King James Version

What Does Mark 13:6 Mean?

Mark 13:6 in the King James Version says “For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.” — study this verse from Mark chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.”

Mark 13:6 · KJV

Context

4

Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?

5

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

6

For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

7

And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.

8

For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows. sorrows: the word in the original, importeth; the pains of a woman in travail

Read Mark 13 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. The false messiahs claim Jesus' authority ('in my name') while asserting their own messianic status ('I am Christ'—Greek egō eimi ho Christos, ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ Χριστός). This describes usurpers who invoke Christianity while distorting it. They don't deny Jesus outright but redefine Him, claiming to reveal 'deeper truth' or 'new revelation.'

History fulfilled this literally and spiritually. AD 66-70 saw Jewish messianic pretenders (Josephus names Theudas, Egyptian false prophet, others). Spiritually, false teachers throughout church history claimed Christ's name while teaching heresy—Gnostics, Arians, medieval mystics claiming private revelations, modern cults (Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses), prosperity preachers, progressive theologians who redefine Christ according to culture. The warning: popularity ('deceive many') doesn't validate truth. Satan disguises himself as angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14); false teachers appear as Christ's ministers.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Between Jesus' prophecy and AD 70, multiple messianic pretenders arose. Josephus recorded Theudas (ca. AD 45), who promised to part the Jordan; an Egyptian (ca. AD 55) who claimed he'd collapse Jerusalem's walls; others who led followers into wilderness expecting deliverance. All failed. Spiritually, Simon Magus (Acts 8:9-24) claimed divine power. Early Gnostics taught secret knowledge beyond apostolic gospel. Medieval period saw flagellants, millennial movements, individuals claiming messianic authority. Reformation confronted papal claims to Christ's vicar. Modern era sees cults, charismatic excess, progressive Christianity—all invoking Jesus' name while distorting His gospel. The pattern continues: 'many shall come... and shall deceive many.'

Reflection Questions

  1. How can false teachers claim to come 'in Christ's name' while teaching heresy—and why is this more dangerous than open opposition?
  2. What criteria distinguish true teachers from false ones who invoke Jesus' authority?
  3. Why does Jesus warn that false teachers will 'deceive many'—what makes popularity or large followings unreliable indicators of truth?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 14 words
πολλοὺς1 of 14

“many”

G4183

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

γὰρ2 of 14

“For”

G1063

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

ἐλεύσονται3 of 14

“shall come”

G2064

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

ἐπὶ4 of 14

“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

τῷ5 of 14
G3588

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

ὀνόματί6 of 14

“name”

G3686

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

μου7 of 14

“my”

G3450

of me

λέγοντες8 of 14

“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

ὅτι9 of 14
G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

Ἐγώ10 of 14

“I”

G1473

i, me

εἰμι11 of 14

“am”

G1510

i exist (used only when emphatic)

καὶ12 of 14

“Christ and”

G2532

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

πολλοὺς13 of 14

“many”

G4183

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

πλανήσουσιν14 of 14

“shall deceive”

G4105

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

Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Mark 13:6 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 Mark 13:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Mark 13:22Matthew 24:111 John 4:1Matthew 24:23-24Acts 5:36-39John 8:24

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