Matthew 24:26
What does Matthew 24:26 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 24:26 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 24:26 means
Jesus gives specific instructions regarding the deceptive claims of His return: "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." He warns against believing rumors of His secluded presence, whether in hidden wilderness locations or private rooms. This teaches that His true return will not be secret or confined to a particular place, debunking any claims of a clandestine advent. It emphasizes that His coming will be public and unmistakable, contrasting with the deceptive practices of false Christs.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000If 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Wherefore 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901If 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949If, then, they say to you, See, he is in the waste land; go not out: See, he is in the inner rooms; put no faith in it.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`If therefore they may say to you, Lo, in the wilderness he is, ye may not go forth; lo, in the inner chambers, ye may not believe;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752If therefore they shall say to you, Behold he is in the desert: go ye not out. Behold he is in the closets: believe it not.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890If therefore they say to you, Behold, he is in the desert, go not forth; behold, [he is] in the inner chambers, do not believe [it].
Context
Following the general assurance of foreknowledge in verse 25, this verse provides concrete, practical advice on recognizing false claims about Christ's hidden return. These specific examples of where false Christs might be said to appear create a direct contrast with the true, universally observable nature of His coming, which is immediately described in the subsequent verse.
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