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Jesus' Knowledge of the Hour of the Second Coming

Mark 13:32 records Jesus' explicit statement: "But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." This declaration stands as one of the most striking texts in Christology, appearing to limit the knowledge of the incarnate Christ regarding the timing of his own return. The parallel passage in Matthew 24:36 likewise affirms that the time of the Second Coming remains unknown [1].

The Biblical Evidence

Scripture consistently presents the timing of Christ's return as concealed. The New Testament employs multiple Greek terms for this event—apokalypsis, parousia, and epiphaneia—but none of these references disclose when it will occur [3]. Acts 3:19-21 speaks of "times of refreshing" and "times of restitution," while 1 Peter 1:7 refers to "the appearing of Jesus Christ," yet all maintain silence on chronology [1]. Jesus himself warned that his return would come unexpectedly, comparing it to the flood in Noah's day when people were caught unaware [4].

The question becomes acute when we observe that Jesus demonstrated supernatural knowledge throughout his ministry. He knew the thoughts of those around him [9], possessed awareness of future events including his own passion [6], and understood that his "hour" had come before the Passover [2, 5]. John Chrysostom notes that Jesus acted "having known long ago" when his departure would occur [5], suggesting foreknowledge of his death even while the timing of the Second Coming remained undisclosed.

Christological Implications

This apparent limitation of knowledge has generated substantial theological reflection. The statement "nor the Son" in Mark 13:32 indicates that during his earthly ministry, Jesus operated within the constraints of his human nature. The incarnation involved a genuine assumption of human limitations, including the boundaries of human consciousness and knowledge. This does not compromise his divine nature but rather demonstrates the reality of the hypostatic union—the joining of divine and human natures in one person.

The distinction matters because Jesus' knowledge of his own death and resurrection differs categorically from knowledge of the eschatological timetable. The former pertained to his messianic mission, which he came to accomplish; the latter belongs to the Father's sovereign prerogative over history's consummation. Jesus knew what was necessary for the completion of his redemptive work—"knowing that all things were now accomplished" at the cross [7]—but the timing of the final judgment remained within the Father's exclusive authority.

The Unknowability of the Hour

Early Christian expectation of Christ's imminent return, founded partly on Matthew 24:29-34, demonstrates that even the apostolic generation did not possess this knowledge [3]. The consistent New Testament emphasis falls not on calculating the time but on readiness. Jesus applied his predictions about the Second Coming to exhort his followers toward "consistent vigilance and obedience" [4]. The comparison to Noah's flood underscores not the magnitude of judgment but "a lack of discernment about what God is doing" among those unprepared [4].

Mark 13:32-37 structures its warning deliberately: after stating that no one knows the day or hour, it immediately pivots to the imperative to "be on guard" and "watch" [8]. The unknowability serves a pastoral purpose—it prevents speculation and demands perpetual readiness rather than calculated preparation at a predetermined moment.

This framework places Jesus' statement within the broader biblical pattern of divine sovereignty over time. The Father alone determines "the times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord" [1], and this prerogative extends even to withholding that knowledge from the incarnate Son during his earthly ministry. The text thus reveals both the genuine humanity of Christ and the Father's unique authority over the eschatological calendar.

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Second Coming of Christ, The — Time of, unknown -- Mt 24:36; Mr 13:32. Called the Times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. -- Ac 3:19. Times of restitution of all things. -- Ac 3:21; Ro 8:21. Last time. -- 1Pe 1:5. Appearing of Jesus Christ. -- 1Pe 1:7. Revelation of Jesus Christ. -- 1Pe 1:13. Glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour. -- Tit 2:13. Coming of the day of God. -- 2Pe 3:12. Day of our Lord Jesus Christ. -- 1Co 1:8. Foretold by Prophets. -- Da 7:13; Jude 1:14. Himself. -- Mt 25:31; Joh 14:3. Apostles. -- Ac 3:20; 1Ti 6:14. Angels. -- A”
  2. John “John 13:1 (YLT) — And before the feast of the passover, Jesus knowing that his hour hath come, that he may remove out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own who <FI>are<Fi> in the world--to the end he loved them.”
  3. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Revelation of Christ — The second advent of Christ. Three different Greek words are used by the apostles to express this, (1) apokalupsis (1 Cor. 1;7; 2 Thess. 1:7; 1 Pet. 1:7, 13); (2) parousia (Matt. 24:3, 27; 1 Thess. 2:19; James 5:7, 8); (3) epiphaneia (1 Tim. 6:14; 2 Tim. 1:10; 4:1-8; Titus 2:13). There existed among Christians a wide expectation, founded on Matt. 24:29, 30, 34, of the speedy return of Christ. (See [533]MILLENNIUM.)”
  4. Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 24:37: 24:37–25:46 Jesus now applied his predictions (24:1-36) to his followers so they will be faithful and prepared for his second coming. 24:37-41 Jesus’ second coming, like the flood (Gen 7), will come upon people unawares. The only adequate preparation is a life of consistent vigilance and obedience (cp. Luke 17:26-27, 34-35). 24:37 When the Son of Man returns: Jesus’ second coming (see 24:3; cp. Luke 17:26). • in Noah’s day (see Gen 6:9-22; 2 Pet 2:5; 3:5-6): The comparison here does not concern the magnitude of sins, but a lack of discernment about what God is d”
  5. CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on John & Hebrews: He willed it, to have withered him like the fig-tree, to have cut him in two as He rent the rocks, to have cleft him asunder like the veil; but He would not lead him away from his design by compulsion, but by choice. Wherefore He washed his feet; and not even by this was that wretched and miserable man shamed. “Before the feast of the Passover,” it saith, “Jesus knowing that His hour was come.” Not then “knowing,” but (it means) that He did what He did having “known” long ago. “That He should depart.” Magnificently 1960 1960 al. “magniloquently.” th”
  6. Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 11:2: 11:2-3 There have already been numerous examples of Jesus’ supernatural knowledge (2:8; 3:5; 5:30, 32; 8:17, 31), but the people’s acceptance of the reply that the Lord needs it (11:3, 6) suggests that Jesus had prearranged it (cp. 14:13-16). Jesus had intentionally planned to enter Jerusalem in fulfillment of Zech 9:9.”
  7. John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on John 19:28: After this,.... After he had committed his mother to the care of John, which was about the sixth hour, before the darkness came over the land: and three hours after this was the following circumstance, which was not without the previous knowledge of Christ: Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished; or just upon being accomplished, were as good as finished; and as they were to be, would be in a very short time; even all things relating to his sufferings, and the circumstances of them, which were afore appointed by God, and foretold in prophecy, and of which”
  8. Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 13:32: 13:32-37 Just as 13:28-31 seems to pick up the theme of 13:5-23 in speaking of the destruction of Jerusalem, 13:32-37 apparently picks up the theme of 13:24-27 and speaks of the coming of the Son of Man. An introductory warning against speculations concerning the end time (13:32) is followed by a warning to be on guard because one cannot know the time of the end (13:33). A story illustrates the need to be ready for the Lord’s return (13:34), and its application repeats the need to watch lest they be found unprepared (13:35-36); the concluding warning is also for wa”
  9. Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 9:47: 9:47 Jesus knew their thoughts: See 5:22; 7:39-40.”
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