Matthew 24:12
New International Version
Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,

New Living Translation
Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.

English Standard Version
And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.

Berean Standard Bible
Because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.

Berean Literal Bible
And because lawlessness is to be multiplied, the love of the many will grow cold.

King James Bible
And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

New King James Version
And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.

New American Standard Bible
And because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will become cold.

NASB 1995
“Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.

NASB 1977
“And because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.

Legacy Standard Bible
And because lawlessness is multiplied, most people’s love will grow cold.

Amplified Bible
Because lawlessness is increased, the love of most people will grow cold.

Christian Standard Bible
Because lawlessness will multiply, the love of many will grow cold.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Because lawlessness will multiply, the love of many will grow cold.

American Standard Version
And because iniquity shall be multiplied, the love of the many shall wax cold.

Contemporary English Version
Evil will spread and cause many people to stop loving others.

English Revised Version
And because iniquity shall be multiplied, the love of the many shall wax cold.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
And because there will be more and more lawlessness, most people's love will grow cold.

Good News Translation
Such will be the spread of evil that many people's love will grow cold.

International Standard Version
and because lawlessness will increase, the love of many people will grow cold.

NET Bible
and because lawlessness will increase so much, the love of many will grow cold.

New Heart English Bible
And because lawlessness is multiplied, the love of many will grow cold.

Webster's Bible Translation
And because iniquity will abound, the love of many will become cold.

Weymouth New Testament
and because of the prevalent disregard of God's law the love of the great majority will grow cold;
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
Because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.

World English Bible
Because iniquity will be multiplied, the love of many will grow cold.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and because of the abounding of the lawlessness, the love of the many will become cold;

Berean Literal Bible
And because lawlessness is to be multiplied, the love of the many will grow cold.

Young's Literal Translation
and because of the abounding of the lawlessness, the love of the many shall become cold;

Smith's Literal Translation
And because anxiety shall increase, the love of many shall be cooled.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And because iniquity hath abounded, the charity of many shall grow cold.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And because iniquity has abounded, the charity of many will grow cold.

New American Bible
and because of the increase of evildoing, the love of many will grow cold.

New Revised Standard Version
And because of the increase of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And because of the growth of iniquity, the love of many will become cold.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And because of the abundance of evil, the love of many will grow cold.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
and because iniquity abounds, the love of many will grow cold.

Godbey New Testament
And because iniquity doth abound, the divine love of many will grow cold.

Haweis New Testament
And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many will grow cool.

Mace New Testament
and as iniquity becomes more flagrant, the zeal of many will grow cool.

Weymouth New Testament
and because of the prevalent disregard of God's law the love of the great majority will grow cold;

Worrell New Testament
and, because lawlessness abounds, the love of many will grow cold.

Worsley New Testament
the love of many will grow cold.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Witnessing to All Nations
11and many false prophets will arise and mislead many. 12 Because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold. 13But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.…

Cross References
2 Timothy 3:1-5
But understand this: In the last days terrible times will come. / For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, / unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, ...

2 Thessalonians 2:3
Let no one deceive you in any way, for it will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness—the son of destruction—is revealed.

2 Peter 3:3-4
Most importantly, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. / “Where is the promise of His coming?” they will ask. “Ever since our fathers fell asleep, everything continues as it has from the beginning of creation.”

1 John 4:7-8
Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. / Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Revelation 2:4
But I have this against you: You have abandoned your first love.

1 Timothy 4:1-2
Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, / influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron.

Luke 18:8
I tell you, He will promptly carry out justice on their behalf. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?”

Romans 1:28-31
Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. / They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, / slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful. They invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents. ...

Galatians 5:19-21
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; / idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, / and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

1 John 2:18
Children, it is the last hour; and just as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have appeared. This is how we know it is the last hour.

Jude 1:18-19
when they said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow after their own ungodly desires.” / These are the ones who cause divisions, who are worldly and devoid of the Spirit.

Daniel 12:10
Many will be purified, made spotless, and refined, but the wicked will continue to act wickedly. None of the wicked will understand, but the wise will understand.

Isaiah 5:20
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness to light and light to darkness, who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter.

Micah 7:2-4
The godly man has perished from the earth; there is no one upright among men. They all lie in wait for blood; they hunt one another with a net. / Both hands are skilled at evil; the prince and the judge demand a bribe. When the powerful utters his evil desire, they all conspire together. / The best of them is like a brier; the most upright is sharper than a hedge of thorns. The day for your watchmen has come, the day of your visitation. Now is the time of their confusion.

Hosea 4:1-2
Hear the word of the LORD, O children of Israel, for the LORD has a case against the people of the land: “There is no truth, no loving devotion, and no knowledge of God in the land! / Cursing and lying, murder and stealing, and adultery are rampant; one act of bloodshed follows another.


Treasury of Scripture

And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

because.

James 4:1-4
From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? …

James 5:1-6
Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you

the love.

Revelation 2:4,5,10
Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love…

Revelation 3:15
I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

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Abound Abounding Cold Disregard God's Great Grow Increase Increased Iniquity Love Majority Multiplied People's Prevalent Wax Wickedness Wrongdoing
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Abound Abounding Cold Disregard God's Great Grow Increase Increased Iniquity Love Majority Multiplied People's Prevalent Wax Wickedness Wrongdoing
Matthew 24
1. Jesus foretells the destruction of the temple;
3. what and how great calamities shall be before it;
29. the signs of his coming to judgment.
36. And because that day and hour are unknown,
42. we ought to watch like good servants, expecting our Master's coming.














Because of the multiplication of wickedness
This phrase indicates a significant increase in sinful behavior and moral decay. In the context of Matthew 24, Jesus is speaking about the signs of the end times, warning His disciples about the challenges they will face. The "multiplication of wickedness" suggests a widespread and pervasive increase in lawlessness and rebellion against God. This aligns with the prophetic warnings found in 2 Timothy 3:1-5, where Paul describes the last days as perilous times characterized by selfishness, pride, and a lack of natural affection. Historically, this can be seen in the decline of moral standards in various societies, often leading to societal collapse. Theologically, it reflects the human condition post-Fall, where sin continues to corrupt and spread.

the love of most will grow cold
This phrase highlights the impact of increased wickedness on the hearts of believers. The "love" referred to here is often understood as agape love, the selfless, sacrificial love that is a hallmark of Christian life. As wickedness increases, many will find their love for God and others diminishing. This can be connected to Revelation 2:4, where the church in Ephesus is admonished for abandoning their first love. The cultural context of the early church, facing persecution and internal strife, mirrors the challenges that can cause love to grow cold. Spiritually, this serves as a warning to remain vigilant and steadfast in faith, maintaining love through the power of the Holy Spirit, as emphasized in Romans 5:5.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus Christ
The speaker of this prophecy, Jesus is addressing His disciples on the Mount of Olives, providing them with insights into the end times and the signs of His coming.

2. Disciples
The immediate audience of Jesus' discourse, they are seeking understanding about the future and the signs of the end of the age.

3. Mount of Olives
The location where Jesus delivers the Olivet Discourse, a significant place in biblical prophecy and Jesus' ministry.

4. End Times
The period Jesus is describing, characterized by increased wickedness and a decline in love among people.

5. Wickedness
The moral decay and lawlessness that will be prevalent in the end times, leading to a cooling of love.
Teaching Points
Recognizing the Signs
Believers should be aware of the signs of the times, including the increase of wickedness, and remain vigilant in their faith.

Guarding Against Coldness
It is crucial to actively cultivate love in our hearts and communities, resisting the temptation to let our love grow cold.

Strengthening Community
In times of moral decline, the Christian community should support one another, encouraging love and good deeds.

Personal Reflection
Regular self-examination can help believers identify areas where their love may be waning and take steps to rekindle it.

Prayer and Dependence on God
Relying on God through prayer and the Holy Spirit is essential to maintain a warm and loving heart in a world growing cold.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Matthew 24:12?

2. How does Matthew 24:12 warn us about increasing lawlessness in today's world?

3. What does "love of most will grow cold" mean for believers now?

4. How can we guard our hearts against coldness as described in Matthew 24:12?

5. Which other scriptures emphasize maintaining love amidst growing lawlessness?

6. How can we actively demonstrate love in a world of increasing lawlessness?

7. How does Matthew 24:12 relate to the increase of lawlessness in today's world?

8. What does "the love of many will grow cold" mean in Matthew 24:12?

9. How should Christians respond to the prophecy in Matthew 24:12?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Matthew 24?

11. What does "the love of many will grow cold" mean?

12. What does increased lawlessness imply?

13. What does increased lawlessness imply?

14. What are the signs of the end times?
What Does Matthew 24:12 Mean
Because

Jesus utters this warning during His Olivet discourse. He has just listed earthquakes, famines, persecution, and false prophets, then says, “Because of the multiplication of wickedness…” (Matthew 24:12).

• “Because” ties the moral climate directly to the spiritual temperature of people. Sin is not neutral; it erodes devotion. (Isaiah 59:2; Galatians 6:7–8).

• Christ pinpoints cause before effect—a reminder that what we tolerate will soon dominate (James 1:14-15).


The multiplication of wickedness

The phrase pictures lawlessness spreading like an unchecked infection.

• Similar patterns precede judgment in Scripture: “The earth was filled with violence” (Genesis 6:11) before the flood; “evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse” (2 Timothy 3:13).

• Multiplication means more than isolated lapses; it is cultural saturation (2 Thessalonians 2:3-7).

• Wickedness distorts what is good and applauds what is evil (Romans 1:28-32). As that mindset multiplies, tenderness toward God diminishes.


The love of most

Jesus is addressing His professing people, not merely the pagan world.

• In Revelation 2:4 He rebukes the church at Ephesus: “You have abandoned the love you had at first.”

• Love is the identifying mark of true disciples (John 13:35). When many professing believers lose that mark, testimony suffers and the church’s light dims (Philippians 2:15).

• “Most” signals a sobering majority; only a remnant stays warm (Romans 11:5).


Will grow cold

Love doesn’t disappear overnight; it cools by degrees.

• Picture embers neglected until they are gray and lifeless (2 Timothy 1:6).

• Symptoms of cooling:

– Diminished hunger for Scripture (Psalm 119:103).

– Half-hearted worship (Malachi 1:13).

– Indifference to people in need (1 John 3:17).

• Christ counsels Laodicea to repent of lukewarmness (Revelation 3:15-19). His remedy remains the same: return, repent, rekindle.

Romans 12:11 urges, “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor.”


summary

Matthew 24:12 teaches that widespread, accelerating sin corrodes heartfelt devotion so thoroughly that the majority cools toward God and others. Jesus warns us so we will watch the culture, guard our hearts, and stay fervent in love while the world grows colder.

(12) Because iniquity shall abound . . .--Better, lawlessness. No word could more fitly represent the condition of Judaea in the time just referred to: brigandage, massacres, extortion, assassination, came to be common things.

The love of many . . .--Better, of the many; the greater part of the true Israel who would be found in the Church of Christ; perhaps, also, the greater part of the nation as such. This was the natural result of the condition of things implied in the "lawlessness." The tendency of all such times, as seen in the histories of famines, and pestilences, and revolutions, is to intensify selfishness, both in the more excusable form of self-preservation, and in the darker form of self-aggrandisement. In the tendency to "forsake the assembling of themselves together" among the Hebrew Christians, we have, perhaps, one instance of the love waxing cold (Hebrews 10:25).

Verse 12. - Because iniquity shall abound (πληθυνθῆναι, is multiplied). The word rendered "iniquity" is ἀνομία, "lawlessness," general immorality and licence. Impatience of rule and discipline, connivance at and imitation of heathen practices, reacted upon the faith of believers, undermined steadfast adherence to principle. Then was the power of "that wicked one" (ὁ ἄνομος, 2 Thessalonians 2:8) exercised and seen in the lapse of the unstable. The love of many (τῶν πολλῶν, the many, the majority) shall wax cold. "Love" (ἀγάπη) here is used in its general and comprehensive sense, as having God as its chief object and man in subordination thereto. The troubles and persecutions that shall beset believers, the spirit of worldliness and self-seeking that a timid faith encourages, will issue in loosening dependence upon God and trust in his providential care; and internal dissensions will destroy that brotherly love which ought to be characteristic of Christians. Of this lack of energetic love the Lord speaks in his warnings to the Church of Laodicea (Revelation 3:16), "Because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Because of
διὰ (dia)
Preposition
Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.

the multiplication
πληθυνθῆναι (plēthynthēnai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Passive
Strong's 4129: To increase, multiply. From another form of plethos; to increase.

of wickedness,
ἀνομίαν (anomian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 458: Lawlessness, iniquity, disobedience, sin. From anomos; illegality, i.e. Violation of law or wickedness.

the
(hē)
Article - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

love
ἀγάπη (agapē)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 26: From agapao; love, i.e. Affection or benevolence; specially a love-feast.

of
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

most
πολλῶν (pollōn)
Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 4183: Much, many; often.

will grow cold.
ψυγήσεται (psygēsetai)
Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 5594: To cool, pass: I grow cold. A primary verb; to breathe, i.e. to chill.


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NT Gospels: Matthew 24:12 Because iniquity will be multiplied the love (Matt. Mat Mt)
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