John Calvin Commentary Matthew 24:5

"For many shall come in my name, saying, I am the Christ; and shall lead many astray." — Matthew 24:5 (ASV)

For many shall come in my name. He does not yet speak generally of false and perverse doctrines, but refers to one class that was a kind of introduction to all errors, by which Satan has attempted, in various ways, to corrupt the pure doctrine of the Gospel.

For shortly after Christ’s resurrection, impostors arose, each of whom professed to be the Christ. And as the true Redeemer had not only been removed from the world, but oppressed by the disgrace of the cross, and yet the minds of all were excited by the hope and inflamed with the desire of redemption, those men had a plausible opportunity of deceiving.

It cannot be doubted that God permitted such delusions to deceive the Jews, who had so despicably rejected his Son. Though those mad attempts quickly disappeared, God determined that disturbances of this kind would arise among the Jews: first, that they might be exposed to disgrace and hatred; secondly, that they might altogether abandon the hope of salvation; and, lastly, that having been so frequently disappointed, they might rush to their destruction with brutal stupidity.

For when the world turned away from the Son of God, whose role it was to gather them into holy union, it was right that it should be driven to and fro by tempests. By the same vengeance of God it resulted that more were carried away by a foolish credulity than were brought by a right faith to obey God.

This circumstance, too, was expressly stated by Christ, that believers might not lose heart at perceiving the crowd of madmen; for we know how prone we are to follow a multitude, especially when we are few in number.