Matthew 24:36
“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Even though Jesus had just spoken about signs that would indicate his return was near, he emphasizes that the exact time of that day and hour is a secret held only by the Father. This isn't just a minor detail; it shows that true wisdom lies not in trying to predict the future, but in living faithfully in the present, ready for whatever God has planned.
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Why would Jesus, who knows all things, say that even He doesn't know the exact day and hour of His return? It’s a profound statement about divine authority and our place within it.
Jesus states plainly, 'no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.' This isn't about a lack of ability, but a deliberate withholding of information.
Divine Prerogative
A Check on Human Curiosity
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It's mind-bending that Jesus, fully God, would experience not knowing something so significant. What does this teach us about His humanity?
The inclusion of 'nor the Son' is incredibly significant. It points to Jesus' full humanity, not a deficiency in His divinity.
The Two Natures of Christ
A Model for Faith
Understand the original words
hēmera · Greek Noun
The appointed time or epoch determined by God for the fulfillment of His sovereign purposes, often referring to the eschatological end or judgment.
angelos · Greek Noun
Spiritual beings created by God who serve as His messengers and agents. Their limited knowledge relative to God highlights the mystery of His redemptive timeline.
Jesus tells His disciples that it's not for them to know the times or seasons, which the Father has set by His own authority, echoing the sentiment that certain knowledge is reserved by God.
1 Thessalonians 5:2This passage directly parallels Matthew 24:36, stating that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night, emphasizing its unknowable timing for believers.
2 Peter 3:10Peter describes the coming of the Day of the Lord, noting that it will come unexpectedly like a thief, reinforcing the theme of the unknowable timing found in Matthew 24:36.
Philippians 2:7This verse speaks of Jesus 'emptying Himself' and taking the form of a servant, which scholars suggest relates to His voluntary limitation of certain divine knowledge, including the exact time of His return, while in His human nature.
barnesMatthew 24:36: "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only."
But of that day and hour - Of the precise time of the fulfillment. The "general signs" of its approach have been given, as the budding of the fig-tree is a certain indication that summer is near; but "the precise time" is not indicated by these things. One part of their inquiry was Matthew 24:3 when those things should be. He now replies to them by saying that the precise time would not b…
bensonMatthew 24:36: "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only."
Matthew 24:36 . But of that day and hour knoweth no man, &c. — I consider ωρα , hour, here, says Grotius, as denoting, not a part of a day, but a larger portion of time. So also Bishop Newton, who observes, “It would seem improper to say, Of that day and hour knoweth no man; for if the day was not known, certainly the hour was not, and it was superfluous to make such an addition. I concei…
Even though Jesus had just spoken about signs that would indicate his return was near, he emphasizes that the exact time of that day and hour is a secret held only by the Father. This isn't just a minor detail; it shows that true wisdom lies not in trying to predict the future, but in living faithfully in the present, ready for whatever God has planned.
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{ "hasHistoricalBackground": true, "events": [ { "date": "c. AD 30", "title": "Jesus' Olivet Discourse", "description": "Jesus delivers a significant discourse on the Mount of Olives, prophesying about the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple and the signs of His eventual return.", "isCurrentContext": true }, { "date": "c. AD 62-66", "title": "Growing Tensions in Judea", "description": "Tensions rise between Jewish Zealots and Roman authorities, leading to increasing unrest and rebellion in Judea.", "isCurrentContext": false }, { "date": "AD 70", "title": "Destruction of Jerusalem", "description": "Roman legions under Titus conquer Jerusalem and destroy the Second Temple, fulfilling Jesus' prophecy in Matthew 24:1-2.", "isCurrentContext": false } ], "summaryInsight": "Jesus distinguishes between the signs pointing to the imminent destruction of Jerusalem and the unknown 'day and hour' of His final return, reminding His followers that while some events are predictable, the ultimate timing rests solely with the Father." }
"“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only." — Even though Jesus had just spoken about signs that would indicate his return was near, he emphasizes that the exact time of that day and hour is a secret held only by the Father. This isn't just a…
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