CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 24:12 Because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/24-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/40_Mat_24_12.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 24:12 - Witnessing to All Nations" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/matthew/24-12.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/matthew/24-12.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/matthew/">Matthew</a> > <a href="/matthew/24.htm">Chapter 24</a> > Verse 12</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad12.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/matthew/24-11.htm" title="Matthew 24:11">◄</a> Matthew 24:12 <a href="/matthew/24-13.htm" title="Matthew 24:13">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/matthew/24.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/matthew/24.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/matthew/24.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/matthew/24.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/matthew/24.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/24.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And because lawlessness is to be multiplied, the love of the many will grow cold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/matthew/24.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/matthew/24.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/matthew/24.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will become cold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/matthew/24.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Because lawlessness is increased, most people&#8217s love will grow cold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/matthew/24.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“And because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/matthew/24.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And because lawlessness is multiplied, most people’s love will grow cold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/matthew/24.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Because lawlessness is increased, the love of most people will grow cold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/matthew/24.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Because lawlessness will multiply, the love of many will grow cold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/matthew/24.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Because lawlessness will multiply, the love of many will grow cold. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/matthew/24.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And because iniquity shall be multiplied, the love of the many shall wax cold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/matthew/24.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Evil will spread and cause many people to stop loving others. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/matthew/24.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And because iniquity shall be multiplied, the love of the many shall wax cold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/matthew/24.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />And because there will be more and more lawlessness, most people's love will grow cold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/matthew/24.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Such will be the spread of evil that many people's love will grow cold. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/matthew/24.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />and because lawlessness will increase, the love of many people will grow cold. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/matthew/24.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/matthew/24.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />and because lawlessness will increase so much, the love of many will grow cold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/matthew/24.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And because lawlessness is multiplied, the love of many will grow cold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/matthew/24.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And because iniquity will abound, the love of many will become cold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/24.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />and because of the prevalent disregard of God's law the love of the great majority will grow cold;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/matthew/24.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Because iniquity will be multiplied, the love of many will grow cold. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/matthew/24.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and because of the abounding of the lawlessness, the love of the many will become cold;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/24.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And because lawlessness is to be multiplied, the love of the many will grow cold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/matthew/24.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and because of the abounding of the lawlessness, the love of the many shall become cold;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/matthew/24.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And because anxiety shall increase, the love of many shall be cooled.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/matthew/24.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And because iniquity hath abounded, the charity of many shall grow cold. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/matthew/24.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And because iniquity has abounded, the charity of many will grow cold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/matthew/24.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />and because of the increase of evildoing, the love of many will grow cold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/matthew/24.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />And because of the increase of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/matthew/24.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And because of the growth of iniquity, the love of many will become cold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/24.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />And because of the abundance of evil, the love of many will grow cold.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/matthew/24.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />and because iniquity abounds, the love of many will grow cold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/matthew/24.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>And because iniquity doth abound, the divine love of many will grow cold.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/matthew/24.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many will grow cool.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/matthew/24.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />and as iniquity becomes more flagrant, the zeal of many will grow cool.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/24.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />and because of the prevalent disregard of God's law the love of the great majority will grow cold;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/matthew/24.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>and, because lawlessness abounds, the love of many will grow cold.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/matthew/24.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>the love of many will grow cold.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/matthew/24-12.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=7141" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/matthew/24.htm">Witnessing to All Nations</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">11</span>and many false prophets will arise and mislead many. <span class="reftext">12</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: Kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/1223.htm" title="1223: dia (Prep) -- A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.">Because of</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-ANS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/4129.htm" title="4129: plēthynthēnai (V-ANP) -- To increase, multiply. From another form of plethos; to increase.">the multiplication</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/458.htm" title="458: anomian (N-AFS) -- Lawlessness, iniquity, disobedience, sin. From anomos; illegality, i.e. Violation of law or wickedness.">of wickedness,</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/26.htm" title="26: agapē (N-NFS) -- From agapao; love, i.e. Affection or benevolence; specially a love-feast.">love</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tōn (Art-GMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">of</a> <a href="/greek/4183.htm" title="4183: pollōn (Adj-GMP) -- Much, many; often. ">most</a> <a href="/greek/5594.htm" title="5594: psygēsetai (V-FIP-3S) -- To cool, pass: I grow cold. A primary verb; to breathe, i.e. to chill.">will grow cold.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">13</span>But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/3-1.htm">2 Timothy 3:1-5</a></span><br />But understand this: In the last days terrible times will come. / For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, / unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_thessalonians/2-3.htm">2 Thessalonians 2:3</a></span><br />Let no one deceive you in any way, for it will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness—the son of destruction—is revealed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/3-3.htm">2 Peter 3:3-4</a></span><br />Most importantly, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. / “Where is the promise of His coming?” they will ask. “Ever since our fathers fell asleep, everything continues as it has from the beginning of creation.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/4-7.htm">1 John 4:7-8</a></span><br />Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. / Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/2-4.htm">Revelation 2:4</a></span><br />But I have this against you: You have abandoned your first love.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/4-1.htm">1 Timothy 4:1-2</a></span><br />Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, / influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/18-8.htm">Luke 18:8</a></span><br />I tell you, He will promptly carry out justice on their behalf. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-28.htm">Romans 1:28-31</a></span><br />Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. / They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, / slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful. They invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/5-19.htm">Galatians 5:19-21</a></span><br />The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; / idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, / and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/2-18.htm">1 John 2:18</a></span><br />Children, it is the last hour; and just as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have appeared. This is how we know it is the last hour.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jude/1-18.htm">Jude 1:18-19</a></span><br />when they said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow after their own ungodly desires.” / These are the ones who cause divisions, who are worldly and devoid of the Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/12-10.htm">Daniel 12:10</a></span><br />Many will be purified, made spotless, and refined, but the wicked will continue to act wickedly. None of the wicked will understand, but the wise will understand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/5-20.htm">Isaiah 5:20</a></span><br />Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness to light and light to darkness, who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/7-2.htm">Micah 7:2-4</a></span><br />The godly man has perished from the earth; there is no one upright among men. They all lie in wait for blood; they hunt one another with a net. / Both hands are skilled at evil; the prince and the judge demand a bribe. When the powerful utters his evil desire, they all conspire together. / The best of them is like a brier; the most upright is sharper than a hedge of thorns. The day for your watchmen has come, the day of your visitation. Now is the time of their confusion.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/4-1.htm">Hosea 4:1-2</a></span><br />Hear the word of the LORD, O children of Israel, for the LORD has a case against the people of the land: “There is no truth, no loving devotion, and no knowledge of God in the land! / Cursing and lying, murder and stealing, and adultery are rampant; one act of bloodshed follows another.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.</p><p class="hdg">because.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/james/4-1.htm">James 4:1-4</a></b></br> From whence <i>come</i> wars and fightings among you? <i>come they</i> not hence, <i>even</i> of your lusts that war in your members? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/james/5-1.htm">James 5:1-6</a></b></br> Go to now, <i>ye</i> rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon <i>you</i>… </p><p class="hdg">the love.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/revelation/2-4.htm">Revelation 2:4,5,10</a></b></br> Nevertheless I have <i>somewhat</i> against thee, because thou hast left thy first love… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/revelation/3-15.htm">Revelation 3:15</a></b></br> I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/5-20.htm">Abound</a> <a href="/joel/2-13.htm">Abounding</a> <a href="/matthew/10-42.htm">Cold</a> <a href="/matthew/23-28.htm">Disregard</a> <a href="/matthew/23-28.htm">God's</a> <a href="/matthew/23-4.htm">Great</a> <a href="/matthew/21-19.htm">Grow</a> <a href="/zechariah/10-8.htm">Increase</a> <a href="/malachi/4-2.htm">Increased</a> <a href="/matthew/23-28.htm">Iniquity</a> <a href="/matthew/23-7.htm">Love</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/12-29.htm">Majority</a> <a href="/zechariah/10-8.htm">Multiplied</a> <a href="/matthew/13-15.htm">People's</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/6-1.htm">Prevalent</a> <a href="/micah/1-4.htm">Wax</a> <a href="/matthew/22-18.htm">Wickedness</a> <a href="/matthew/23-28.htm">Wrongdoing</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/romans/3-7.htm">Abound</a> <a href="/acts/9-36.htm">Abounding</a> <a href="/john/18-18.htm">Cold</a> <a href="/luke/11-42.htm">Disregard</a> <a href="/matthew/24-22.htm">God's</a> <a href="/matthew/24-21.htm">Great</a> <a href="/mark/4-27.htm">Grow</a> <a href="/matthew/25-27.htm">Increase</a> <a href="/mark/4-8.htm">Increased</a> <a href="/luke/13-27.htm">Iniquity</a> <a href="/mark/12-30.htm">Love</a> <a href="/acts/19-32.htm">Majority</a> <a href="/acts/6-1.htm">Multiplied</a> <a href="/acts/28-27.htm">People's</a> <a href="/james/1-21.htm">Prevalent</a> <a href="/luke/12-33.htm">Wax</a> <a href="/mark/7-22.htm">Wickedness</a> <a href="/mark/7-22.htm">Wrongdoing</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 24</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/24-1.htm">Jesus foretells the destruction of the temple;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/24-3.htm">what and how great calamities shall be before it;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">29. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/24-29.htm">the signs of his coming to judgment.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">36. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/24-36.htm">And because that day and hour are unknown,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">42. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/24-42.htm">we ought to watch like good servants, expecting our Master's coming.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/24.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/24.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Because of the multiplication of wickedness</b><br>This phrase indicates a significant increase in sinful behavior and moral decay. In the context of <a href="/matthew/24.htm">Matthew 24</a>, Jesus is speaking about the signs of the end times, warning His disciples about the challenges they will face. The "multiplication of wickedness" suggests a widespread and pervasive increase in lawlessness and rebellion against God. This aligns with the prophetic warnings found in <a href="/2_timothy/3.htm">2 Timothy 3:1-5</a>, where Paul describes the last days as perilous times characterized by selfishness, pride, and a lack of natural affection. Historically, this can be seen in the decline of moral standards in various societies, often leading to societal collapse. Theologically, it reflects the human condition post-Fall, where sin continues to corrupt and spread.<p><b>the love of most will grow cold</b><br>This phrase highlights the impact of increased wickedness on the hearts of believers. The "love" referred to here is often understood as agape love, the selfless, sacrificial love that is a hallmark of Christian life. As wickedness increases, many will find their love for God and others diminishing. This can be connected to <a href="/revelation/2-4.htm">Revelation 2:4</a>, where the church in Ephesus is admonished for abandoning their first love. The cultural context of the early church, facing persecution and internal strife, mirrors the challenges that can cause love to grow cold. Spiritually, this serves as a warning to remain vigilant and steadfast in faith, maintaining love through the power of the Holy Spirit, as emphasized in <a href="/romans/5-5.htm">Romans 5:5</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a></b><br>The speaker of this prophecy, Jesus is addressing His disciples on the Mount of Olives, providing them with insights into the end times and the signs of His coming.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/d/disciples.htm">Disciples</a></b><br>The immediate audience of Jesus' discourse, they are seeking understanding about the future and the signs of the end of the age.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/mount_of_olives.htm">Mount of Olives</a></b><br>The location where Jesus delivers the Olivet Discourse, a significant place in biblical prophecy and Jesus' ministry.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/e/end_times.htm">End Times</a></b><br>The period Jesus is describing, characterized by increased wickedness and a decline in love among people.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/w/wickedness.htm">Wickedness</a></b><br>The moral decay and lawlessness that will be prevalent in the end times, leading to a cooling of love.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/r/recognizing_the_signs.htm">Recognizing the Signs</a></b><br>Believers should be aware of the signs of the times, including the increase of wickedness, and remain vigilant in their faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/guarding_against_coldness.htm">Guarding Against Coldness</a></b><br>It is crucial to actively cultivate love in our hearts and communities, resisting the temptation to let our love grow cold.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/strengthening_community.htm">Strengthening Community</a></b><br>In times of moral decline, the Christian community should support one another, encouraging love and good deeds.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/personal_reflection.htm">Personal Reflection</a></b><br>Regular self-examination can help believers identify areas where their love may be waning and take steps to rekindle it.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/prayer_and_dependence_on_god.htm">Prayer and Dependence on God</a></b><br>Relying on God through prayer and the Holy Spirit is essential to maintain a warm and loving heart in a world growing cold.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_24.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 24</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'love_growing_cold'_mean.htm">What does "the love of many will grow cold" mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_is_the_author_of_the_book_of_hosea.htm">What does increased lawlessness imply?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_increased_lawlessness_imply.htm">What does increased lawlessness imply?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_the_signs_of_the_end_times.htm">What are the signs of the end times?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/24.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(12) <span class= "bld">Because iniquity shall abound</span> <span class= "bld">. . .</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">lawlessness.</span> No word could more fitly represent the condition of Judaea in the time just referred to: brigandage, massacres, extortion, assassination, came to be common things.<p><span class= "bld">The love of many</span> <span class= "bld">. . .</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">of the many</span>; the greater part of the true Israel who would be found in the Church of Christ; perhaps, also, the greater part of the nation as such. This was the natural result of the condition of things implied in the "lawlessness." The tendency of all such times, as seen in the histories of famines, and pestilences, and revolutions, is to intensify selfishness, both in the more excusable form of self-preservation, and in the darker form of self-aggrandisement. In the tendency to "forsake the assembling of themselves together" among the Hebrew Christians, we have, perhaps, one instance of the love waxing cold (<a href="/hebrews/10-25.htm" title="Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching.">Hebrews 10:25</a>).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/24.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 12.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Because iniquity shall abound</span> (<span class="greek">πληθυνθῆναι</span>, is <span class="accented">multiplied</span>). The word rendered "iniquity" is <span class="greek">ἀνομία</span>, "lawlessness," general immorality and licence. Impatience of rule and discipline, connivance at and imitation of heathen practices, reacted upon the faith of believers, undermined steadfast adherence to principle. Then was the power of "that wicked one" (<span class="greek">ὁ ἄνομος</span>, <a href="/2_thessalonians/2-8.htm">2 Thessalonians 2:8</a>) exercised and seen in the lapse of the unstable. <span class="cmt_word">The love of many</span> (<span class="greek">τῶν πολλῶν</span>, the many, the majority) <span class="cmt_word">shall wax cold.</span> "Love" (<span class="greek">ἀγάπη</span>) here is used in its general and comprehensive sense, as having God as its chief object and man in subordination thereto. The troubles and persecutions that shall beset believers, the spirit of worldliness and self-seeking that a timid faith encourages, will issue in loosening dependence upon God and trust in his providential care; and internal dissensions will destroy that brotherly love which ought to be characteristic of Christians. Of this lack of energetic love the Lord speaks in his warnings to the Church of Laodicea (<a href="/revelation/3-16.htm">Revelation 3:16</a>), "Because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/matthew/24-12.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">Because of</span><br /><span class="grk">διὰ</span> <span class="translit">(dia)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1223.htm">Strong's 1223: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the multiplication</span><br /><span class="grk">πληθυνθῆναι</span> <span class="translit">(plēthynthēnai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Infinitive Passive<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4129.htm">Strong's 4129: </a> </span><span class="str2">To increase, multiply. From another form of plethos; to increase.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of wickedness,</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀνομίαν</span> <span class="translit">(anomian)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_458.htm">Strong's 458: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lawlessness, iniquity, disobedience, sin. From anomos; illegality, i.e. Violation of law or wickedness.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the</span><br /><span class="grk">ἡ</span> <span class="translit">(hē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">love</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀγάπη</span> <span class="translit">(agapē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_26.htm">Strong's 26: </a> </span><span class="str2">From agapao; love, i.e. Affection or benevolence; specially a love-feast.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of</span><br /><span class="grk">τῶν</span> <span class="translit">(tōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Genitive Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">most</span><br /><span class="grk">πολλῶν</span> <span class="translit">(pollōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4183.htm">Strong's 4183: </a> </span><span class="str2">Much, many; often. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">will grow cold.</span><br /><span class="grk">ψυγήσεται</span> <span class="translit">(psygēsetai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5594.htm">Strong's 5594: </a> </span><span class="str2">To cool, pass: I grow cold. A primary verb; to breathe, i.e. to chill.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/24-12.htm">Matthew 24:12 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/matthew/24-12.htm">Matthew 24:12 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/matthew/24-12.htm">Matthew 24:12 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/matthew/24-12.htm">Matthew 24:12 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/matthew/24-12.htm">Matthew 24:12 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/24-12.htm">Matthew 24:12 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/24-12.htm">Matthew 24:12 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/24-12.htm">Matthew 24:12 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/24-12.htm">Matthew 24:12 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/matthew/24-12.htm">Matthew 24:12 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/matthew/24-12.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 24:12 Because iniquity will be multiplied the love (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/24-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 24:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 24:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/24-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 24:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 24:13" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>