Mark 13:21, "Then if anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, there!’ don’t believe it," is a warning from Jesus to his followers about the time leading up to his Second Coming. It emphasizes the following points:
False Claims & Deception: Jesus is predicting that during a time of great tribulation and uncertainty, many people will claim to be the Christ (Messiah) or to know where the Christ is. These claims will be designed to deceive and mislead.
The Importance of Discernment: Jesus instructs his followers not to be easily swayed by these claims. He wants them to exercise discernment and not simply believe everything they hear.
A Unique and Unmistakable Second Coming: The verse implies that when the true Christ returns, it will be a very obvious and unmistakable event, not something hidden in a secret location or requiring special knowledge to discover. There won't be a need for someone to point him out, saying "He's over here!"
Focus on Being Prepared: Rather than chasing after rumors of the Christ's location, Jesus encourages his followers to focus on being spiritually prepared for his return by paying attention to the broader signs he has described elsewhere in the chapter (Mark 13).
In essence, Jesus is warning his followers to be skeptical of messianic claimants during times of trouble, and to understand that his return will be a public and universally-recognized event. They should not be misled by those who try to portray themselves, or their leaders, as "the Christ."
Mark 13:21, "Then if anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, there!’ don’t believe it," is a warning from Jesus to his followers about the time leading up to his Second Coming. It emphasizes the following points:
False Claims & Deception: Jesus is predicting that during a time of great tribulation and uncertainty, many people will claim to be the Christ (Messiah) or to know where the Christ is. These claims will be designed to deceive and mislead.
The Importance of Discernment: Jesus instructs his followers not to be easily swayed by these claims. He wants them to exercise discernment and not simply believe everything they hear.
A Unique and Unmistakable Second Coming: The verse implies that when the true Christ returns, it will be a very obvious and unmistakable event, not something hidden in a secret location or requiring special knowledge to discover. There won't be a need for someone to point him out, saying "He's over here!"
Focus on Being Prepared: Rather than chasing after rumors of the Christ's location, Jesus encourages his followers to focus on being spiritually prepared for his return by paying attention to the broader signs he has described elsewhere in the chapter (Mark 13).
In essence, Jesus is warning his followers to be skeptical of messianic claimants during times of trouble, and to understand that his return will be a public and universally-recognized event. They should not be misled by those who try to portray themselves, or their leaders, as "the Christ."