Mark 13:5

Authorized King James Version

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And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:

Original Language Analysis

ὁ G3588
ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 1 of 12
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δὲ And G1161
δὲ And
Strong's: G1161
Word #: 2 of 12
but, and, etc
Ἰησοῦς Jesus G2424
Ἰησοῦς Jesus
Strong's: G2424
Word #: 3 of 12
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
ἀποκριθεὶς answering G611
ἀποκριθεὶς answering
Strong's: G611
Word #: 4 of 12
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
αὐτοῖς them G846
αὐτοῖς them
Strong's: G846
Word #: 5 of 12
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἤρξατο began G756
ἤρξατο began
Strong's: G756
Word #: 6 of 12
to commence (in order of time)
λέγειν to say G3004
λέγειν to say
Strong's: G3004
Word #: 7 of 12
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Βλέπετε Take heed G991
Βλέπετε Take heed
Strong's: G991
Word #: 8 of 12
to look at (literally or figuratively)
μή lest G3361
μή lest
Strong's: G3361
Word #: 9 of 12
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
τις any G5100
τις any
Strong's: G5100
Word #: 10 of 12
some or any person or object
ὑμᾶς you G5209
ὑμᾶς you
Strong's: G5209
Word #: 11 of 12
you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)
πλανήσῃ· man deceive G4105
πλανήσῃ· man deceive
Strong's: G4105
Word #: 12 of 12
to (properly, cause to) roam (from safety, truth, or virtue)

Analysis & Commentary

Take heed lest any man deceive you (Greek blepete mē tis hymas planēsē, βλέπετε μή τις ὑμᾶς πλανήσῃ)—Jesus' first warning concerns deception. The verb planaō (πλανάω) means lead astray, seduce into error. Deception is Satan's primary weapon (John 8:44; Revelation 12:9). Jesus prioritized warning against false teaching above warning about persecution or tribulation, indicating doctrinal error's danger.

This command brackets the discourse (repeated in v. 9, 23, 33)—constant vigilance required. Christians face relentless pressure toward false doctrine. The passive voice 'be deceived' warns deception can happen unintentionally—hence need for active watchfulness. The remedy is biblical discernment (Acts 17:11), sound doctrine (Titus 2:1), and Spirit-guided wisdom (1 John 4:1-6). Deception thrives when Christians neglect Scripture, substitute feelings for truth, or embrace culture's values uncritically.

Historical Context

First-century church battled numerous deceptions: Judaizers demanded circumcision (Galatians), Gnostics denied Christ's incarnation (1 John 4:2-3), false apostles promoted 'another gospel' (2 Corinthians 11:4), antinomians abused grace (Jude 4). Jesus foresaw this. AD 66-70 saw multiple messianic pretenders (Josephus records several), fulfilling verse 6. Church history witnesses recurring heresies—Arianism, Pelagianism, medieval errors, modern liberalism. Each generation faces deception tailored to its culture. Today's deceptions include prosperity gospel, therapeutic moralism, universalism, relativism. The warning remains urgent: 'Take heed lest any man deceive you.'

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