Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 24:26

"If therefore they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the wilderness; go not forth: Behold, he is in the inner chambers; believe [it] not." — Matthew 24:26 (ASV)

It is pointless to look for Messiah’s return in the desert or in inner rooms —whether in some desert monastic community or in some hidden, unrecognized enclave for insiders. Far from it! The coming of the Son of Man will be public and unquestionable, not confined to some little group of initiates. As the lightning comes out of the east but is everywhere visible, so also the coming of the Son of Man will be visible to all people everywhere.