Mark 13:22Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

In this passage, Christ warns, ‘Then ye shall not be deceived.’ This refers not to the period of Jerusalem's devastation but rather to the arrival of the Antichrist. He cautions, ‘Be not deceived,’ since many will claim to be followers of Christ in order to mislead even the chosen ones.

The adversary grows ever more bold: falsehood prevails, disorder escalates, deep jealousy ignites, greed obscures vision, dishonor skews perception, pride swells, conflict erupts, and fury leads to calamity. Steer clear of such matters, dear friends, keeping in mind the Lord's warning: But beware. Behold, I have told you beforehand. I urge you to distance yourselves from these individuals and prevent such harmful discourse from reaching your ears, for it is akin to the very grasp of death. The enemy of the altar, who rebels against Christ's sacrifice, substitutes deception for faith, sacrilege for devotion, and embodies disobedience and dishonor. This adversary, disdainful of bishops and neglecting the servants of God, now audaciously attempts to create another altar and introduce different prayers—through unacceptable pleas that undermine the sanctity of the Lord's sacrifice with fraudulent offerings.

As the God-Man spoke, the other disciples approached Him one by one, eager to hear His teaching, which was beneficial for all. "You must exercise great caution during these times," Jesus advised, "for the gravity of the trials will heighten your anticipation for the promised Savior, leading you to be swayed by any news regarding Him. This will provide an opportunity for those doomed to destruction to misappropriate the name of the Messiah. Be wary of anyone proclaiming, ‘Christ is here!’ or ‘He is over there!’ Do not let the astounding signs of false prophets mislead you. Some will perform such remarkable acts that, if possible, even the elect would be deceived. That is why I forewarn you, so you may remain steadfast against such deception (Mark 13:23).

The Lord described a series of alarming events, focusing particularly on the imminent judgement of God regarding Jerusalem. He stated, “As for Jerusalem, the certainty of its destruction is imminent, as the prophetic words of Daniel indicate that the abomination of desolation will manifest in the sacred place. Those who wish to escape this devastation must flee swiftly from Judea. Those who choose to remain will face tribulation unlike any seen since the dawn of creation. Additionally, there will arise false christs, but do not trust them. The Son of Man will come like lightning, not confined to any specific location or appearance, but as the embodiment of God’s judgement (Matthew 24:15-28). He will reveal the fullness of His glory at the culmination of the age (29-31).

This marks the third occasion where Jesus Christ cautions against deceivers. Initially (Mt. 4-5), He alerted us to false messiahs, followed by a warning in the second instance (Mt. 11) regarding false prophets within the Christian community. In this case, He addresses both false prophets and false messiahs together; the former mislead individuals, leading them into deserted areas or hidden places to purportedly reveal Christ. In the earlier passage (Lk. 24), Christ had referred to the period following the fall of Jerusalem, and prior warnings about deceivers before its destruction had already been stated. This final exhortation from Christ includes a revelation about how He will appear, along with a description of the culmination of His coming (Mt.

This time of trial will heighten the anticipation of the Messiah among the Jewish people, leading many to exploit this hope. False Messiahs and false prophets will emerge and perform counterfeit signs and wonders that are so closely resembling the genuine miracles that even those who have faith in me might be misled. Yet, do not place your trust in them! Take heed! For I have forewarned you about all these matters.

The timing of the final and terrifying event is a divine mystery, veiled even from angels. However, prior to this momentous occurrence, there will be a brief period during which numerous temptations will arise, and it is crucial that we remain vigilant. Deceivers will emerge, attempting to sway individuals through flattery and intimidation. Yet, it is essential for believers to remain firmly anchored in their faith in their Savior and Lord, persevering through all trials for His sake; those who endure until the end shall attain salvation.

The subsequent portion of the Saviour's discourse, shifting focus from immediate illustrations, addresses the foreboding occurrences at the end of times. St. John Chrysostom elucidates that after concluding His prophecy concerning Jerusalem, Christ turns to His second coming, sharing insights with His disciples that are pertinent not only to them but also to us and to every generation that will follow. The Lord then continues revealing future occurrences, stating, "if anyone says to you, ‘Here is Christ’ or ‘There he is,’ do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will emerge, performing great signs and wonders to mislead, if possible, even the chosen ones.