Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Mark 13:5

"And Jesus began to say unto them, Take heed that no man lead you astray." — Mark 13:5 (ASV)

The first word of the discourse proper is “Watch out” (GK 1063), a word that recurs throughout the passage (vv.9, 23, 33, where it is translated as “be on your guard”)—a clear indication that admonition is obviously one of Jesus’ main concerns. He was warning against false claimants to messiahship. That Jesus said there would be many such false messiahs suggests that his statement should be understood broadly. Although before A. D. 70 few claimed to be the Messiah in the strictest sense, many claimed to have messianic authority. Furthermore, the reference may also look to the time preceding the End.