SEV Biblia, Chapter 24:26
Así que, si os dijeren: He aquí en el desierto est, no salgis; he aquí en las cmaras, no creis.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Matthew 24:26
Verse 26. If they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert] Is it not worthy of remark that our Lord not only foretold the appearance of these impostors, but also the manner and circumstances of their conduct? Some he mentions as appearing in the desert. Josephus says, ANT. b. xx. c. 7, and WAR, book ii. c. 13: That many impostors and cheats persuaded the people to follow them to the desert, promising to show them signs and wonders done by the providence of God, is well attested. An Egyptian false prophet, mentioned by Josephus, ANT. b. xx. c. 7, and in the Acts, Acts xxi. 38, led out into the DESERT four thousand men, who were murderers, but these were all taken or destroyed by Felix. Another promised salvation to the people, if they would follow him to the DESERT, and he was destroyed by Festus, ANT. b. xx. c. 7. Also, one Jonathan, a weaver, persuaded a number to follow him to the DESERT, but he was taken and burnt alive by Vespasian. See WAR, b. vii. c. 11. As some conducted their deluded followers to the DESERT, so did others to the secret chambers. Josephus mentions a false prophet, WAR, b. vi. c. 5, who declared to the people in the city, that God commanded them to go up into the temple, and there they should receive the signs of deliverance.
A multitude of men, women, and children, went up accordingly; but, instead of deliverance, the place was set on fire by the Romans, and 6,000 perished miserably in the flames, or in attempting to escape them.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 26. Wherefore if they shall say unto you , etc.] Any of the false prophets, or the deluded followers of false Christs: behold, he is in the desert, go not forth : that is, should they affirm, that the Messiah is in such a wilderness, in the wilderness of Judea, or in any other desert place, do not go out of the places where you are to see, or hear, and know the truth of things; lest you should, in any respect, be stumbled, ensnared, and brought into danger. It was usual for these impostors to lead their followers into deserts, pretending to work wonders in such solitary places: so, during the siege, Simon, the son of Giora, collected together many thousands in the mountainous and desert parts of Judea f1397 ; and the above mentioned Jonathan, after the destruction of the city, led great multitudes into the desert: behold, he is in the secret chambers, believe it not ; or should others say behold, or for certain, the Messiah is in some one of the secret and fortified places of the temple; where, during some time of the siege, were John and Eleazar, the heads of the zealots f1398 ; do not believe them. Some reference may be had to the chamber of secrets, which was in the temple f1399 ; for in the sanctuary there were two chambers; one was called yaj tkl , the chamber of secrets, and the other the chamber of vessels.
Or else some respect may be had to the notions of the Jews, concerning the Messiah, which they imbibed about these times, and ever since retained, that he was born the day Jerusalem was destroyed, but is hid, for their sins, in some secret place, and will in time be revealed f1400 . Some say, that he is hid in the sea; others, in the walks of the garden of Eden; and others, that he sits among the lepers at the gates of Rome f1401 . The Syriac version here reads in the singular number, in the bedchamber; in some private apartment, where he remains till a proper time of showing himself offers, for fear of the Romans: but these are all idle notions, and none of them to be believed. The true Messiah is come, and has showed himself to Israel; and even the giving out these things discovers a consciousness, and a conviction that the Messiah is come.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 4-28 - The disciples had asked concerning the times, When these things shoul be? Christ gave them no answer to that; but they had also asked, What shall be the sign? This question he answers fully. The prophecy firs respects events near at hand, the destruction of Jerusalem, the end of the Jewish church and state, the calling of the Gentiles, and the setting up of Christ's kingdom in the world; but it also looks to the general judgment; and toward the close, points more particularly to the latter. What Christ here said to his disciples, tended more to promot caution than to satisfy their curiosity; more to prepare them for the events that should happen, than to give a distinct idea of the events This is that good understanding of the times which all should covet thence to infer what Israel ought to do. Our Saviour cautions his disciples to stand on their guard against false teachers. And he foretells wars and great commotions among nations. From the time tha the Jews rejected Christ, and he left their house desolate, the swor never departed from them. See what comes of refusing the gospel. Thos who will not hear the messengers of peace, shall be made to hear the messengers of war. But where the heart is fixed, trusting in God, it is kept in peace, and is not afraid. It is against the mind of Christ that his people should have troubled hearts, even in troublous times When we looked forward to the eternity of misery that is before the obstinate refusers of Christ and his gospel, we may truly say, The greatest earthly judgments are but the beginning of sorrows. It is comforting that some shall endure even to the end. Our Lord foretell the preaching of the gospel in all the world. The end of the worl shall not be till the gospel has done its work. Christ foretells the ruin coming upon the people of the Jews; and what he said here, woul be of use to his disciples, for their conduct and for their comfort. I God opens a door of escape, we ought to make our escape, otherwise we do not trust God, but tempt him. It becomes Christ's disciples, i times of public trouble, to be much in prayer: that is never out of season, but in a special manner seasonable when we are distressed of every side. Though we must take what God sends, yet we may pray agains sufferings; and it is very trying to a good man, to be taken by an work of necessity from the solemn service and worship of God on the sabbath day. But here is one word of comfort, that for the elect's sak these days shall be made shorter than their enemies designed, who woul have cut all off, if God, who used these foes to serve his own purpose had not set bounds to their wrath. Christ foretells the rapid spreadin of the gospel in the world. It is plainly seen as the lightning. Chris preached his gospel openly. The Romans were like an eagle, and the ensign of their armies was an eagle. When a people, by their sin, make themselves as loathsome carcasses, nothing can be expected but that God should send enemies to destroy them. It is very applicable to the da of judgment, the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in that day, 2Th 2:1 Let us give diligence to make our calling and election sure; then ma we know that no enemy or deceiver shall ever prevail against us.
Greek Textus Receptus
εαν 1437 COND ουν 3767 CONJ ειπωσιν 2036 5632 V-2AAS-3P υμιν 5213 P-2DP ιδου 2400 5628 V-2AAM-2S εν 1722 PREP τη 3588 T-DSF ερημω 2048 A-DSF εστιν 2076 5748 V-PXI-3S μη 3361 PRT-N εξελθητε 1831 5632 V-2AAS-2P ιδου 2400 5628 V-2AAM-2S εν 1722 PREP τοις 3588 T-DPN ταμειοις 5009 N-DPN μη 3361 PRT-N πιστευσητε 4100 5661 V-AAS-2P
Vincent's NT Word Studies
26. In the desert-Secret chambers. Rev., wilderness-inner chambers. Both retired places, indicating that the false Messiahs will avoid public scrutiny.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
24:26 {In the wilderness} (en tei eremwi). Like Simon son of Gioras (Josephus, _War_, IV,9,5,&7). {In the inner chambers} (en tois tameiois). Like John of Giscala (Josephus, _War_, V,6,1). False Messiahs act the role of the Great Unseen and Unknown.
