Matthew 24 26

Matthew 24:26 kjv

Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.

Matthew 24:26 nkjv

"Therefore if they say to you, 'Look, He is in the desert!' do not go out; or 'Look, He is in the inner rooms!' do not believe it.

Matthew 24:26 niv

"So if anyone tells you, 'There he is, out in the wilderness,' do not go out; or, 'Here he is, in the inner rooms,' do not believe it.

Matthew 24:26 esv

So, if they say to you, 'Look, he is in the wilderness,' do not go out. If they say, 'Look, he is in the inner rooms,' do not believe it.

Matthew 24:26 nlt

"So if someone tells you, 'Look, the Messiah is out in the desert,' don't bother to go and look. Or, 'Look, he is hiding here,' don't believe it!

Matthew 24 verses

Matthew 24 26 Meaning

Matthew 24:26 warns believers against deceptive claims about the physical presence of Christ during the lead-up to His glorious return. Jesus cautions His disciples not to follow or believe anyone who claims He is in a remote public area ("out in the wilderness") or in a secret, private location ("in the inner rooms"). The core message is that Christ's true Second Coming will be undeniably public and universally visible, thus any localized or secretive claim of His physical presence is a deception.

Matthew 24 26 Context

Matthew chapter 24 is part of Jesus' Olivet Discourse, delivered on the Mount of Olives in response to the disciples' questions regarding the destruction of the Temple and the signs of His coming and the end of the age (Matt 24:3). The chapter describes a period of increasing tribulation, persecution, and global evangelism, culminating in false Christs and false prophets emerging as significant dangers (Matt 24:4-5, 11). Verse 26, specifically, is embedded within a passage (Matt 24:23-28) where Jesus repeatedly warns against being deceived about His personal return, emphasizing its highly public and undeniable nature in contrast to any localized or secret claims. Historically, the first century CE saw numerous messianic claimants and uprisings, particularly in the desolate regions of Judea, making Jesus' warnings about "wilderness" claims particularly relevant to His Jewish audience. The concept of "inner rooms" could also resonate with emerging secret cults or esoteric teachings that valued hidden knowledge over open revelation.

Matthew 24 26 Word analysis

• So if anyone tells you: Indicates a direct warning against verbal communication of deceit. "So" (οὖν - oun) connects this instruction directly to the preceding warnings against false Christs. "Anyone" (τις - tis) implies that the source of such claims could be varied, not limited to overtly false prophets.
• 'There he is': (Ἰδοὺ - Idou) - An emphatic Greek exclamation, "Behold!" or "Look!" It serves to draw immediate attention, mimicking the urgency often used by deceivers to compel people to action or belief.
• out in the wilderness! (ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ - en tē erēmō): Refers to a "desert" or "desolate place." In Jewish history and prophecy, the wilderness was a place for spiritual renewal (e.g., John the Baptist), rebellion, or where messianic figures sometimes gathered followers, away from established authority or cities, seeking to create a new movement or deliverer. This scenario addresses public but geographically limited spectacles.
• do not go out: (μὴ ἐξέλθητε - mē exelthēte): A strong negative imperative. It commands believers to passively resist the deception by not physically moving to investigate or follow the claims, emphasizing immediate discernment and refusal to engage.
• or, 'Here he is': Another instance of "Ἰδοὺ" (Idou), reiterating the urgent, deceptive call to witness a purported messianic presence.
• in the inner rooms! (ἐν τοῖς ταμείοις - en tois tameiois): Literally "in the storerooms" or "private chambers," "secret rooms," "closets." This denotes a hidden, clandestine, or exclusive location. This contrasts with the wilderness claims by representing a secret, possibly esoteric, and non-public revelation. It targets deceptions that claim to possess special, hidden knowledge or exclusive access to Christ.
• do not believe it: (μὴ πιστεύσητε - mē pisteusēte): A even stronger negative imperative, specifically targeting the conviction and mental assent. This command transcends physical action, instructing believers to reject the very truthfulness of the claim in their minds and hearts, highlighting the spiritual danger of internalizing the lie.

Words-group by words-group analysis data

• "There he is, out in the wilderness!" / "Here he is, in the inner rooms!": These two phrases represent a comprehensive spectrum of possible deceptions regarding Christ's supposed physical presence. "Wilderness" points to claims that are public yet geographically remote or associated with a separate, "rebellious" movement, while "inner rooms" points to secret, private, or exclusive gatherings suggesting esoteric knowledge or a hidden Christ. Both scenarios imply a limited, localized presence, directly contrasting with the universally visible nature of Jesus' true Second Coming.
• "do not go out" / "do not believe it": This dual prohibition emphasizes both external (action-based) and internal (belief-based) resistance to deception. "Do not go out" is a command to avoid physical involvement or curiosity, preventing active participation in the fraud. "Do not believe it" is a command to reject the falsehood mentally and spiritually, safeguarding the inner convictions of faith from being compromised. The progression from physical avoidance to mental rejection highlights the insidious nature of the false claims, which seek to undermine faith.

Matthew 24 26 Bonus section

• Typology of Deception: The "wilderness" and "inner rooms" symbolize not just physical locations but modes of deception: public but obscure, and private/secret. These archetypes cover virtually all forms of localized messianic claims, preventing believers from being surprised by the specific venue of a false Christ.
• Divine Sovereignty: This verse subtly affirms the sovereignty of Christ over His own coming. It will not be manipulated or initiated by human claims but will occur according to God's timing and His majestic display, as outlined in Scripture.
• Spirit of Anti-Christ: This warning about false Christs aligns with the broader biblical theme of the spirit of antichrist (1 Jn 2:18, 1 Jn 4:3), which denies the true Christ and His manifestation, often through deception and counter-revelation.

Matthew 24 26 Commentary

Matthew 24:26 serves as a pivotal warning in the Olivet Discourse, equipping believers with crucial discernment for the end times. Jesus provides two archetypal scenarios for how false claims about His presence will manifest, ensuring His followers are not led astray. The "wilderness" claim anticipates visible, perhaps sensational or politically charged, displays of a false messiah, playing on the desire for a deliverer to emerge from an unexpected or revolutionary quarter. Historically, various zealots and messianic pretenders in Judea utilized desolate areas for their gatherings. Conversely, the "inner rooms" warning targets insidious, secretive cults or groups claiming special, hidden knowledge of Christ's return, often fostering an elitist or esoteric sense of access to "truth." This can be seen as a prophylactic against Gnostic-like heresies prevalent in the early Church that touted secret knowledge.

The unified message is that Christ's genuine return will be globally, unmistakably visible, like lightning flashing across the sky (Matt 24:27), leaving no doubt for any observer. It will not be hidden in a remote place, nor will it be revealed in private chambers to a select few. The firm commands "do not go out" and "do not believe it" underscore the gravity of these deceptions, urging immediate rejection of any localized claims. This calls for constant vigilance and reliance on revealed Scripture rather than sensationalistic reports or claims of exclusive insight, ensuring believers remain grounded in biblical truth and are not seduced by counterfeits of the ultimate glorious revelation.