Saying, I am - The Christ, is added by eight MSS., Coptic, Armenian, Saxon, and four of the Itala.

For many shall come in my name,.... Taking upon them the name of the Messiah: saying,

I am Christ; the word "Christ", is rightly supplied from Matthew 24:5; otherwise in the original it is only, "I am"; which the Persic version doubles, reading it, "I am indeed, I:am": he that was promised and expected, the true Messiah; he that was to come:

and shall deceive many; See Gill on Matthew 24:5.

In my name (ἐπί)

Lit., upon. Basing their claims on the use of my name.

For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

6. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ-(see Mt 24:5)-"and the time draweth nigh" (Lu 21:8); that is, the time of the kingdom in its full splendor.

and shall deceive many-"Go ye not therefore after them" (Lu 21:8). The reference here seems not to be to pretended Messiahs, deceiving those who rejected the claims of Jesus, of whom indeed there were plenty-for our Lord is addressing His own genuine disciples-but to persons pretending to be Jesus Himself, returned in glory to take possession of His kingdom. This gives peculiar force to the words, "Go ye not therefore after them."

13:5-13 Our Lord Jesus, in reply to the disciples' question, does not so much satisfy their curiosity as direct their consciences. When many are deceived, we should thereby be awakened to look to ourselves. And the disciples of Christ, if it be not their own fault, may enjoy holy security and peace of mind, when all around is in disorder. But they must take heed that they are not drawn away from Christ and their duty to him, by the sufferings they will meet with for his sake. They shall be hated of all men: trouble enough! Yet the work they were called to should be carried on and prosper. Though they may be crushed and borne down, the gospel cannot be. The salvation promised is more than deliverance from evil, it is everlasting blessedness.