Matthew 24:5 Meaning: Why Deceivers Come in Christ's Name

The little phrase “in my name” carries more weight than we might think. The Greek preposition epi with the dative doesn’t mean “using my name like a badge.” It means “on the strength of” or “resting their claims on” the title Messiah. These deceivers are not just pretending to be sent by Jesus. They claim to be Him.

The verb for “lead astray” is planao. It originally meant to wander or roam, like someone who has lost the path. It is the same word used for sheep going astray. The deception is not a small mistake; it pulls people off the only road that leads home.

And the title they claim, Christos, the Anointed One, was the hope of every Jew. People were longing for deliverance. False christs traded on that longing. When you see how precise these words are, you understand why Jesus starts here. The most dangerous lie is the one that sounds closest to the truth.

Many historic commentators, like Matthew Henry and Adam Clarke, emphasize that this warning was fulfilled in the first century before the destruction of Jerusalem. They point to Josephus’s account of impostors such as Theudas and the Egyptian. John Wesley notes that never did so many impostors appear as in the years leading up to AD 70.

Other voices, like Calvin and the Cambridge Bible, see a broader pattern. Calvin calls these deceivers an introduction to all errors Satan uses to corrupt the gospel. The apostle John wrote that “even now are there many antichrists,” suggesting an ongoing reality. Some Christians today expect a final false messiah before the end. Others see the pattern repeating in every age. Both readings honor Jesus’ warning. Neither tries to make it less urgent.

A common misreading is assuming that “in my name” means these deceivers claim to be sent by Jesus, like false preachers who say “God told me.” In fact, the Greek means they are coming “on the basis of” the name Messiah. They claim to be the Christ. Jesus is not warning about people who misuse His authority. He is warning about people who replace Him. Many first-century impostors did exactly that, and the same deception continues whenever a person or movement promises a salvation that pushes Jesus aside.

This week you will hear many voices. Some from leaders you admire. Some from friends. Some from posts that promise answers. Each one makes a claim. Jesus gives you a simple test. Does the message point you to the real Christ recorded in Scripture, or does it replace Him with someone or something else?

When a teacher says “I have the special insight” or “follow this path to freedom,” measure that against Jesus as He really is. Not a mascot. Not an idea. The risen Lord who alone died for your sins and calls you by name. You don’t need to be a scholar. Stay close to what you already know of Christ. Read the Gospels this week. Pray for a discerning heart. And if a claim makes Jesus smaller or different from the One you meet in those pages, you can let it go without guilt.