Matthew 24:25

KJV

Behold, I have told you before.

KJV (with Strong's)

Behold {G2400}, I have told {G4280} you {G5213} before {G4280}.

Complete Jewish Bible

There! I have told you in advance!

Berean Standard Bible

See, I have told you in advance.

American Standard Version

Behold, I have told you beforehand.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 24:25 serves as a potent, concise declaration from Jesus Christ within the Olivet Discourse, reinforcing His prior explicit warnings about the pervasive deceptions that will characterize the end times. It underscores His divine omniscience and His profound pastoral care, providing His disciples with crucial advance notice to equip them for discernment and steadfastness amidst the powerful spiritual counterfeits that are prophesied to arise.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the profound and eschatological discourse delivered by Jesus on the Mount of Olives, spanning [Matthew 24](/matthew/24 "Matthew 24 - The Olivet Discourse") and [Matthew 25](/matthew/25 "Matthew 25 - Parables of the End Times"). This discourse directly responds to the disciples' inquiries regarding the destruction of the Temple and the signs of Jesus' coming and the end of the age, as recorded in [Matthew 24:3](/matthew/24-3 "Matthew 24:3 - Disciples' Questions"). Immediately preceding [Matthew 24:25](/matthew/24-25 "Matthew 24:25 - Jesus' Forewarning"), Jesus issues a stark and urgent warning against the emergence of "false Christs and false prophets" who will perform "great signs and wonders" with the intent to deceive, "if possible, even the elect" ([Matthew 24:24](/matthew/24-24 "Matthew 24:24 - Warning Against Deception")). Therefore, Jesus' declaration, "Behold, I have told you before," functions as an emphatic reiteration and a solemn reminder, emphasizing that these are not new or surprising revelations, but rather deliberate, pre-emptive warnings given out of His deep concern for His followers' spiritual safety and their ability to discern truth from error.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus' Olivet Discourse was delivered to His disciples on the Mount of Olives, overlooking the city of Jerusalem and its magnificent Temple. This setting itself was highly symbolic, as the Temple's imminent destruction was a primary topic of their discussion. The Jewish people of that era lived under Roman occupation, a period often marked by Messianic fervor and the emergence of various revolutionary or prophetic figures. The cultural landscape was ripe for individuals claiming divine authority or offering liberation. Within this context, the disciples, steeped in Old Testament prophecies and Messianic expectations, would have been particularly susceptible to false claims, especially if accompanied by impressive signs. Jesus' warnings about false prophets and Christs would have resonated with their historical experiences and prophetic traditions, urging them to exercise extreme caution and rely solely on His authoritative teaching.

* **Key Themes:** [Matthew 24:25](/matthew/24-25 "Matthew 24:25 - Jesus' Prior Warning") contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Olivet Discourse and the broader book of Matthew. First, it highlights **Divine Forewarning**, showcasing Jesus' omniscience as He graciously reveals future dangers to His followers, particularly the insidious nature of spiritual deception. Second, it underscores the critical importance of **Spiritual Discernment**, as the forewarning serves to equip believers with the necessary insight to distinguish divine truth from powerful lies and miraculous deceptions that will inevitably emerge ([Matthew 24:24](/matthew/24-24 "Matthew 24:24 - The Deception of False Prophets")). Third, the phrase "I have told you before" emphasizes the **Sufficiency and Reliability of Christ's Words**. His teachings are presented as the ultimate, unchanging standard by which all claims, even those accompanied by signs and wonders, should be rigorously judged. Finally, this verse is integral to the theme of **Preparation for the End Times**, serving as a call to vigilance and steadfastness, ensuring that His disciples are not caught off guard by the intensity and deceptive power of the events leading up to His glorious second coming ([Matthew 24:36-44](/matthew/24-36-44 "Matthew 24:36-44 - The Unexpected Return")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Behold (Greek, _idoú'_):** This is an emphatic interjection, derived from the second person singular imperative middle voice of *eidō* (to see). It functions as an attention-grabbing exclamation, equivalent to "Look!", "Pay attention!", or "Mark my words!" In this context, Jesus uses it to draw His disciples' immediate and serious attention to the crucial nature of the warning that follows, signaling that what He is about to say, or has just said, is of utmost importance and requires their full comprehension and retention.
* **told you before (Greek, _proeréō'_):** This word is a compound from *pro* (before) and *eréō* (to say), meaning "to say already," "to predict," or "to speak in advance." In the KJV, it translates the perfect active indicative of *proeréō*, emphasizing that the action of telling them was completed in the past, and its results—the warning and their knowledge of it—continue into the present. This conveys a sense of definitive, prior instruction and underscores Jesus' foreknowledge and the unchangeable nature of His prophetic pronouncements.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Behold":** This opening interjection serves as a powerful call to attention, signaling the gravity and importance of the statement that follows. It demands immediate focus from the disciples, emphasizing that the truth Jesus is about to reiterate is not to be taken lightly but must be deeply ingrained in their understanding.
* **"I have told you before":** This declarative statement highlights Jesus' divine foreknowledge and His deliberate, pre-emptive warnings. The perfect tense of "have told" signifies a completed action in the past with ongoing relevance and effect in the present. Jesus is not introducing new information, but reminding them of truths He has already imparted, thereby underscoring the reliability and sufficiency of His prior instruction concerning the coming deceptions. It serves as both a confirmation of His omniscience and a pastoral act of equipping His followers.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 24:25, though brief, effectively employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Emphasis**, achieved through the use of the Greek interjection *idoú* ("Behold"). This word acts as a spotlight, drawing the listener's immediate and undivided attention to the crucial warning being given. Furthermore, the very phrase "I have told you before" serves as a form of **Repetition** (or reiteration), reinforcing the gravity and certainty of Jesus' prior warnings about false prophets and Christs. This repetition is not redundant but rather serves to underscore the importance of remembering and heeding His words. The verse also functions as a form of **Exhortation**, implicitly urging the disciples to internalize His teachings and remain vigilant. Finally, it contains elements of **Foreshadowing**, as Jesus' words prepare His listeners for the intense spiritual warfare and deceptive tactics that will characterize the end times, ensuring they are not caught off guard by the powerful, yet counterfeit, signs and wonders that will emerge.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 24:25 powerfully connects to the broader biblical theme of God's character as a warning God, who, out of His infinite love and sovereignty, reveals future dangers to His people. Just as He warned Noah of the flood, Abraham of Sodom's judgment, and the prophets of Israel's impending exile, Jesus, as the ultimate Prophet, forewarns His disciples of the spiritual perils of the end times. This forewarning is not to instill fear but to cultivate discernment and steadfastness, enabling believers to stand firm in truth amidst a world increasingly susceptible to powerful deceptions. It underscores the ongoing spiritual battle and the necessity of being grounded in divine revelation, rather than being swayed by outward appearances or miraculous displays that lack the endorsement of God's unchanging Word.

* [Deuteronomy 18:20-22](/deuteronomy/18-20-22 "Deuteronomy 18:20-22 - Testing a Prophet")
* [1 John 4:1](/1_john/4-1 "1 John 4:1 - Test the Spirits")
* [2 Peter 3:17](/2_peter/3-17 "2 Peter 3:17 - Forewarned is Forearmed")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jesus' concise declaration in [Matthew 24:25](/matthew/24-25 "Matthew 24:25 - The Importance of Heeding Warnings") carries profound implications for believers today, serving as a timeless call to vigilance and spiritual preparedness. In an age saturated with information, competing worldviews, and various spiritual claims, the necessity of discernment is paramount. Just as Jesus prepared His first disciples, He has provided us with His complete and authoritative Word, the Bible, as our ultimate guide. Our primary application must be a diligent and prayerful immersion in Scripture, allowing it to shape our understanding of truth and expose error. This verse challenges us to cultivate a robust spiritual discernment, actively seeking wisdom from the Holy Spirit to "test everything; hold fast what is good" ([1_thessalonians/5-21](/1_thessalonians/5-21 "1 Thessalonians 5:21 - Test Everything")). Our security lies not in our own cleverness or ability to outsmart deception, but in our unwavering trust in Christ's words as the final authority and our reliance on His Spirit to illuminate our paths. We are called to live in a state of readiness, not fear, grounded in the Gospel, and eagerly awaiting the blessed hope of Christ's glorious return, knowing that He has already given us ample warning and guidance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' emphasis on "I have told you before" deepen my appreciation for His divine foreknowledge and pastoral care?**
* **In what specific areas of my life or current cultural climate do I most need to apply spiritual discernment, as prompted by this warning?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure my reliance is firmly on Christ's words, rather than being swayed by persuasive but false teachings?**
* **How does living in a state of preparedness, based on Jesus' warnings, impact my daily walk and my hope for the future?**

### FAQ

**Why does Jesus emphasize "I have told you before" in this context?**

Answer: Jesus emphasizes "I have told you before" to underscore several critical points. First, it highlights His divine omniscience; He knows the future and is graciously revealing it to His disciples. Second, it serves as a powerful reminder that these warnings are not new or surprising revelations but a reiteration of truths He has already imparted, making the disciples accountable for heeding them. This removes any excuse for being deceived, as they have been adequately forewarned. Third, it reinforces the authority and sufficiency of His words as the ultimate standard against which all claims, even those accompanied by miraculous signs, must be judged. It's a pastoral act, equipping His followers to navigate the treacherous spiritual landscape of the end times by firmly grounding them in His reliable teaching. The Lord consistently warns His people, as seen in passages like [Amos 3:7](/amos/3-7 "Amos 3:7 - God Reveals His Plan to His Servants"), where He declares that He does nothing without revealing His secret to His servants the prophets.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[Matthew 24:25](/matthew/24-25 "Matthew 24:25 - Jesus' Prophetic Warning") finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus' role as the ultimate Prophet, Shepherd, and the very embodiment of Truth. His forewarning, "Behold, I have told you before," is not merely a piece of information but an act of profound pastoral care from the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep ([John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - The Good Shepherd")). As the "way, and the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")), Jesus Himself is the antidote to all deception. His warnings are a testament to His unwavering commitment to preserve His elect, not through their own cleverness, but through their reliance on Him and His indwelling Holy Spirit, who guides believers into all truth ([John 16:13](/john/16-13 "John 16:13 - The Spirit of Truth")). The ultimate fulfillment of these warnings culminates in His glorious second coming ([Titus 2:13](/titus/2-13 "Titus 2:13 - The Blessed Hope")), when all deception will be vanquished, and His people will dwell securely with Him forever, having been preserved by His sovereign power and His faithful Word.

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

John 16:1

¶ These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.

Luke 21:13

And it shall turn to you for a testimony.

Isaiah 46:10

Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times [the things] that are not [yet] done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

Isaiah 46:11

Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken [it], I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed [it], I will also do it.

Isaiah 48:5

I have even from the beginning declared [it] to thee; before it came to pass I shewed [it] thee: lest thou shouldest say, Mine idol hath done them, and my graven image, and my molten image, hath commanded them.

Isaiah 48:6

Thou hast heard, see all this; and will not ye declare [it]? I have shewed thee new things from this time, even hidden things, and thou didst not know them.

Isaiah 44:7

And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and shall come, let them shew unto them.