The Meaning of Mark 13:21 Explained

Mark 13:21

KJV: And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not:

YLT: And then, if any may say to you, Lo, here is the Christ, or, Lo, there, ye may not believe;

Darby: And then if any one say to you, Lo, here is the Christ, or Lo, there, believe it not.

ASV: And then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is the Christ; or, Lo, there; believe it not:

What is the context of Mark 13:21?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And  then  if  any man  shall say  to you,  Lo,  here  [is] Christ;  or,  lo,  [he is] there;  believe  [him] not: 

What does Mark 13:21 Mean?

Context Summary

Mark 13:14-37 - "watch!"
The fall of Jerusalem, Mark 13:14-23. This abomination had been predicted by Daniel, Daniel 9:27, Josephus says that the Romans brought their standards into the Temple, and offered sacrifices to them, and proclaimed Titus emperor. Probably there is to be a yet further fulfillment of these significant words. Houses in the East are, for the most part, provided with staircases outside the wall, so that the occupants, seeing the approach of danger, could flee without going through their homes, Mark 13:15. The ungodly owe more than they realize to the elect who dwell among them, Mark 13:20. Let us not be deceived by the appearance of false doctrines or teachers; there are also false Christs, Mark 13:22.
The second advent, Mark 13:24-27. These signs may refer to the disorganization of political rule, or to literal convulsions of the elements. The ministry of angels was very real to Jesus, and their function in the future ages is clearly defined. As Enoch was translated before the deluge, so will the saints be gathered before the final sorrows, 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17. It would seem as if Christ's coming is to bring summer to our world. This generation may refer to the fact that the Jewish people would remain as a distinct people. Our Lord had so emptied Himself, that in His human nature He knew not the hour, and was content to know only as the Father told Him. He has now resumed the glory of the knowledge which He had before all worlds. Have we each one found our work? Let us watch! [source]

Chapter Summary: Mark 13

1  Jesus foretells the destruction of the temple;
9  the persecutions for the gospel;
10  that the gospel must be preached to all nations;
14  that great calamities shall happen to the Jews;
24  and the manner of his coming to judgment;
32  the hour whereof being known to none, every man is to watch and pray

What do the individual words in Mark 13:21 mean?

And then if anyone to you says Behold here [is] the Christ there not you shall believe [it]
Καὶ τότε ἐάν τις ὑμῖν εἴπῃ Ἴδε ὧδε Χριστός ἐκεῖ μὴ πιστεύετε

τις  anyone 
Parse: Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: τὶς  
Sense: a certain, a certain one.
ὑμῖν  to  you 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative 2nd Person Plural
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
εἴπῃ  says 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: λέγω  
Sense: to speak, say.
Ἴδε  Behold 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Imperative Active, 2nd Person Singular
Root: ἰδού  
Sense: behold, see, lo.
ὧδε  here  [is] 
Parse: Adverb
Root: ὧδε  
Sense: here, to this place, etc.
Χριστός  Christ 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: Χριστός  
Sense: Christ was the Messiah, the Son of God.
πιστεύετε  you  shall  believe  [it] 
Parse: Verb, Present Imperative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: πιστεύω  
Sense: to think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit, place confidence in.