Matthew 24:12 (KJV)

What does Matthew 24:12 mean?

Matthew 24:12 says that as wrongdoing becomes more widespread, many people’s love will grow weaker or even disappear. Jesus is warning that increasing lawlessness in society will cause people’s natural care and concern for each other to fade.

Jesus is speaking to His disciples about future troubles and the signs before His return. He explains that as people ignore what is right (“iniquity shall abound”), the warmth and kindness that people normally show (“the love of many”) will become cold and distant. This verse highlights a warning about the effects of widespread moral decline on human relationships.

The Greek behind Matthew 24:12

• ἀνομία (anomia, “iniquity”): This word means lawlessness or living without regard for what is right. Jesus is describing a time when people will ignore moral boundaries.
• πλεονάσει (pleonasei, “shall abound”): This word means to increase greatly or multiply. The verse is not just about isolated acts of wrongdoing, but about evil becoming common and widespread.
• ἀγάπη (agapē, “love”): This is the Greek word for selfless, caring love. The warning is not just about feelings cooling off, but about a deep, active love for others growing cold.
• ψυχθήσεται (psuchthēsetai, “shall wax cold”): This word means to become cold or chill. The image is of love that once was warm and alive becoming lifeless and unfeeling.

Why Matthew 24:12 matters

• Matthew 24:12 clarifies that Jesus is not just talking about individual failures, but a general decline in society’s moral standards and the impact it has on relationships.
• The verse shows that love is not guaranteed to last when wrongdoing is unchecked; it can diminish if people are surrounded by selfishness and injustice.
• This warning fits into Jesus’ larger teaching in Matthew 24, where He describes the challenges and dangers His followers will face before His return, including the risk of losing compassion in difficult times.