King James Version

What Does Luke 21:8 Mean?

Luke 21:8 in the King James Version says “And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time drawet... — study this verse from Luke chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. and the time: or, and, The time

Luke 21:8 · KJV


Context

6

As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

7

And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?

8

And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. and the time: or, and, The time

9

But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.

10

Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. Jesus begins His eschatological discourse with a warning: blepete mē planaōthēte (βλέπετε μὴ πλανηθῆτε, 'watch that you not be deceived'). The verb planaō (πλανάω) means 'lead astray,' 'deceive,' 'cause to wander.' False teachers will come epi tō onomati mou (ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματί μου, 'in my name')—claiming Christ's authority—and declare egō eimi (ἐγώ εἰμι, 'I am [he]') and ho kairos ēngiken (ὁ καιρὸς ἤγγικεν, 'the time has drawn near').

These deceivers will claim messianic identity or imminent eschatological fulfillment. The command mē poreuthēte opisō autōn (μὴ πορευθῆτε ὀπίσω αὐτῶν, 'do not go after them') prohibits following false messiahs. History confirms this warning's relevance: Simon bar Kokhba (AD 132-135) claimed messiahship and led a disastrous revolt. Throughout church history, false prophets have proclaimed 'the time is near,' deceiving many. Jesus' first eschatological concern is not chronology but spiritual discernment and resistance to deception. Before discussing when the end comes, He warns about false teachers who will mislead the unwary.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Between Jesus' prophecy and Jerusalem's destruction (AD 30-70), multiple messianic pretenders arose. Josephus records several false prophets who led Jews to disaster. Theudas (Acts 5:36) claimed prophetic authority; Judas of Galilee led a revolt; an Egyptian false prophet led thousands to the Mount of Olives. After AD 70, Bar Kokhba's messianic claims led to catastrophic war with Rome (132-135). The early church also faced deception—Gnostic teachers, legalists, and apocalyptic speculators troubled congregations. Paul warned of those proclaiming false timelines (2 Thessalonians 2:1-3). Throughout history, date-setters and false prophets have misled Christians. Jesus' warning remains perpetually relevant.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does Jesus prioritize warning against deception before answering questions about timing and signs?
  2. How can believers distinguish between genuine prophetic teaching and false claims that 'the time has drawn near'?
  3. What characteristics of false teachers should alert Christians to deception, especially regarding end-times predictions?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 26 words
1 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δὲ2 of 26

And

G1161

but, and, etc

εἶπεν3 of 26

he said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

Βλέπετε4 of 26

Take heed

G991

to look at (literally or figuratively)

μὴ5 of 26

not

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

πλανηθῆτε·6 of 26

deceived

G4105

to (properly, cause to) roam (from safety, truth, or virtue)

πολλοὶ7 of 26

many

G4183

(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely

γὰρ8 of 26

for

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

ἐλεύσονται9 of 26

shall come

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

ἐπὶ10 of 26

in

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τῷ11 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὀνόματί12 of 26

name

G3686

a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)

μου13 of 26

my

G3450

of me

λέγοντες14 of 26

saying

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

ὃτι15 of 26
G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

Ἐγώ16 of 26

I

G1473

i, me

εἰμι17 of 26

am

G1510

i exist (used only when emphatic)

καί18 of 26

Christ and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

19 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

καιρὸς20 of 26

the time

G2540

an occasion, i.e., set or proper time

ἤγγικεν21 of 26

draweth near

G1448

to make near, i.e., (reflexively) approach

μὴ22 of 26

not

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

οὖν23 of 26

therefore

G3767

(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly

πορευθῆτε24 of 26

go ye

G4198

to traverse, i.e., travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively, die), live, etc.)

ὀπίσω25 of 26

after

G3694

to the back, i.e., aback (as adverb or preposition of time or place; or as noun)

αὐτῶν26 of 26

them

G846

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


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 21:8 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 21:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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