Matthew 24 4

Matthew 24:4 kjv

And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

Matthew 24:4 nkjv

And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you.

Matthew 24:4 niv

Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you.

Matthew 24:4 esv

And Jesus answered them, "See that no one leads you astray.

Matthew 24:4 nlt

Jesus told them, "Don't let anyone mislead you,

Matthew 24 verses

Matthew 24 4 Meaning

Jesus' initial response to His disciples' inquiry about the end of the age emphasizes the paramount importance of avoiding deception. His primary warning is not about specific signs or timelines, but about guarding against any influence that would lead them astray concerning the truth of His coming and the characteristics of the last days. It underscores the spiritual vigilance required by believers.

Matthew 24 4 Context

Matthew chapter 24 initiates the Olivet Discourse, Jesus' most extensive teaching on end-time events. It begins with the disciples marveling at the Temple's grandeur (Matt 24:1). Jesus predicts its complete destruction (Matt 24:2). This leads the disciples to three specific questions in Matt 24:3: "Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" Jesus' reply in Matt 24:4 is the first and arguably most foundational point in His entire eschatological discourse. Rather than immediately listing signs, He warns against spiritual vulnerability, prioritizing the prevention of error before detailing future events. This emphasis on preventing deception sets the stage for all subsequent prophetic insights, framing vigilance and discernment as central to navigating the last days. Historically, the 1st century was rife with various Jewish messianic expectations and political unrest, creating fertile ground for false claimants and teachings, which Jesus' warning directly addresses.

Matthew 24 4 Word analysis

• And Jesus answered (καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ Ἰησοῦς - kai apokritheis ho Iēsous):
  • ἀποκριθεὶς (apokritheis): An aorist participle of apokrinomai, meaning "to answer" or "to reply." It signifies a direct, deliberate response to the disciples' specific questions in Matt 24:3. This isn't a general discourse but a focused answer.
• and said to them (εἶπεν αὐτοῖς - eipen autois):
  • εἶπεν (eipen): Standard Greek verb for "he said." Reinforces the direct, personal instruction from Jesus to His disciples.
  • αὐτοῖς (autois): "To them" – specifically addressing the disciples present, implying a crucial teaching intended for His closest followers and by extension, for all who follow Him through the ages.
• "Take heed" (Βλέπετε - Blepete):
  • This is a present active imperative of blepō, meaning "to see," "to perceive," "to discern," and by extension, "to beware" or "to take heed." The present tense denotes a continuous, ongoing command. It is an urgent, active command for vigilant watchfulness and discernment. It implies not just passive observation but an active mental state of guarding against something.
• that no one (μή τις - mē tis):
  • μή (mē): A strong Greek particle used to express a negative prohibition, emphasizing prevention.
  • τις (tis): "Anyone" or "someone." The combination "μή τις" translates as "that no one," indicating that the potential source of deception is not specified, thus encompassing all possible agents – human, spiritual, or ideological.
• deceives you (πλανήσῃ ὑμᾶς - planēsē hymas):
  • πλανήσῃ (planēsē): An aorist active subjunctive of planaō, meaning "to cause to wander," "to lead astray," "to deceive," "to lead into error." The subjunctive mood in combination with "μή" emphasizes the strong prohibition against allowing such deception. This deception is not merely intellectual error but implies spiritual deviation from the truth.
  • ὑμᾶς (hymas): "You" (plural), referring to the disciples, and by extension, all believers who hear and heed this warning throughout church history.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And Jesus answered... 'Take heed'": This immediate, imperative response from Jesus highlights the critical importance of vigilance as the foundational posture for facing end-time events. It is His first point of warning, suggesting it is the most essential.
• "Take heed that no one deceives you": This entire phrase functions as the core warning. It places the responsibility on the believers to actively prevent being misled. The danger is so pervasive ("no one") that a constant, discerning attitude is necessary. The command is active ("take heed") rather than passive, meaning believers must engage their minds and spiritual senses. The verb "deceives" indicates not just making a mistake but being intentionally led away from truth into error, particularly concerning Christ's teachings about the end times.

Matthew 24 4 Bonus section

• This verse implies an ongoing spiritual warfare where deception is a primary weapon used by opposing spiritual forces.
• The antidote to deception is adherence to Jesus' words, knowledge of Scripture, and the indwelling Holy Spirit, who guides into all truth (John 16:13).
• The warning is timeless and universally applicable to all generations of believers facing spiritual challenges, particularly those with a focus on future events or special revelations.
• Deception often thrives on curiosity about the unknown or a desire for sensationalism, making Matt 24:4 a critical safeguard against these tendencies.

Matthew 24 4 Commentary

Matthew 24:4 stands as Jesus' crucial initial response to the disciples' questions about His coming and the end of the age. Its brevity and placement are highly significant: Jesus begins not with a timetable of events, but with a foundational warning against deception. This immediately identifies spiritual vulnerability as the paramount danger in the last days. The term "deceives" (Gk. planaō) implies being led astray from the truth, causing one to wander into error concerning sound doctrine or righteous conduct. Such deception would be intentional and pervasive, emanating from various sources including false Christs and false prophets as Jesus later explains. The command "Take heed" (Gk. blepete) is an urgent, continuous call to active discernment and vigilance, urging believers to guard their minds and hearts against any teaching or claim that deviates from the authentic truth He has revealed. This instruction underscores that even those earnestly seeking understanding of the end times are susceptible to being misled, thus necessitating constant reliance on Christ's true teachings. This verse provides the essential lens through which to interpret all subsequent prophecies regarding the end of the age.