False Christs refers to people who say they are the Messiah but are not, which is precisely the way many translators render the phrase. False prophets will be similar. See also verse 11.

That the pretenders should perform great signs and wonders recalls the language of Deuteronomy 13.2-4, especially as it is found in the Septuagint. Signs translates the same noun used in 12.38 (see there). Wonders appears only here in Matthew; in the New Testament the word always occurs in the plural and in combination with miracles (Mark 13.22; John 4.48; Acts 2.19, 22, 43; 4.30; 5.12; 6.8; 7.36; 14.3; 15.12; Rom 15.19; 2 Cor 12.12; 2 Thes 2.9; Heb 2.4). It is doubtful that any distinction should be sought between the two terms, but if there is a difference, then wonders may carry overtones of an evil omen. However, the fact that signs and wonders is a set phrase hints strongly that no distinction is to be made between the two terms. Translators should simply find two different ways of speaking about miracles performed to demonstrate something; for example, “great acts that show great power and amaze people.”

Lead astray (so also in verses 4, 5, 11) occurs for the final time in this chapter.

Translators may need to reorder the last half of this verse to be more natural in their language; for example, “they will perform great acts of power that amaze people in order, if at all possible, to lead astray even God’s chosen people.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1988. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .