power and a deceptive purpose. |
| Rev 13:13-14 | It performs great signs... It deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which it was permitted to perform... | Prophesies demonic power used for worldwide deception. |
| Rev 16:14 | For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, who go out to the kings of the whole world... | Reveals the source and intent of these signs. |
| Rev 19:20 | ...who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast... | Confirms the deceptive power of these signs. |
| Protection of the Elect | ||
| Matt 24:24 | ...so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. | Direct parallel, highlighting the perseverance of the elect. |
| Matt 24:31 | And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds... | Confirms the ultimate gathering and preservation of the elect. |
| Jn 6:37 | All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. | Emphasizes divine sovereignty in drawing and keeping believers. |
| Jn 10:28-29 | "and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand." | Assures the ultimate security of God's chosen. |
| Rom 8:28-30 | And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose... For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined... and whom He called, He also justified; and whom He justified, He also glorified. | Highlights the unbroken chain of salvation from God's eternal plan to glorification. |
| Rom 8:33 | Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies. | Assures the secure position of the elect before God. |
| 2 Tim 2:10 | For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory. | Connects suffering to the purpose of saving the elect. |
| Jude 1:24 | Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy... | Attributes the preservation of believers to God's power. |
Mark 13 verses
Mark 13 22 Meaning
Mark 13:22 serves as a solemn warning from Jesus concerning the powerful and deceptive nature of the false Christs and false prophets who will emerge in the future. They will authenticate their false claims by performing supernatural acts, often described as signs and wonders. The ultimate goal of their deceptions is to mislead, if such a thing were even possible, those whom God has chosen for Himself, highlighting the profound strength of these delusions and the divine security of the elect.
Mark 13 22 Context
Mark chapter 13, known as the Olivet Discourse, contains Jesus' prophecies regarding the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple and the signs leading up to His second coming. It addresses questions posed by His disciples about these future events. Within this larger eschatological teaching, Jesus places strong emphasis on preparedness, vigilance, and particularly, discernment. He warns them about widespread deception, specifically the rise of figures who falsely claim divine authority. Mark 13:22 is a critical part of these warnings, stressing that the coming deceptions will be so powerful and convincing, even accompanied by genuine-looking supernatural displays, that they pose a significant threat to all, emphasizing the necessity for believers to cling to the true Christ and His Word.
Mark 13 22 Word analysis
- For (γάρ, gar): This conjunction indicates a reason or explanation. It links back to the preceding warnings (Mk 13:5-6, 13:21) about avoiding deception, providing the justification why one must be alert. It points to the nature and power of the upcoming threats.
- false Christs (ψευδόχριστοι, pseudochristoi): Derived from pseudes (false, lying) and christos (anointed one, Christ, Messiah). These are individuals who falsely claim to be the Messiah, Jesus' messianic title. In Jewish tradition, the Messiah was God's promised deliverer and king. Such claimants would attempt to fulfill messianic expectations, often through political or militaristic means, or by asserting divine authority for themselves. This term directly challenges core theological identity.
- and false prophets (καὶ ψευδοπροφῆται, kai pseudoprophetai): Derived from pseudes (false, lying) and prophētēs (prophet). These are individuals who claim to speak for God or interpret His will, but who, in fact, utter lies, distortions, or lead people astray. Old Testament prophets served as God's spokesmen; false prophets presented themselves in similar roles, seeking to deceive people into following different gods or corrupting God's true message (cf. Deut 18:20-22).
- will arise (ἀναστήσονται, anastēsontai): This future tense verb indicates that these deceptive figures are yet to appear on the scene. It suggests an active, rising movement, a visible emergence into prominence or power, emphasizing that their appearance is part of a future prophecy.
- and perform (καὶ δώσουσιν, kai dōsousin): Literally "and they will give/show." The verb points to an action of presentation or demonstration.
- signs (σημεῖα, sēmeia): Literally "signs" or "portents." These are actions or events intended to convey meaning, particularly miraculous proofs of divine power or authorization. In biblical context, true signs affirm God's truth, while false signs are designed to authenticate deception.
- and wonders (καὶ τέρατα, kai terata): Literally "wonders" or "marvels." These are astonishing or astounding phenomena, often associated with miracles, designed to elicit awe or amazement. Used alongside sēmeia ("signs and wonders"), it signifies acts that are extraordinary and seemingly supernatural, which appeal to people's desire for the miraculous.
- to lead astray (πρὸς τὸ ἀποπλανᾷν, pros to apoplanaō): The purpose clause, indicating the intention behind their actions. Apoplanaō means to lead someone off course, to wander away from the right path, or to deceive thoroughly. Their objective is spiritual delusion and misdirection, drawing people away from Christ.
- if possible (εἰ δυνατόν, ei dynaton): This is a crucial phrase. It signifies a hypothetical condition that cannot truly be met concerning the elect. It does not imply a real possibility that the elect can be permanently led astray. Instead, it highlights the intensity and cunning of the deception; the falsehoods will be so compelling and convincing that if anyone could be truly deceived, it would be these highly dedicated and seemingly faithful individuals. It emphasizes the greatness of the deception while simultaneously asserting the absolute security and preservation of God's chosen ones by His sovereign power.
- the elect (τοὺς ἐκλεκτούς, tous eklektous): Derived from eklegomai (to choose, select). This refers to those whom God has chosen for salvation. In the New Testament, "the elect" refers to God's chosen people, set apart by His grace and sovereign purpose, destined for salvation and eternal life through Christ. This term emphasizes God's initiative and securing power in salvation.
Mark 13 22 Bonus section
The repeated emphasis on deception in Mark 13, particularly surrounding false Christs and false prophets performing signs and wonders, reveals a foundational principle for discerning truth: authenticity is determined not by miraculous power alone, but by consistency with God's revealed Word and by fruit. Jesus Himself taught that true prophets are known by their fruit (Matt 7:16-20). Moreover, signs and wonders, while they can originate from God, can also be performed by demonic powers. Therefore, any spiritual claim, no matter how outwardly impressive, that deviates from the teachings and person of Jesus Christ as revealed in Scripture must be rejected. The focus is always on the true message and the true Messenger, not just on displays of power. This highlights the crucial role of theological education and spiritual formation in grounding believers against widespread eschatological deception.
Mark 13 22 Commentary
Mark 13:22 delivers a sobering warning directly from Jesus about the escalating nature of spiritual deception preceding His return. It builds on previous alerts by specifying the means of deception: not just false words, but impressive, even supernatural, acts. "False Christs" will embody deceptive messianic claims, usurping the true identity of the Savior. "False prophets" will deliver fraudulent divine messages, undermining the authority of God's genuine Word.
What makes these deceptions uniquely dangerous is their power to "perform signs and wonders." This implies more than mere trickery; these are phenomena that mimic genuine miracles, designed to convince people that divine power or authority is at work. The Bible clearly teaches that extraordinary displays do not inherently prove divine origin, as seen with Pharaoh's magicians (Ex 7-8) or in prophetic warnings of latter-day demonic powers (2 Thess 2:9-10; Rev 13:13-14). Therefore, spiritual discernment, rooted in a profound understanding of God's revealed Word, becomes paramount over a fascination with the miraculous.
The terrifying objective of these powerful deceptions is "to lead astray, if possible, the elect." This phrase underscores the profound intensity and subtlety of the delusion. The phrase "if possible" is a hyperbole not intended to suggest a genuine risk to the ultimate salvation of God's true chosen ones. Instead, it magnifies the cunning of the deception—it's so powerful that it would deceive even the most spiritually discerning, if God were not upholding His elect. It is a powerful affirmation of the elect's divine security and perseverance, guaranteed by God's faithfulness and preserving power (Jn 10:28-29; Rom 8:33-39), not by their own inherent strength. The warning, therefore, is not about a failure of God's election, but a call to profound vigilance for all who hear it, reminding them that only by steadfastness in the true Christ can they navigate these perilous times.
Practically, this verse calls believers to:
- Discernment: Test every spirit and teaching against the Word of God (1 Jn 4:1; Acts 17:11).
- Biblical Literacy: Know Jesus as revealed in the Scriptures to identify counterfeits (Jn 5:39).
- Dependence on God: Recognize that protection from deception ultimately comes from God's preserving power.