Devine Scripture

Luke 21:8

What does Luke 21:8 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 21:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 21:8 means

Jesus' initial warning to His disciples is to "Take heed that ye be not led astray." He cautions them about false messiahs and those claiming to know the precise timing of the end. Many will come in His name, asserting, "I am he" or proclaiming, "The time is at hand." Jesus advises them not to follow such individuals. This emphasizes critical discernment and a reliance on His true words, rather than being swayed by deceptive spiritual movements.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he said, Take heed that ye be not led astray: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am he; and, The time is at hand: go ye not after them.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he said, Take heed that ye be not led astray: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am he; and, The time is at hand: go ye not after them.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he said, Take care that you are not tricked: for a number of people will come in my name, saying, I am he; and, The time is near: do not go after them.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And he said, `See--ye may not be led astray, for many shall come in my name, saying--I am <FI>he<Fi> , and the time hath come nigh; go not on then after them;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Who said: Take heed you be not seduced: for many will come in my name, saying: I am he and the time is at hand. Go ye not therefore after them.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he said, See that ye be not led astray, for many shall come in my name, saying, I am [he], and the time is drawn nigh: go ye not [therefore] after them.

Context

This verse begins Jesus' detailed response to the disciples' questions from verse 7. Before outlining the specific signs, Jesus first issues a crucial warning against deception, highlighting the importance of spiritual discernment. This serves as a foundational caution for navigating the challenges of the end times, preparing the disciples for the more specific prophecies about wars, natural disasters, and persecution that follow.

v.7And they asked him, saying, Teacher, when therefore shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when these things are about to come to pass?

v.8This passage

v.9And when ye shall hear of wars and tumults, be not terrified: for these things must needs come to pass first; but the end is not immediately.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 8:9

    But there was a certain man, Simon by name, who beforetime in the city used sorcery, and amazed the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:

  • Revelation 12:9

    And the great dragon was cast down, the old serpent, he that is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world; he was cast down to the earth, and his angels were cast down with him.

  • 1 John 4:1

    Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:3

    let no man beguile you in any wise: for it will not be, except the falling away come first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition,

  • Jeremiah 29:8

    For thus saith Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel: Let not your prophets that are in the midst of you, and your diviners, deceive you; neither hearken ye to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed.

  • Ephesians 5:6

    Let no man deceive you with empty words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience.

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