Mark 13:22
For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
Original Language Analysis
ἐγερθήσονται
shall rise
G1453
ἐγερθήσονται
shall rise
Strong's:
G1453
Word #:
1 of 18
to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
2 of 18
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
4 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ψευδοπροφῆται
false prophets
G5578
ψευδοπροφῆται
false prophets
Strong's:
G5578
Word #:
5 of 18
a spurious prophet, i.e., pretended foreteller or religious impostor
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
6 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
δώσουσιν
shall shew
G1325
δώσουσιν
shall shew
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
7 of 18
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
σημεῖα
signs
G4592
σημεῖα
signs
Strong's:
G4592
Word #:
8 of 18
an indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πρὸς
to
G4314
πρὸς
to
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
11 of 18
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀποπλανᾶν
seduce
G635
ἀποπλανᾶν
seduce
Strong's:
G635
Word #:
13 of 18
to lead astray (figuratively); passively, to stray (from truth)
δυνατόν
it were possible
G1415
δυνατόν
it were possible
Strong's:
G1415
Word #:
15 of 18
powerful or capable (literally or figuratively); neuter possible
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
Matthew 24:24For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.Mark 13:6For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.1 John 2:26These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.Matthew 7:15Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.Revelation 17:8The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.1 John 2:19They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.John 4:48Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.
Historical Context
Early church faced false teachers performing signs: Simon Magus (Acts 8:9-24) amazed people with sorcery; Bar-Jesus resisted Paul (Acts 13:6-12); sons of Sceva attempted exorcisms (Acts 19:13-16). Church history records ongoing deception: medieval wonder-workers, charismatic excess, modern faith healers, New Age channelers. Not all supernatural phenomena are divine—Satan counterfeits (Exodus 7:11, Egyptian magicians; Matthew 7:22-23, false workers of miracles). Discernment requires:
- conformity to Scripture (Isaiah 8:20)
- proper Christology (1 John 4:1-3)
- godly fruit (Matthew 7:16)
- Spirit's witness.
The doctrine of elect's perseverance assures believers: though deception is sophisticated, God preserves His own. False signs may deceive temporarily, but genuine faith endures.
Questions for Reflection
- How can false teachers perform genuine supernatural signs—and why aren't miracles sufficient authentication of truth?
- What does 'if it were possible, even the elect' teach about God's preservation of believers despite sophisticated deception?
- How should Christians evaluate miraculous claims—what criteria distinguish divine signs from false wonders?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
False Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders—the Greek pseudochristoi (ψευδόχριστοι, 'false messiahs') and pseudoprophētai (ψευδοπροφῆται, 'false prophets') describe deceivers claiming divine authority. They will perform sēmeia kai terata (σημεῖα καὶ τέρατα, 'signs and wonders')—supernatural phenomena authenticating their claims. Satan empowers false signs (2 Thessalonians 2:9; Revelation 13:13-14).
To seduce, if it were possible, even the elect—the purpose is deception. The Greek pros to apoplanān (πρὸς τὸ ἀποπλανᾶν, 'toward the deceiving') indicates intentional seduction. If it were possible, even the elect (Greek ei dynaton kai tous eklektous, εἰ δυνατὸν καὶ τοὺς ἐκλεκτούς)—the counterfactual conditional implies impossibility. The elect cannot be ultimately deceived because God preserves them (John 10:28-29). Yet the attempt is so convincing that only divine preservation prevents success. This warns against trusting miraculous signs as authentication—truth rests on Scripture conformity, not supernatural phenomena.