For many came forward, when destruction was hanging over Jerusalem, saying that they were Christs, and that the time of freedom was now approaching. Many teachers of heresy also arose in the Church even in the time of the Apostles; and many Antichrists came in the name of Christ, the first of whom was Simon Magus, to whom the Samaritans, as we read in the Acts of the Apostles, listened, saying, “This man is the great power of God.” [Acts 8:10]
Wherefore also it is added here, “And shall deceive many.”
Now from the time of the Passion of our Lord there ceased not amongst the Jewish people, who chose the seditious robber and rejected Christ the Saviour, either external wars or civil discord.
Wherefore it goes on: “And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled.”
And when these come, the Apostles are warned not to be afraid, or to leave Jerusalem and Judaea, because the end was not to come at once, nay was to be put off for forty years.
And this is what is added: “for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet,” that is, the desolation of the province, and the last destruction of the city and temple.
It goes on: “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.”
Reproduced in full. Translation: Oxford 1841 (Newman), public domain (Public domain).