Matthew 24:26

(Luke 17:23.) If they] i.e. they who are deluded by false Messiahs. Behold, he] viz. the Messiah. In the desert] Some of the false prophets did actually lead out their dupes to the desert. In the secret (RV 'inner') chambers] a poetical expression for 'in hiding.'

27, 28. Whether these vv. describe Christ's coming to destroy Jerusalem, or His second coming to judge the world, or both, is doubtful. The context suggests that the destruction of Jerusalem is meant, but it is just the context which is doubtful, for St. Mark omits both vv., and St. Luke gives them in quite a different connexion. As originally spoken, they probably referred to Christ's second coming.