Mark 13:22 Meaning and Explanation
“For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →False christs and false prophets will arise with signs and wonders, seeking to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
What Does Mark 13:22 Mean?
The deceivers will not be crude. Jesus warns of false christs and false prophets armed with 'signs and wonders' — the very vocabulary of true miracles. Their aim is precise: not merely to impress crowds but to draw away, if it were possible, the chosen themselves.
The warning teaches that spectacle is not credentials. A wonder proves power, not truth, and Scripture has long known that wonders can serve a lie. The test of any sign is the direction it pulls — toward the crucified and risen Jesus, or away from him. And inside the warning glows an assurance: 'if it were possible' hints that the design will fail. God does not leave his own unguarded; those who cling to the true Christ are not easily torn from him.
Mark 13:22 in the Original Language
apoplanao (ἀποπλανάω), 'seduce' -- to lead away from the path, drawing someone off course.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mark 13:22
What does Mark 13:22 mean?
False christs and false prophets will arise with signs and wonders, seeking to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.