Luke 17:23
And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them.
Original Language Analysis
Historical Context
First-century Palestine saw multiple messianic pretenders: Judas the Galilean (Acts 5:37), Theudas (Acts 5:36), the Egyptian false prophet (Acts 21:38), and others who led followers into wilderness expecting divine deliverance. After Jerusalem's destruction (AD 70), messianic expectations intensified, producing Bar Kokhba's revolt (AD 132-135). Early Christians faced constant pressure from both Jewish messianic movements and Roman emperor worship.
Church history confirms Jesus' warning's ongoing relevance: Montanus (2nd century) claimed new revelation about the parousia; medieval movements followed date-setters and visionaries; modern examples include William Miller (1844), Charles Taze Russell (Jehovah's Witnesses), David Koresh (Branch Davidians), and countless others who claimed special knowledge of Christ's whereabouts or return date. Jesus' warning stands: ignore such claims. The Son of Man's coming will be as obvious as lightning—no secret locations, no insider knowledge required. Meanwhile, be faithful where you are (Luke 12:35-48).
Questions for Reflection
- How can believers discern between legitimate teaching about Christ's return and sensational deception?
- What makes Christians vulnerable to false teachers claiming special revelation about end-times events?
- How should Jesus' warning against chasing reports of secret appearances shape your response to contemporary prophecy claims?
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Analysis & Commentary
And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them. Jesus warns against deception during the disciples' longing for His return. The phrase they shall say to you (ἐροῦσιν ὑμῖν, erousin hymin) identifies false teachers who will claim special knowledge of Christ's location. See here; or, see there (ἰδοὺ ἐκεῖ, ἰδοὺ ὧδε, idou ekei, idou hōde—"Behold there! Behold here!") mimics urgent announcements of Messiah's secret appearance.
Jesus' command is unambiguous: go not after them, nor follow them (μὴ ἀπέλθητε μηδὲ διώξητε, mē apelthēte mēde diōxēte—"do not go away nor pursue"). The double prohibition emphasizes complete avoidance—don't even investigate such claims. Why? Because Christ's return won't be secret or localized (v. 24)—it will be unmistakable, visible to all simultaneously, like lightning illuminating the entire sky.
This warning addresses persistent church temptation: every generation produces false christs and false prophets (Matthew 24:23-26, Mark 13:21-23). From first-century Zealot messiahs to modern cult leaders claiming to be Christ returned, the pattern continues. Jesus' warning protects against wasting energy chasing deceptions. True disciples don't need insider information about secret appearances—Christ's return will be public, glorious, and unmistakable (Acts 1:11, Revelation 1:7). Until then, we wait patiently, living faithfully, refusing to be distracted by sensational claims.