“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)
Jesus emphasizes that not even the Son knows the precise "day and hour," highlighting a deliberate limitation in his earthly knowledge. This isn't a flaw in his divine nature, but a profound humility in his humanity, revealing that this specific knowledge is exclusively held by the Father as part of His sovereign plan.
“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)
Jesus has just used the fig tree as an illustration, showing that just as we can tell when summer is near by the budding leaves, the signs he just described mean his return is imminent. He emphasized that the current generation would see these events, and that his words are more enduring than the entire universe. Now, he pivots to say that while the signs point to the approach of that day, its exact timing is completely unknown to everyone except the Father.
Jesus tells His disciples that certain signs mean summer is coming, but then says no one knows the exact day or hour of His return. How can both be true?
Jesus uses the analogy of the fig tree to show that while there are clear signs that point to the coming of God's kingdom and His return, these signs don't reveal the exact timing.
Signs vs. Schedule
Jesus states that not even He, as the Son, knows the day or hour – only the Father. What does this reveal about God and Jesus' humanity?
This verse is incredibly profound! It highlights the unique role of the Father and the distinct nature of Jesus' humanity.
The Father's Prerogative
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The Son's Humility and Humanity
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' teaching here, delivered in the context of anticipating the imminent destruction of Jerusalem, emphasizes that while signs point to the nearness of God's kingdom and judgment, the precise timing of His ultimate return remains divinely hidden. This perspective serves as a vital caution against date-setting and encourages constant readiness.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Jesus' Olivet Discourse
Jesus delivers a discourse on the Mount of Olives to his disciples, answering their questions about the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple and the signs of his coming and the end of the age.
c. 40-50 AD
Early Church Spread
The Gospel message spreads rapidly beyond Jerusalem and Judea, with the formation of early Christian communities in various regions.
c. 62-67 AD
Paul's Epistles Written
Apostle Paul writes letters to various churches, addressing theological questions, offering guidance, and sometimes discussing eschatological themes in light of Christ's return.
70 AD
Destruction of Jerusalem Temple
The Roman army under Titus destroys Jerusalem and the Second Temple, a pivotal event that fulfilled Jesus' prophecy and significantly impacted Jewish and Christian communities.
Jesus tells His disciples it's not for them to know the times or seasons, which the Father has set by His own authority. This echoes Matthew 24:36 by emphasizing that such specific timing is divinely controlled and not for human knowledge.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-2Paul describes the 'day of the Lord' coming 'like a thief in the night,' highlighting its unexpected and unknown timing for people. This reinforces the mystery surrounding the exact hour of Christ's return, as stated in Matthew 24:36.
2 Peter 3:10Peter states that the day of the Lord will come unexpectedly, 'when the heavens will pass away with a roar.' This connects to Matthew 24:36 by reinforcing the suddenness and unknown timing of the final judgment, which even the disciples, and the Son himself, did not know.
Philippians 2:7The passage speaks of Jesus 'emptied himself,' taking the form of a servant and becoming human. This helps understand how Jesus, as the incarnate Son, could state He didn't know the day and hour, not out of a lack of divine power, but as a limitation accepted 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…
Jesus emphasizes that not even the Son knows the precise "day and hour," highlighting a deliberate limitation in his earthly knowledge. This isn't a flaw in his divine nature, but a profound humility in his humanity, revealing that this specific knowledge is exclusively held by the Father as part of His sovereign plan.
Jesus has just used the fig tree as an illustration, showing that just as we can tell when summer is near by the budding leaves, the signs he just described mean his return is imminent. He emphasized that the current generation would see these events, and that his words are more enduring than the entire universe. Now, he pivots to say that while the signs point to the approach of that day, its exact timing is completely unknown to everyone except the Father.
Jesus has just used the fig tree as an illustration, showing that just as we can tell when summer is near by the budding leaves, the signs he just described mean his return is imminent. He emphasized that the current generation would see these events, and that his words are more enduring than the entire universe. Now, he pivots to say that while the signs point to the approach of that day, its exact timing is completely unknown to everyone except the Father.
"“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only." — Jesus emphasizes that not even the Son knows the precise "day and hour," highlighting a deliberate limitation in his earthly knowledge. This isn't a flaw in his divine nature, but a profound humility…
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Last reviewed October 2026