What is the meaning of Mark 13:21?

At that time

• Jesus is speaking of the climactic season just before His visible return (Mark 13:19, 24; Matthew 24:29).

• The phrase anchors us in a literal future moment—real history, not symbolism.

• This timing underscores urgency: believers living in that period must stay alert, while those before it should prepare their hearts now (2 Peter 3:11–12).

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if anyone says to you

• The warning is personal—directly to the disciples and, by extension, to every follower of Christ (Mark 13:5).

• “Anyone” reminds us that deception can come from unexpected sources: charismatic leaders, trusted friends, popular voices (2 Timothy 3:13).

• Scripture repeatedly anticipates counterfeit messages infiltrating the church (Acts 20:29–30; 2 Peter 2:1).

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Look, here is the Christ!

• False messiahs will claim the authority that belongs only to Jesus (Matthew 24:5).

• Such claims prey on fear and longing during upheaval, offering quick rescue apart from true repentance.

• Real messianic signs will be unmistakable: the sky darkens, the Son of Man appears “with great power and glory” (Mark 13:24–26).

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or ‘There He is!’

• Specific locations—deserts, inner rooms, secret gatherings—will be cited (Luke 17:23).

• Jesus overturns the idea that His coming can be localized or hidden. He will be universally visible “as lightning that flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other” (Luke 17:24).

• Chasing every rumor only leads to confusion and vulnerability (Ephesians 4:14).

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do not believe it

• The command is stark: refuse faith in any claim that contradicts Jesus’ own description of His return (1 John 4:1).

• Discernment protects the church from spiritual harm and preserves the purity of gospel hope (2 Thessalonians 2:3–4).

• Trust the Shepherd’s voice already given in Scripture; anything else is a stranger’s call (John 10:4–5).

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summary

Mark 13:21 is a loving caution from our Lord: in the last days deceptive voices will multiply, each insisting they have found the Christ in some hidden corner. Because His second coming will be overwhelmingly public and unmistakable, believers must reject every private claim, anchor themselves in the Word, and wait with confident discernment for the true, glorious appearing of Jesus.