Matthew 24:25Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

As the disciples raised two inquiries regarding the fate of Jerusalem and the return of the Lord, the Lord, after discussing the devastation of Jerusalem, begins to prophesy about His return and the culmination of the age. The term ‘then’ does not imply an immediate sequence after Jerusalem's downfall; rather, it signifies the period when these events will occur. The implication is that ‘then,’ referring to the time of the Antichrist’s emergence, numerous false Christs and false prophets will arise, captivating onlookers with awe-inspiring displays of demonic power and misleading many. Even the righteous, if not vigilant, may be susceptible to such deception. However, take heed, for I have warned you, and therefore you have no justification; you have the opportunity to evade this deception.

Should anyone assure you that Christ resides in the desolation of the Gentiles or in the concealed teachings of heretics who claim to reveal the mysteries of God, do not venture out, nor should you place your faith in them. Additionally, if someone seeks to elevate themselves in the name of Christ, do not rush to trust them, for in periods of trial and hardship, false prophets consistently exploit opportunities for deception.

False messengers will emerge, proclaiming that Christ is in the wilderness and leading many astray through their deceptions. They will declare that Christ is in secret places, ensnaring those who hear with fear regarding the Most High. However, Christ, like a bolt of lightning, disperses His radiant light across the entire earth; He does not wander in desolate areas nor seeks refuge. "Do I not fill heaven and earth?" says the Lord (Jeremiah 23:24). His brilliance shines forth so that we might witness the splendor of the resurrection on that night.

He communicates in a manner that provides them with additional reassurance. In the Gospel of Mark (Mark 13:23), He states, ‘But watch ye: behold, I have spoken all things unto you before, concerning the deceivers.’ Through the apostles, He conveys this message to their followers, as previously noted. It is important to recognize that He addresses the apostles regarding the fall of Jerusalem as well as His return, designating them as the leaders of the new community, aware that they will proclaim these truths and record them to affirm His prophecies concerning Jerusalem’s destruction and to encourage the faithful who will await His return.

This is the reason I share these words with you, declares the Lord. I have warned you in advance so that you may remain steadfast against falsehood.

The Lord conveyed a series of ominous events, focusing particularly on the impending judgment of God regarding Jerusalem. He stated, “As for Jerusalem, the certainty of its destruction is near, when the abomination of desolation, as prophesied by Daniel, will manifest in the holy place. Consequently, anyone who desires to evade this devastation must flee immediately from Judea. Those who choose to remain will undergo a tribulation unprecedented since the dawn of time. There will also be false messiahs among you; do not be deceived by them. The Son of Man will come like lightning, not confined to a specific location or form, but as the execution of divine judgment (Matthew 24:15-28). His glorious revelation will be evident at the culmination of the age (29-31).

This marks the third occasion on which Jesus Christ has issued warnings about deceivers. In the initial instance (Mt. 4-5), He cautioned against false messiahs; in the subsequent instance (Mt. 11), He alerted against false prophets within the Christian community. Here, He warns against both false prophets and false messiahs simultaneously. The former serve the motives of the latter by misleading individuals and inviting them to the wilderness or to secluded locations, claiming they can reveal Christ there. Given that in the previous passage (Lk. 24), Christ referred to the events following the destruction of Jerusalem and that earlier prophecies about deceivers prior to this tragedy had already been proclaimed, this final warning includes details about how He will manifest Himself.

Do not place your trust in them! Stay alert! Look, I have provided you with all the information in advance.

"I declared in advance": a promise that the predictions made would undoubtedly be fulfilled, and a reminder to remain vigilant and discerning.

The subsequent portion of the Saviour's discourse shifts away from immediate imagery and focuses on the terrifying occurrences of the end times. St. John Chrysostom clarifies that after concluding His prophecy regarding Jerusalem, Christ transitions to speaking about His return. He shares signs that are relevant not only to the disciples but also to us and to all future generations. The Lord continues to reveal what will come, 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 lead astray, if that were possible, even the elect.