Mark 13:5 kjv
And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:
Mark 13:5 nkjv
And Jesus, answering them, began to say: "Take heed that no one deceives you.
Mark 13:5 niv
Jesus said to them: "Watch out that no one deceives you.
Mark 13:5 esv
And Jesus began to say to them, "See that no one leads you astray.
Mark 13:5 nlt
Jesus replied, "Don't let anyone mislead you,
Mark 13 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Matt 24:4 | And Jesus answered and said to them, "See that no one leads you astray." | Parallel passage, identical warning. |
| Luke 21:8 | And he said, "See that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is at hand!’ Do not go after them." | Parallel warning about false claimants. |
| Deut 13:1-5 | If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you... you shall not listen... for the LORD your God is testing you. | OT warning against false prophets and tests of faith. |
| Jer 14:14 | Then the LORD said to me: "The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them..." | OT condemnation of deceptive prophets. |
| Matt 7:15 | "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves." | Jesus' warning about the nature of false prophets. |
| 2 Cor 11:13-15 | For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. | Warning about deceitful ministers. |
| Eph 5:6 | Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. | General warning against empty spiritual words. |
| Col 2:8 | See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition... | Warning against worldly philosophical deception. |
| 1 Tim 4:1 | Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons. | Prophecy of future apostasy via deception. |
| 2 Thes 2:3, 9-11 | Let no one deceive you in any way... coming with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception... God sends them a strong delusion. | Deception concerning the "man of lawlessness." |
| 2 Pet 2:1-3 | But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies... | Prophecy of destructive heresies. |
| 1 John 4:1 | Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. | Call for discernment regarding spiritual claims. |
| Jude 1:4 | For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God... | Warning against hidden, perverting teachers. |
| Rom 16:17-18 | I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine... By smooth talk and flattery they deceive... | Warning against divisive and deceptive individuals. |
| Rev 12:9 | And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world... | Source of all ultimate deception. |
| Rev 13:14 | and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast, it deceives those who dwell on earth... | Deception by the Beast/false prophet. |
| Rev 20:3 | ...that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. | Satan's ongoing work of deception. |
| 1 John 2:18 | Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come... | Rise of many false messianic figures. |
| Matt 24:11 | And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. | Continuation of specific deception warning. |
| Eph 4:14 | so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. | Warning against doctrinal instability and deception. |
| Acts 20:29-30 | I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. | Paul's prophecy of internal and external threats. |
Mark 13 verses
Mark 13 5 Meaning
Mark 13:5 contains Jesus' foundational and immediate warning to His disciples in the Olivet Discourse: that they must be diligently watchful to prevent anyone from deceiving them. It establishes that the primary danger in the end times will not be external catastrophes, but internal spiritual delusion that leads people away from the truth. This imperative stresses vigilance and discernment against false teachings and claims.
Mark 13 5 Context
Mark chapter 13, known as the Olivet Discourse, begins with Jesus' prophecy that the grand Jerusalem Temple will be completely destroyed (Mk 13:1-2). This shocking statement prompts four disciples – Peter, James, John, and Andrew – to privately ask Jesus, "Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?" (Mk 13:3-4). Jesus' answer is comprehensive, but He immediately prioritizes the greatest danger. Before discussing signs of the end, wars, earthquakes, or famines, His very first warning, recorded in verse 5, addresses spiritual deception. This placement emphasizes that discernment against error is paramount for believers living in any age leading up to His return, but especially in the escalating turmoil of the last days. It frames the entire discourse with a critical caution for spiritual vigilance.
Mark 13 5 Word analysis
- And (Καὶ - Kai): A common conjunction connecting the previous questions of the disciples (Mark 13:4) to Jesus' immediate and crucial response. It indicates a direct transition to His answer.
- Jesus (Ἰησοῦς - Iēsous): The Lord Jesus Christ. His identity here signifies divine authority behind the warning, as He is the Son of God and the ultimate revealer of truth. The one speaking has full authority over the matter.
- began to say (ἤρξατο λέγειν - ērxato legein): This phrase suggests the commencement of an important discourse, not a casual comment. It sets the stage for a significant teaching that unfolds over the rest of the chapter. It emphasizes that this warning is the start and thus foundational to His lengthy response.
- to them (αὐτοῖς - autois): Specifically referring to the four disciples who asked the question (Peter, James, John, and Andrew), yet by extension, it applies to all believers throughout history, as the dangers described are timeless and universal for the church.
- See (Βλέπετε - Blepete): An imperative verb in the plural, commanding active vigilance, deep consideration, and keen observation. It’s stronger than a mere suggestion to "look"; it implies an urgent command to "beware," "take heed," or "watch out" with conscious effort. It requires discernment.
- that no one (μή τις - mē tis): A strong negative prohibition, emphasizing absolute prevention. It implies that any source of deception, whether a person, a false teaching, a false sign, or even a spirit, must be guarded against without exception. This isn't just about certain types of people, but about any possibility of deception.
- deceives (πλανήσῃ - planēsē): Derived from the Greek verb planao, meaning "to lead astray," "to wander off," "to cause to roam," or "to mislead." In this context, it carries the weight of spiritual deception, causing someone to depart from the truth, err in doctrine, or be misled in judgment, often with destructive consequences for their faith. It can imply a mental or moral wandering.
Mark 13 5 Bonus section
The prominence of Mark 13:5, appearing immediately after the disciples' question about the end times, signals a key theme throughout prophetic scripture: the true battle for God's people is fundamentally spiritual. This verse foreshadows many warnings by the Apostles (e.g., Paul, Peter, John) about false teachers, antichrists, and deceitful spirits, indicating that vigilance against deception is an ongoing and increasing necessity for the Church. The deceptive nature of false claims often appeals to emotions, current trends, or desires for extraordinary experiences rather than robust theological truth. Therefore, remaining anchored in sound doctrine, as taught by Jesus and His apostles, is the antidote to the widespread error.
Mark 13 5 Commentary
Mark 13:5 serves as Jesus' urgent and foundational warning at the outset of His eschatological discourse. It places paramount importance on discernment over any other concern. His command, "See that no one deceives you," underscores that the primary threat to believers in the "last days" – which encompass the entire period between His first and second comings – is spiritual deception, rather than mere physical peril. This highlights that external events, like wars or famines mentioned later in the discourse, are secondary to the internal state of belief.
The emphasis on deception indicates that the adversary's main tactic is to subtly lead people astray from Christ and His truth, often through plausible but false claims about Him or His kingdom. These deceivers might present themselves convincingly, hence the need for vigilant watchfulness commanded by "See" (Blepete). The danger isn't just from outside sources; deception can arise from within the community of believers as well. This warning necessitates believers to ground themselves firmly in God's Word and cultivate spiritual discernment through the Holy Spirit to accurately test teachings and spirits (1 Jn 4:1). The call is not for fear, but for an active, critical engagement with all spiritual claims, ensuring one's loyalty and faith remain solely in Christ and His authentic revelation.