Matthew 24:11

And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

And {G2532} many {G4183} false prophets {G5578} shall rise {G1453}, and {G2532} shall deceive {G4105} many {G4183}.

many false prophets will appear and fool many people;

and many false prophets will arise and mislead many.

And many false prophets shall arise, and shall lead many astray.

Commentary

Matthew 24:11 is a solemn warning from Jesus Christ, delivered as part of His prophetic discourse on the Mount of Olives. In this verse, Jesus cautions His disciples about a significant sign of the end times: the rise of many false prophets who will lead countless people astray.

Context

This verse is found within the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24-25), where Jesus answers His disciples' questions about the destruction of the temple and the signs of His coming and the end of the age. Following His warnings about wars, famines, and persecutions (Matthew 24:6-8), Jesus emphasizes that spiritual deception will be a pervasive characteristic of the last days. This specific warning about false prophets is closely linked to the broader theme of deception that Jesus highlights throughout this chapter, including the caution that "many shall be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another" (Matthew 24:10).

Key Themes

  • The Proliferation of False Prophets: Jesus predicts an abundance of individuals claiming divine inspiration or prophetic authority who are not genuinely sent by God. These are not merely mistaken teachers but those who intentionally or unintentionally propagate falsehood, often for personal gain or to promote a distorted gospel.
  • Widespread Deception: The phrase "shall deceive many" underscores the effectiveness and reach of these false prophets. Their teachings will be persuasive, appealing to various desires or misunderstandings, leading a significant number of people away from biblical truth and sound doctrine. This deception can manifest in various forms, including false prophecies, altered interpretations of scripture, or misleading spiritual experiences.
  • A Clear End-Time Sign: The emergence and influence of false prophets are presented as a distinct indicator that the end is drawing near, requiring believers to exercise vigilance and spiritual discernment. This sign highlights the spiritual intensity and challenges that will characterize the period before Christ's return.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Greek term for "false prophets" is pseudoprophetai (ψευδοπροφῆται), a compound word combining pseudos ("false" or "lying") and prophētēs ("prophet"). It specifically denotes those who falsely claim to speak for God or interpret His will, often for self-serving motives or to lead others into error.
  • The word "deceive" comes from the Greek planēsōsin (πλανήσωσιν), which means "to cause to wander," "to lead astray," or "to mislead." It suggests a subtle, often alluring, leading away from truth, implying that the deception may not always be overtly malicious but can still have devastating consequences.

Related Scriptures

  • Warnings against false prophets are consistent throughout scripture. In the Old Testament, prophets like Jeremiah often denounced those who spoke "a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord" (Jeremiah 14:14).
  • Jesus Himself previously warned, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves" (Matthew 7:15), emphasizing that their true nature is revealed by their "fruits."
  • The Apostle Peter echoed this warning, stating that "there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies" (2 Peter 2:1).
  • The Apostle John also urged believers to "try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1), highlighting the need for spiritual discernment.

Practical Application

  • Cultivate Discernment: This verse calls believers to develop strong spiritual discernment, enabling them to evaluate teachings, prophecies, and spiritual claims against the unchanging standard of God's Word.
  • Know the Scriptures: A thorough and accurate understanding of the Bible is the most vital defense against deception. When one is deeply rooted in truth, falsehood becomes more readily apparent (Acts 17:11).
  • Examine the "Fruits": As Jesus taught, the true nature of false prophets is often revealed not just by their words but by their character, consistent behavior, and the outcomes of their ministry (Matthew 7:16).
  • Stay Grounded in Christ: In a world filled with spiritual confusion, remaining firmly connected to Jesus Christ and His authentic teachings is paramount to avoiding deception and standing firm in faith.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 24:24

    For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

  • Matthew 7:15

    Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

  • Matthew 24:5

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

  • 1 Timothy 4:1

    ¶ Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

  • Mark 13:22

    For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if [it were] possible, even the elect.

  • Revelation 19:20

    And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

  • 2 Peter 2:1

    ¶ But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
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