Devine Scripture

Matthew 24:4

What does Matthew 24:4 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 24:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 24:4 means

Jesus begins His answer to His disciples' questions with a crucial warning: "Take heed that no man lead you astray." This immediately establishes the danger of deception as a primary concern for believers living in the last days. It underscores the importance of spiritual discernment and remaining firmly grounded in Christ's teachings, anticipating the rise of false prophets and false Christs that He will elaborate on in subsequent verses. The call to be vigilant is a foundational principle for navigating the times.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man lead you astray.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man lead you astray.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And Jesus said to them in answer, Take care that you are not tricked.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Jesus answering said to them, `Take heed that no one may lead you astray,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And Jesus answering, said to them: Take heed that no man seduce you.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Jesus answering said to them, See that no one mislead you.

Context

This verse initiates Jesus' detailed reply to the disciples' questions, starting with a direct caution against deception. This warning serves as an overarching principle, immediately followed by specific examples of how such leading astray might occur, particularly through false Christs, setting the stage for the various signs of the end that Jesus will describe.

v.3And as he sat on the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

v.4This passage

v.5For many shall come in my name, saying, I am the Christ; and shall lead many astray.

Cross references

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

  • 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.

  • 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 4:14

    that we may be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error;

  • 2 Peter 2:1

    But there arose false prophets also among the people, as among you also there shall be false teachers, who shall privily bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master that bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.

  • Mark 13:22

    for there shall arise false Christs and false prophets, and shall show signs and wonders, that they may lead astray, if possible, the elect.

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