What Did Jesus Say About the Antichrist?
The figure of the Antichrist has fascinated and troubled readers of the Bible for centuries. While the term “Antichrist” itself does not appear in the Gospel accounts attributed to Jesus, the concept is deeply rooted in both the Old and New Testaments. Jesus’ teachings, especially in the Olivet Discourse, lay the groundwork for understanding this end-times adversary, while later New Testament writers, particularly John and Paul, expand upon these themes. This article will explore what Jesus said about the Antichrist, examine the broader biblical witness, and address related questions about the Antichrist’s identity, actions, fate, and the events that follow his appearance.
Jesus’ Teachings and the Spirit of Antichrist
Although Jesus does not use the specific term “Antichrist,” he warns repeatedly about false messiahs, deceivers, and a climactic figure of evil who will oppose God’s people. In Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21–collectively known as the Olivet Discourse–Jesus describes the signs that will precede his return. He cautions: “For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.” (Matthew 24:5)
Later, he intensifies the warning: “For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.”
(Matthew 24:24)
Here, Jesus foresees not just generic deception, but a concentrated, end-times manifestation of evil that will seek to counterfeit his own messianic identity and authority. The “false christs” and “false prophets” are forerunners or representatives of the ultimate Antichrist, who embodies opposition to God and his Messiah.
The Old Testament Background
The roots of the Antichrist figure reach back into the Old Testament, particularly in the prophetic visions of Daniel. Daniel describes a coming ruler who will exalt himself above God, persecute the saints, and desecrate the temple: “He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time.” (Daniel 7:25)
Daniel’s vision of the “little horn” (Daniel 7:8, 8:9) and the “abomination of desolation” (Daniel 9:27, 11:31, 12:11) provide the imagery that Jesus later references in his own teaching: “So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.” (Matthew 24:15-16)
Jesus thus affirms the prophetic expectation of a final, blasphemous adversary who will arise before the end.
The New Testament Expansion: Antichrist in the Apostolic Writings
The term “Antichrist” appears explicitly only in the letters of John. John clarifies that there is both a spirit of antichrist already at work and a singular, climactic Antichrist yet to come: “Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.” (1 John 2:18)
“Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.” (1 John 2:22)
Paul, in 2 Thessalonians 2, describes “the man of lawlessness” (or “man of sin”), who exalts himself and deceives many, echoing both Daniel and Jesus’ warnings: “Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.” (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4)
Paul’s “man of lawlessness” and John’s “antichrist” are two facets of the same eschatological enemy: a personal, end-times figure who embodies opposition to Jesus Christ.
The Book of Revelation and the Antichrist
The most vivid portrait of the Antichrist is found in the Book of Revelation, where he is depicted as “the beast” who rises from the sea (Revelation 13). The beast is empowered by Satan, blasphemes God, persecutes the saints, and demands worship: “And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months… It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God… Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them.” (Revelation 13:5-7)
The beast is a composite figure, drawing imagery from Daniel’s visions, and represents the final, personal Antichrist.
The Antichrist’s Head Wound
A striking detail in Revelation concerns the beast’s apparent death and resurrection: “One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast.” (Revelation 13:3)
This “head wound” is interpreted by many scholars as a satanic counterfeit of Christ’s resurrection. The healing of the mortal wound astonishes the world and leads many to worship the beast. The text does not specify whether this is a literal resurrection or a symbolic restoration of a persecuting power, but the effect is clear: the beast’s apparent triumph over death is a deception that draws people away from the true Christ.
What Does Jesus Do to the Antichrist?
The ultimate fate of the Antichrist is not left in doubt. Paul writes: “And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming.” (2 Thessalonians 2:8)
Revelation echoes this decisive victory: “And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet… These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.”
(Revelation 19:20)
Jesus’ return brings the utter defeat of the Antichrist. The one who sought to exalt himself above God is destroyed by the true King of kings. This demonstrates both the justice and the sovereignty of Christ.
What Happens After the Antichrist Comes?
According to the biblical narrative, the coming of the Antichrist marks the climax of human rebellion against God. His reign is characterized by unprecedented deception, persecution, and tribulation (Matthew 24:21-22; Revelation 13:7-10). However, his apparent victory is short-lived. The return of Jesus brings judgment upon the Antichrist and deliverance for God’s people: “Immediately after the tribulation of those days… they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” (Matthew 24:29-30)
After the defeat of the Antichrist, Revelation describes a period of Christ’s reign (Revelation 20:1-6), the final judgment (Revelation 20:11-15), and the creation of a new heaven and new earth where God dwells with his people forever (Revelation 21:1-4).
Conclusion - What Does Jesus Say About the Antichrist?
While Jesus does not use the term “Antichrist,” his teachings about false messiahs, the abomination of desolation, and end-times deception lay the foundation for the New Testament’s fuller revelation of this adversary. The Antichrist is the ultimate counterfeit, seeking to usurp Christ’s place and authority. Yet, the Bible is clear: Jesus will decisively defeat the Antichrist at his return, vindicating God’s justice and establishing his eternal kingdom. The head wound of the beast is a satanic parody of Christ’s resurrection, but it cannot save or redeem. After the Antichrist’s defeat, God’s people will experience everlasting fellowship with their Lord, free from evil and deception. The message of Scripture is one of warning, but also of hope: Christ is victorious, and all who trust in him will share in his triumph.