Mark 13:21

KJV

And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here [is] Christ; or, lo, [he is] there; believe [him] not:

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} then {G5119} if {G1437} any man {G5100} shall say {G2036} to you {G5213}, Lo {G2400}, here {G5602} is Christ {G5547}; or {G2228}, lo {G2400}, he is there {G1563}; believe {G4100} him not {G3361}:

Complete Jewish Bible

"At that time, if anyone says to you, `Look! Here's the Messiah!' or, `See, there he is!' -- don't believe him!

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

And then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is the Christ; or, Lo, there; believe it not:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Mark 13:21, Jesus issues a crucial warning to His disciples regarding the deceptive claims that will arise concerning His return during the tumultuous period leading up to the end times. He explicitly instructs them not to believe anyone who asserts that the Christ is present in a specific, localized, or hidden place, thereby emphasizing the public and unmistakable nature of His true advent and safeguarding His followers from false messianic movements.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Mark 13, often referred to as the "Olivet Discourse," is Jesus' comprehensive prophecy concerning the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple, the signs of the end of the age, and His second coming. This chapter begins with the disciples marveling at the Temple's grandeur, prompting Jesus' stark prediction of its complete demolition ([Mark 13:1-2](/mark/13-1-2 "Mark 13:1-2 - Jesus Predicts the Temple's Destruction")). Following this, Peter, James, John, and Andrew privately ask Him when these things will happen and what signs will precede them ([Mark 13:3-4](/mark/13-3-4 "Mark 13:3-4 - Disciples Ask About the End")). Jesus' discourse then unfolds, detailing a series of escalating tribulations, including false Christs and prophets ([Mark 13:5-6](/mark/13-5-6 "Mark 13:5-6 - Warning Against Deception")), wars, earthquakes, and famines ([Mark 13:7-8](/mark/13-7-8 "Mark 13:7-8 - Birth Pangs of the New Age")), and persecution of believers ([Mark 13:9-13](/mark/13-9-13 "Mark 13:9-13 - Persecution and Endurance")). Verse 21 falls within the section where Jesus specifically warns against the intense deception that will characterize the "great tribulation" ([Mark 13:19](/mark/13-19 "Mark 13:19 - The Great Tribulation")), immediately after His instruction to flee Judea when the "abomination of desolation" appears ([Mark 13:14-20](/mark/13-14-20 "Mark 13:14-20 - The Abomination of Desolation")). The warning in [Mark 13:21](/mark/13-21 "Mark 13:21 - Warning Against False Christs") serves as a direct counterpoint to the allure of secret or localized messianic claims, setting the stage for His description of His undeniably public and cosmic return in [Mark 13:24-27](/mark/13-24-27 "Mark 13:24-27 - The Coming of the Son of Man").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Judea was a volatile region under Roman occupation, rife with messianic expectations and nationalistic fervor. Many Jews longed for a political deliverer who would overthrow Roman rule and restore the Davidic kingdom. This environment naturally fostered the emergence of various individuals claiming to be the Messiah or prophetic figures, often gathering followings in specific locales or through secret movements. The Jewish people, having experienced centuries of foreign domination and yearning for liberation, were particularly susceptible to such claims, especially during times of political instability or religious persecution. Jesus' warning in [Mark 13:21](/mark/13-21 "Mark 13:21 - Warning Against False Christs") directly addresses this cultural predisposition, cautioning His disciples against the temptation to follow such localized or clandestine messianic figures, which would inevitably lead to deception and spiritual ruin. The emphasis on "here" or "there" reflects the common practice of such movements operating in specific, often remote, areas or claiming a hidden presence.

* **Key Themes:** This verse significantly contributes to several overarching themes within Mark's Gospel and the Olivet Discourse. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Discernment and Vigilance**, urging believers to be spiritually alert and not easily swayed by sensational claims, especially concerning the end times. Jesus repeatedly emphasizes the need for His followers to "watch out" ([Mark 13:5](/mark/13-5 "Mark 13:5 - Be on Guard")) and "stay awake" ([Mark 13:37](/mark/13-37 "Mark 13:37 - Stay Awake")). Secondly, it reinforces the theme of **The Nature of Christ's Return**, clearly distinguishing His true, universally visible Second Coming from any false, localized, or secret appearances. This theme is further developed in [Mark 13:24-27](/mark/13-24-27 "Mark 13:24-27 - The Coming of the Son of Man"), where His return is depicted as a cosmic event. Thirdly, the verse highlights the pervasive theme of **Deception and False Prophets**, a recurring concern throughout the discourse ([Mark 13:6](/mark/13-6 "Mark 13:6 - False Christs") and [Mark 13:22](/mark/13-22 "Mark 13:22 - False Prophets and Wonders")). Jesus' explicit command "believe him not" serves as a protective measure against the spiritual dangers posed by those who would lead His followers astray with false claims about His presence or identity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Christ (Greek, _Christós'_):** From `χρίω` (chrio), meaning "anointed." This term is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew "Messiah." It refers to the promised deliverer, the "Anointed One" of God, who would fulfill the Old Testament prophecies. In this context, Jesus is warning against false claimants to this title, those who would present themselves as the true Messiah or claim to know His hidden whereabouts. The very use of "Christ" here highlights the ultimate deception: usurping the identity of the true Anointed One.
* **Lo! (Greek, _idoú'_):** The second person singular imperative middle voice of `εἴδω` (eidō), meaning "to see." Used as an imperative, it functions as an exclamation: "Behold!" or "Look!" Its presence in the false claims ("Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there") indicates a dramatic, attention-grabbing announcement, often implying a special, exclusive revelation or discovery. Jesus' warning to "believe him not" directly counters the persuasive power of such exclamations.
* **Believe (Greek, _pisteúō'_):** From `πίστις` (pistis), meaning "faith." To have faith, to credit, to entrust one's spiritual well-being. Jesus' command "believe him not" is a strong negation, instructing His disciples to withhold their trust and conviction from such claims. It's not merely a suggestion to doubt, but a direct imperative to reject outright any assertion that Christ is present in a secret or localized manner, emphasizing the spiritual danger of such misplaced belief.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And then if any man shall say to you,"**: This introductory clause sets the stage for a future scenario. The "then" (`tóte`) indicates a specific time, likely referring to the period of tribulation Jesus has just described. The conditional "if" (`eán`) suggests a strong possibility, almost a certainty, that such claims will indeed arise. It implies a direct address to the disciples, and by extension, to all believers, indicating that they will personally encounter these deceptive messages.
* **"Lo, here [is] Christ;"**: This is the first of two specific deceptive claims. "Lo" (`idoú`) is an exclamation designed to draw immediate attention, pointing to a supposed physical presence. The claim "here is Christ" suggests a localized, perhaps hidden or exclusive, manifestation of the Messiah. It implies that His presence is not universally evident but requires special knowledge or proximity to discover.
* **"or, lo, [he is] there;"**: This clause presents an alternative, yet equally deceptive, claim. The repetition of "lo" (`idoú`) reinforces the attention-grabbing nature of the announcement. "There" (`ekeî`) broadens the scope of the localized claim, indicating another specific, limited location. Together, "here" and "there" cover the range of specific, non-universal claims about Christ's presence, whether nearby or at a distance.
* **"believe [him] not:"**: This is Jesus' unequivocal and emphatic command. The Greek `mḗ` (`μή`) is a strong particle of qualified negation, used here to prohibit an action. It's not merely a suggestion to be cautious, but a direct and absolute prohibition against giving credence or faith to such claims. This command serves as a vital safeguard for His followers against spiritual deception and false messianic movements.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 13:21 employs several key literary devices to convey its urgent message. The most prominent is **Direct Command**, as Jesus unequivocally states, "believe him not." This imperative mood leaves no room for ambiguity, demanding immediate and absolute obedience from His disciples. **Repetition** is also evident in the phrase "Lo, here... or, lo, there," which highlights the deceptive nature of these claims by presenting them as two sides of the same coin – both pointing to a localized, hidden Christ. This repetition serves to emphasize the specific type of false teaching Jesus is warning against. Furthermore, the verse functions as a **Warning**, a pervasive literary and thematic element throughout the Olivet Discourse, preparing the disciples for the spiritual dangers they will face. Finally, there is an implicit **Antithesis** between the false, localized claims of Christ's presence and the true, universally visible nature of His Second Coming, which Jesus describes immediately after this warning.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 13:21 serves as a critical theological anchor, emphasizing the distinct and public nature of Christ's true return, in stark contrast to any localized or secret manifestations. It underscores the divine imperative for believers to exercise spiritual discernment, especially in times of eschatological fervor or tribulation. The theological implication is that God's ultimate redemptive act, the return of His Son, will not be a clandestine event requiring special revelation or hidden knowledge, but a universally undeniable display of divine power and glory. This warning protects against the spiritual dangers of cults and false messianic movements that prey on human longing for immediate solutions or exclusive access to truth, redirecting faith towards the clear, prophetic word of Christ.

* [Matthew 24:23-26](/matthew/24-23-26 "Matthew 24:23-26 - Parallel Warning Against False Christs")
* [Luke 17:23-24](/luke/17-23-24 "Luke 17:23-24 - The Visible Coming of the Son of Man")
* [2 Thessalonians 2:9-12](/2_thessalonians/2-9-12 "2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 - The Lawless One's Deception")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In an age saturated with information and competing truth claims, Jesus' warning in Mark 13:21 remains profoundly relevant. It calls believers to cultivate a robust spiritual discernment, rooted in the unchanging truth of God's Word, rather than being swayed by sensational claims or charismatic personalities. We are reminded that authentic spiritual experience and the true coming of Christ are not found in secret gatherings, exclusive knowledge, or localized phenomena, but in the public, historical revelation of Jesus Christ and His promised return. This verse challenges us to test every spirit and every teaching against the clear declarations of Scripture, guarding our hearts and minds against deception. It encourages us to find our security not in fleeting signs or human pronouncements, but in the steadfast character and revealed plan of God, patiently waiting for the undeniable and glorious appearing of our Lord.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I discern between genuine spiritual movements and deceptive claims in today's world?**
* **What are some modern-day "Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there" claims that I need to be wary of?**
* **How does my understanding of Christ's public return influence my daily walk and my evangelistic efforts?**
* **In what ways might I be susceptible to believing something that sounds spiritual but deviates from biblical truth?**

### FAQ
**Why is Jesus so emphatic about not believing these claims?**

Answer: Jesus is emphatic because believing such claims would lead to profound spiritual deception and ultimately, apostasy. His true return will be a universally visible, cosmic event, not a localized or secret appearance that requires special knowledge or a specific pilgrimage to find. False claims of His hidden presence are designed to mislead and gather followers to false messiahs, diverting people from the truth and the true hope of His glorious Second Coming. The danger is so great that Jesus issues a direct and absolute command to "believe him not," protecting His disciples from falling prey to these powerful deceptions during a time of intense tribulation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 13:21, while a warning against deception, ultimately points to the unique and unparalleled nature of Christ's true advent. The very necessity of the warning highlights that the genuine return of the Messiah will be fundamentally different from any localized or secret appearance. This prophecy finds its ultimate fulfillment in the New Testament's consistent portrayal of Jesus' Second Coming as a universally visible and undeniable event. Unlike the false Christs who claim to be "here" or "there," the Son of Man will come "with great power and glory" ([Mark 13:26](/mark/13-26 "Mark 13:26 - The Coming of the Son of Man")), "like lightning that flashes from the east to the west" ([Matthew 24:27](/matthew/24-27 "Matthew 24:27 - The Visible Coming of the Son of Man")). Every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him ([Revelation 1:7](/revelation/1-7 "Revelation 1:7 - Every Eye Will See Him")). This public, cosmic return of Christ ensures that no one will need to be told "Lo, here is Christ!" for His presence will be unmistakable to all. Thus, Jesus' warning in [Mark 13:21](/mark/13-21 "Mark 13:21 - Warning Against False Christs") not only protects His followers from imposters but also implicitly affirms the glorious, public, and universally acknowledged nature of His final, triumphant return as the King of kings and Lord of lords ([Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11-16 "Revelation 19:11-16 - Christ's Triumphant Return")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 24:23

Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here [is] Christ, or there; believe [it] not.

Matthew 24:25

Behold, I have told you before.

Luke 21:8

And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am [Christ]; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.

Matthew 24:5

For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

Luke 17:23

And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after [them], nor follow [them].

Luke 17:24

For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one [part] under heaven, shineth unto the other [part] under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day.

Deuteronomy 13:1

¶ If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder,