For many will come in My name and will say, “I am the Christ,” and they will mislead many.
Jesus explains the meaning of His warning, saying that deception will come not from outside God’s name, but precisely under His name. Many will try to present themselves as the Christ, promising salvation and light, yet they will deceive those who do not keep watchfulness in faith. This word concerns not only the centuries following Jesus’ time, but also all generations, as a constant warning that false prophets and false saviors always appear with the mask of truth. Christ clearly shows that an outward name and a formal faith do not mean real belonging to Him. Only faith that flows from the living word and from truth can keep a person from deception. Indeed, this word was fulfilled historically in the first centuries, when many presented themselves as the Messiah, and in a spiritual sense in all times, when people tried (and try) to make themselves the only source of truth.