New Testament · Gospel

Mark 13:22

Watch and Wait

For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive even the elect, if that were possible. Mark 13:22 · Berean Standard Bible
What It Means

Mark 13:22, in plain English

False messiahs and false prophets will show up performing impressive miracles — so convincing they could almost fool God's own people.

Why it's here

Miracles alone don't prove someone is from God. Jesus is teaching you to look deeper than signs and wonders.

Who's speaking

Jesus continues His warning about end-times deception.

Where it sits in the story

This is a sobering reminder: impressive doesn't mean true. Even miraculous displays can be misleading. The key is knowing the real Jesus so well that you can spot the fakes.

A Closer Look

The scholar's commentary

False Christs (pseudochristoi) and false prophets (pseudoprophetai) will perform signs and wonders (semeia kai terata) potent enough to potentially deceive even God's elect.

Language and setting

The conditional 'if possible' (Greek: ei dunaton) implies that the elect are ultimately protected by God's sovereign grace, though the deception will be extraordinarily convincing.

Voice

Jesus warns about the supernatural deception of false messiahs and prophets.

Significance

Jesus escalates the warning: the coming deception will not be merely verbal but accompanied by miraculous signs, making discernment supremely difficult.

In context

Mark 13:20–24

20If the Lord had not cut short those days, nobody would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom He has chosen, He has cut them short.

21At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There He is!’ do not believe it.

22For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive even the elect, if that were possible.

23So be on your guard; I have told you everything in advance.

24But in those days, after that tribulation: ‘The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light;

Read all of Mark 13 — Jesus sits on the Mount of Olives and describes the end of the age. His final command is simple and relentless: stay alert.

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