Acts 1:7

And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

And {G1161} he said {G2036} unto {G4314} them {G846}, It is {G2076} not {G3756} for you {G5216} to know {G1097} the times {G5550} or {G2228} the seasons {G2540}, which {G3739} the Father {G3962} hath put {G5087} in {G1722} his own {G2398} power {G1849}.

He answered, “You don’t need to know the dates or the times; the Father has kept these under his own authority.

Jesus replied, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority.

And he said unto them, It is not for you to know times or seasons, which the Father hath set within his own authority.

Acts 1:7 (KJV) presents Jesus' direct response to His disciples' curiosity about the timing of the restoration of the Kingdom of Israel, just before His ascension. He firmly redirects their focus from speculative future events to their immediate mission, emphasizing the Father's exclusive authority over prophetic timelines.

Context

This verse immediately follows a question from the disciples in Acts 1:6: "Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?" Having witnessed Jesus' resurrection and spent 40 days learning from Him, their minds were still fixed on an earthly, political restoration of Israel's sovereignty. They were eager to know when this glorious kingdom would be established. Jesus' reply serves as a crucial teaching moment, shifting their perspective from nationalistic expectations and chronological speculation to the divine plan and their role within it.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Sovereignty over Time: The primary message is God the Father's absolute control over the "times or the seasons" of prophetic fulfillment. This truth underscores God's omnipotence and wisdom, reminding believers that the detailed unfolding of history, especially end-time events, rests solely in His hands.
  • Misplaced Curiosity: Jesus gently rebukes their preoccupation with precise timing. Their curiosity, while understandable, was diverting them from their true calling. He teaches that some knowledge is reserved for God alone, and humanity's role is not to penetrate these divine mysteries but to obey His known will.
  • Focus on Mission, Not Speculation: By stating it is "not for you to know," Jesus implicitly directs their attention away from when the Kingdom would be restored and towards what they were to do next. This sets the stage for the command given in Acts 1:8, which outlines their empowerment by the Holy Spirit for global witness.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses two distinct Greek words translated as "times" and "seasons":

  • "times" (chronos): Refers to general chronological time, duration, or a period.
  • "seasons" (kairos): Denotes an appointed time, an opportune moment, or a specific season for an event.

By using both terms, Jesus emphasizes that neither the general period nor the specific moment of these future events is for them to know. Both are exclusively within the Father's "own power" (exousia), signifying His inherent authority and absolute control.

Related Scriptures

This principle of God's exclusive knowledge regarding future timing is echoed elsewhere in Scripture. Jesus Himself stated His own lack of knowledge concerning the day and hour of His return, reinforcing the Father's sole prerogative: "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only" (Matthew 24:36). This theme reinforces the concept of God's sovereignty over all things, including the prophetic timetable.

Practical Application

For believers today, Acts 1:7 serves as a vital reminder:

  • Trust God's Timing: We are called to trust God's perfect plan and timing for all events, rather than attempting to predict or force prophetic fulfillment.
  • Focus on Obedience and Mission: Our energy and attention should be directed towards fulfilling the Great Commission – spreading the Gospel and living out Christ's teachings – rather than engaging in speculative debates about end-time dates or precise sequences of events.
  • Humility in Knowledge: It encourages humility, acknowledging that there are divine mysteries beyond human comprehension, and that true wisdom lies in embracing what God has revealed and acting upon it.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 24:36

    But of that day and hour knoweth no [man], no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:1

    ¶ But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:2

    For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

  • Mark 13:32

    But of that day and [that] hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

  • Mark 10:40

    But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but [it shall be given to them] for whom it is prepared.

  • Deuteronomy 29:29

    The secret [things belong] unto the LORD our God: but those [things which are] revealed [belong] unto us and to our children for ever, that [we] may do all the words of this law.

  • Daniel 2:21

    And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:

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