Matthew 24:26

Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, [he is] in the secret chambers; believe [it] not.

Wherefore {G3767} if {G1437} they shall say {G2036} unto you {G5213}, Behold {G2400}, he is {G2076} in {G1722} the desert {G2048}; go {G1831} not {G3361} forth {G1831}: behold {G2400}, he is in {G1722} the secret chambers {G5009}; believe {G4100} it not {G3361}.

So if people say to you, `Listen! He's out in the desert!' don't go; or, `Look! He's hidden away in a secret room!' don't believe it.

So if they tell you, ‘There He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it.

If therefore they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the wilderness; go not forth: Behold, he is in the inner chambers; believe it not.

Commentary

Matthew 24:26 is a vital warning from Jesus Christ, delivered during His Olivet Discourse, concerning the signs of the end times and His Second Coming. This verse specifically addresses the deceptive claims that will arise regarding His whereabouts.

Context of Matthew 24:26

This verse is part of Jesus’ extensive prophecy on the Mount of Olives, where He outlined the future events leading up to the destruction of the Temple and His glorious return. Following His predictions of initial tribulations and the rise of false Christs and prophets (Matthew 24:5, Matthew 24:24), Jesus warns His disciples not to be led astray by specific types of deceptive claims about His presence. The immediate context of the "great tribulation" (Matthew 24:21) makes this warning particularly urgent, as people might be desperate for a messianic figure.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Warning Against Deception: Jesus explicitly warns against those who would claim He is in a remote, hidden place. The phrases "in the desert" and "in the secret chambers" represent attempts to localize or privatize Christ's return, suggesting a clandestine or exclusive encounter.
  • The Public Nature of Christ's Return: This verse strongly implies that Christ's true return will not be hidden or secret. It sets the stage for the next verse, Matthew 24:27, which describes His coming as undeniably visible, "as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west."
  • Discernment and Patience: Believers are called to exercise extreme caution and discernment, trusting in the clear, public signs described by Jesus rather than following sensational, private claims.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Greek word for "desert" is erēmos, which can refer to a wilderness or desolate place. Historically, such areas were often used by prophets, ascetics, or even revolutionary leaders to gather followers away from public scrutiny.
  • "Secret chambers" translates from the Greek tameion, meaning an inner room, storeroom, or private chamber. This suggests a clandestine, exclusive, or hidden meeting place, contrasting sharply with the open, visible nature of Christ's actual return.

Practical Application

For believers today, Matthew 24:26 serves as a timeless reminder to:

  1. Be Skeptical of Secretive Claims: Any teaching or movement that suggests Christ's presence or return is confined to a specific geographic location, a hidden group, or a private revelation should be approached with extreme caution.
  2. Prioritize Biblical Truth: Ground your faith in the clear, public prophecies of Scripture regarding the Second Coming of Christ. His return will be a global, unmistakable event, not a private unveiling.
  3. Cultivate Discernment: In an age of widespread information and misinformation, the ability to discern truth from error is paramount. Rely on the Holy Spirit's guidance and the Word of God to avoid spiritual deception.

This verse underscores the importance of staying rooted in sound doctrine and not being swayed by sensational but false claims about Jesus' presence or imminent return.

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

  • Isaiah 40:3 (-2 votes)

    ¶ The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

  • Luke 3:2 (-2 votes)

    Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.

  • Luke 3:3 (-2 votes)

    And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;

  • Matthew 3:1 (-3 votes)

    ¶ In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

  • Acts 21:38 (-3 votes)

    Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?