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The apostles repeatedly warned Jesus' followers to beware of false teachers who would introduce counterfeit-Christian beliefs. Jesus Himself warned: "Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name . . . and will deceive many" (Matthew 24:4-5).

Early on in the article, this is a curious bit of editing. What was left out?

4 Jesus said to them in reply, "See that no one deceives you.
5 For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am the Messiah,' and they will deceive many.

Oh, my.

Can't very well claim that they are saying 'I am the Messiah', can we?

It's curious to begin an article by "helping" Jesus to say what he "really" meant by modifying the word of God.

A Scriptural absolutist might take that as a hallmark of counterfeit teaching.

Early on in the article, this is a curious bit of editing. What was left out?
4 Jesus said to them in reply, "See that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am the Messiah,' and they will deceive many. Oh, my. Can't very well claim that they are saying 'I am the Messiah', can we? It's curious to begin an article by "helping" Jesus to say what he "really" meant by modifying the word of God. A Scriptural absolutist might take that as a hallmark of counterfeit teaching.

It wasn't left out for any nefarious reasons. I'm sure it was omitted because it wasn't salient to the point and watered down the message.

That being said, it could easily have been left in:

Mat 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

The phrase "I am Christ" could be understood two ways. Jesus could have been saying that they would claim that they are Christ OR he could have been saying that they will say that HE (jesus) was Christ. In other words, these deceivers would come in the name of Jesus, and say that Jesus was the Christ in order to advance their agenda.