“And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.”
And Jesus answered them: see that no one leads you astray. The opening warning — the primary command of the entire Olivet Discourse — is see that no one leads you astray. Before describing any signs, Jesus warns against the deception that will accompany the signs. The discourse that follows is as much a warning against false interpretation as a prediction of future events.
Church Fathers on Matthew 24:4
The Lord continuing His walk arrives at Mount Olivet, having by the way foretold the destruction of the temple to those disciples who had shewn and commended the buildings. When they had reached the Mount they came to Him, asking Him further of this.
They asked Him in private, because they were great things about which they were going to ask Him. They wished to know the day of His coming, for the vehement desire they had to see His glory.
They ask Him three things. First, The time of the destruction of Jerusalem, saying, 'Tell us when shall these things be?' Secondly, The time of Christ’s coming, saying, 'And what shall be the sign of Thy coming?' Thirdly, The time of the consummation of this world, saying, 'And of the end of the world?'
Read all 11 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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