Lo, I have foretold it to you. Mark expresses our Lord's meaning more fully. But take heed: lo, I have foretold you all things. By these words we are taught that they who are dismayed by the stumbling-blocks which Christ predicted are altogether inexcusable; for since the will of God ought to be our rule, it is sufficient that we have received timely warning that such is his pleasure. Again, as he declares that he is faithful, and will not suffer us to be tempted beyond what we are able to bear, (1-Corinthians 10:13,) we shall never be in want of strength to resist, provided that our weakness be not nourished by indifference.

Behold, I have told you before - Mark adds Mark 13:23, "take ye heed." The reason why he told them before was that they might be on their guard, and be prepared for those calamities.

Behold, I have told you before - That is, I have forewarned you.

Behold, I have told you before. Meaning not before in this discourse, though he had in Matthew 24:5 signified also, that false Christs, and false prophets should arise, but before these things came to pass; so that they had sufficient notice and warning of them, and would be inexcusable if they were not upon their guard against them; and which, when they came to pass, would furnish out a considerable argument in proof of him, as the true Messiah, against all these false ones, showing him to be omniscient; and so would serve to establish their faith in him, and be a means of securing them from such deceivers.