Meaning of "If Possible" in Matthew 24:24
In Matthew 24:24, Jesus warns his disciples about false Christs and false prophets who will perform great signs and wonders, stating, "In so moche yt if it were possible ye verie electe shuld be deceaved" (Tyndale) [1]. This phrase, "if it were possible," has been interpreted in various ways, often focusing on the nature of God's power and the security of the elect.
The immediate context of Matthew 24 is Jesus's Olivet Discourse, where he describes the signs preceding the destruction of the temple and his second coming. The passage emphasizes the intensity of the deception that will arise, suggesting that the false signs will be so convincing that they could mislead even the elect, were it not for divine protection [1].
Patristic interpretations often link this expression to the human nature of Christ or the limits of human understanding. Tertullian, for example, suggests that certain declarations of Jesus, including those that speak of weakness, pertain to his human flesh [3]. Augustine of Hippo clarifies that when Jesus says "If it be possible" (as in Gethsemane), he is not questioning God's ability, but rather expressing "If Thou wilt," implying that anything God wills is possible [4]. Gregory Thaumaturgus similarly interprets "Let the cup pass" as meaning that the cup must first come to Him to pass from Him, rather than not approaching Him at all [6]. These interpretations suggest that "if it were possible" does not imply a genuine limitation on God's power, but rather a rhetorical device to emphasize the severity of the challenge or the certainty of an outcome.
In other biblical contexts, "if possible" can denote a condition dependent on external factors or a strong desire. For instance, in Romans 12:18, "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men," the phrase "if it be possible" is understood as "If others will let you," acknowledging that peace is not always achievable due to the actions of others [5]. Similarly, in Job 31:24, "If I have made gold my hope," the "if" introduces a hypothetical condition [2]. The Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary on Acts 2:24, regarding Christ's resurrection, states it "was not possible he should be holden of it," indicating an impossibility rooted in prophetic assurance and Christ's nature as "the Living One" [7].
The phrase in Matthew 24:24, therefore, underscores the formidable nature of the deception while simultaneously affirming the ultimate security of the elect. It highlights that the power of the false prophets will be so great that it would deceive even the chosen, if such a deception were within the bounds of God's permissive will for them. However, because of God's protective will, it is not truly possible for the elect to be ultimately deceived.
Sources
- Matthew “Matthew 24:24 (Tyndale) — For there shall arise false christes and false prophete and shall do great myracles and wondres. In so moche yt if it were possible ye verie electe shuld be deceaved.”
- Job “Job 31:24 (LITV) — If I have made gold my hope or have called fine gold my trust;”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 4: Tertullian IV, Minucius Felix, Commodian, Origen — CHAP. XXV. (part 1): We have mentioned in the preceding pages that there are some of the declarations of Jesus which refer to that Being in Him which was the "first-born of every creature," such as, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life," and such like; and others, again, which belong to that in Him which is understood to be man, such as, "But now ye seek to kill Me, a man that hath told you the truth which I have heard of the Father."(5) And here, accordingly, he describes the element of weakness belonging to human flesh, and ”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 6: Augustine — Homilies on the Gospels — CHAP. IV.--OF WHAT TOOK PLACE IN THE PIECE OF GROUND OR GARDEN TO WHICH THEY CAME ON LEAVING THE HOUSE AFTER THE SUPPER; AND OF THE METHOD IN WHICH, IN JOHN'S SILENCE ON THE SUBJECT, A REAL HARMONY CA (part 4): prevent any one from supposing that He made the Father's power less than it is when He said, "If it be possible." For thus His words were not "If Thou canst do it" but "If it be possible. And anything is possible which He wills. Therefore, the expression, "If it be possible," has here just the same force as, "If Thou wilt." For Mark has”
- Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 12:18: If it be possible--that is, If others will let you. as much as lieth in you--or, "dependeth on you." live peaceably--or, "be at peace." with all men--The impossibility of this in some cases is hinted at, to keep up the hearts of those who, having done their best unsuccessfully to live in peace, might be tempted to think the failure was necessarily owing to themselves. But how emphatically expressed is the injunction to let nothing on our part prevent it! Would that Christians were guiltless in this respect!”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 6: Gregory Thaumaturgus, Dionysius, Julius Africanus, Methodius, Arnobius — AN INTERPRETATION.--CHAP. XXII. 42-48. (part 1): Ver. 42. "Father, if Thou be willing to remove(10) this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but Thine, be done." But let these things be enough to say on the subject of the will. This word, however, "Let the cup pass," does not mean, Let it not come near me, or approach me.(11) For what can "pass from Him," certainly must first come nigh Him; and what does pass thus from Him, must be by Him. For if it does not reach Him, it cannot pass from Him. For He takes t”
- Acts (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Acts 2:24: was not possible he should be holden of it--Glorious saying! It was indeed impossible that "the Living One" should remain "among the dead" (Luk 24:5); but here, the impossibility seems to refer to the prophetic assurance that He should not see corruption.”