Matthew 24:23 Meaning: When They Say 'Here Is Christ'
“Then if any man tells you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘There!’ don’t believe it.
Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is the Christ, or, Here; believe it not.
`Then if any one may say to you, Lo, here is the Christ! or here! ye may not believe;
Then if any one say to you, Behold, here is the Christ, or here, believe [it] not.
Meaning in one sentence
In Matthew 24:23, Jesus warns not to believe claims that the Messiah has appeared in secret, because his true return will be unmistakable.
Context
Jesus is speaking on the Mount of Olives, answering his disciples' questions about the end of the age and the destruction of the temple. He has just described a time of great suffering and warned of false prophets. Now he turns to a specific danger: people will come claiming that the Messiah has appeared in some hidden place, here or there. His warning is direct: do not believe them. The reason becomes clear in the next verses: when the Son of Man truly returns, no one will need to point him out. His coming will be as visible as lightning.
Key Words
The Greek word for "Christ" here is Christos, meaning "the Anointed One." It was the title Israel used for the promised deliverer. False claimants will take that name for themselves, but Jesus warns that the real Messiah has already come and will return in glory. The verb "believe" is pisteuō, which means more than agreeing with a fact. It means placing your trust, your whole weight, on something. Jesus tells his disciples not to place that kind of trust in any rumor of a hidden Messiah. And the little word "behold" (idou) is often used to seize attention. When someone says "Behold, here is Christ!" it sounds urgent. But Jesus says the real sign of his coming needs no such announcement.
How Christians Read This Verse
Readers across Christian traditions have understood this warning in two main ways. Some, like Adam Clarke, read it primarily as a historical warning for the first-century disciples, when many false messiahs appeared during the Jewish revolt against Rome. Others, following John Calvin, see it as a permanent caution for the church: in every age, false teachers will arise claiming to have found the Christ in a new revelation or a secret location. Both readings agree on the main point: Jesus' true return will not be a hidden event. His command to "believe it not" applies to any claim that contradicts that promise.
A common misunderstanding
A common misunderstanding is that this verse forbids Christians from believing that Christ is present anywhere on earth, such as in special experiences or locations. In fact, the warning is specifically about individuals claiming to be the Messiah or to have located him in hiding, not about Christ's promised presence with his people. The next verse makes this clear: false christs will perform signs and wonders to deceive, but the real Christ will come publicly.
Living This Out
This week, you might hear someone make a dramatic claim about the end times: a special dream, a prophecy about Christ appearing in a certain country, a secret message. When that happens, remember this verse. You don't need to investigate every rumor. Jesus has already told you what to expect. He is coming again, and when he does, no one will need to point him out. Let that settled truth calm your heart. If a claim tries to draw you away from the clear words of Scripture, you already know what to do.
Main takeaway: Do not trust anyone who claims the Messiah has appeared in secret. When Christ returns, everyone will see him.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Some people might say, "Come see, Jesus is here!" or "He's over there!" But Jesus said, "Don't believe them." When Jesus comes back, everyone will see him in the sky. So you don't have to look in secret places.
For ages 9, 12
Jesus warned his friends that before he returns, there would be people who pretend to be the Messiah or claim to know where he is hiding. But Jesus said not to follow them. His real return will be like a flash of lightning that lights up the whole sky. No one will need to announce it because everyone will see it. So don't be tricked by secret messages or special claims about Christ's location. Trust what Jesus has already told you in the Bible, and wait for him patiently.
Questions People Ask
What does Matthew 24:23 mean?
In this verse, Jesus warns his followers not to believe anyone who says the Messiah has appeared in a specific hidden location. This warning is part of his larger teaching about the end times and the destruction of Jerusalem. The key point is that Christ's true return will be public and unmistakable, unlike the secret claims of false messiahs.
Who were the false christs Jesus warned about?
The immediate context points to messianic claimants during the first-century Jewish revolt, such as those mentioned by the historian Josephus. Later figures like Simon Magus and Bar Kochba also claimed to be the Messiah. Jesus' warning is that these impostors will arise and perform signs to deceive, but believers should not be led astray.
How can we apply Matthew 24:23 to our lives today?
We can apply this by being cautious of any teacher or prophecy that claims to have exclusive knowledge about Christ's location or the timing of his return. Jesus has already told us that his coming will be visible to all, like lightning. Therefore, we should not chase after secret revelations but trust the clear promises of Scripture.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study