Mark 13:32

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} of {G4012} that {G1565} day {G2250} and {G2532} that hour {G5610} knoweth {G1492} no man {G3762}, no, not {G3761} the angels {G32} which {G3588} are in {G1722} heaven {G3772}, neither {G3761} the Son {G5207}, but {G1508} the Father {G3962}.

Complete Jewish Bible

However, when that day and hour will come, no one knows -- not the angels in heaven, not the Son, just the Father.

Berean Standard Bible

No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

American Standard Version

But of that day or that hour knoweth no one, not even the angels in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 13:32, a pivotal verse within Jesus' Olivet Discourse, profoundly declares that the precise timing of the eschatological "day and hour" remains an exclusive secret held by God the Father alone. This statement, asserting that neither humanity, nor angels, nor even the Son in His incarnate state possesses this knowledge, underscores the Father's supreme sovereignty over the timeline of redemptive history and serves as a powerful call for believers to live in constant, watchful readiness rather than engaging in speculative date-setting.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Mark 13:32 is nestled within the larger prophetic discourse known as the Olivet Discourse, delivered by Jesus on the Mount of Olives (Mark 13:1-37). This chapter addresses the disciples' questions regarding the destruction of the Temple and the signs of Jesus' coming and the end of the age. Having described various tribulations, false prophets, and cosmic disturbances that will precede His return (Mark 13:5-27), Jesus then provides the parable of the fig tree (Mark 13:28-31), which assures the disciples that the signs will indicate the nearness of His coming, just as budding leaves signal summer. However, Mark 13:32 immediately follows, serving as a crucial counterpoint to any attempt at precise calculation, shifting the focus from *when* to *how* one should live in light of the unknown timing. It directly precedes Jesus' urgent exhortations to "watch" and "be alert" ([Mark 13:33-37](/mark/13-33-37 "Mark 13:33-37 - The Call to Watchfulness")), making the unknowability of the time the very impetus for constant vigilance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus' disciples, like many Jews of their time, held strong expectations of a Messiah who would usher in a glorious, visible kingdom, overthrowing Roman oppression and restoring Israel's sovereignty. Their questions in [Mark 13:4](/mark/13-4 "Mark 13:4 - Disciples' Questions About the End") reflect this desire for a clear timeline and discernible signs. The destruction of the Temple, prophesied by Jesus in [Mark 13:2](/mark/13-2 "Mark 13:2 - Jesus Predicts the Temple's Destruction"), was an unthinkable catastrophe for first-century Jews, deeply intertwined with their national and religious identity, and often associated with the end times. Jesus' discourse, including this verse, reorients their eschatological understanding, emphasizing a period of tribulation and an ultimately unknown timing for the consummation of God's plan, challenging their preconceived notions of immediate, precise fulfillment. The setting on the Mount of Olives, overlooking the Temple, adds a dramatic backdrop to these weighty prophecies.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Mark and the broader New Testament. Firstly, it powerfully asserts **Divine Sovereignty**, particularly the Father's exclusive prerogative over the precise timing of the eschatological events. This highlights God's absolute control and wisdom, reinforcing that His plans unfold according to His perfect schedule, not human expectation or calculation. Secondly, the phrase "neither the Son" introduces the profound theme of **Incarnational Humility and Kenosis**. While fully divine, Jesus, in His earthly ministry, voluntarily limited the exercise of certain divine attributes, including omniscience regarding this specific timing, demonstrating profound obedience and identification with humanity. This concept is explored further in passages like [Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humility and Self-Emptying"). Thirdly, the unknowable timing inherently leads to the theme of **Call to Watchfulness and Readiness**. Since no one knows the day or hour, the appropriate response for believers is not idle speculation but faithful, vigilant living, as Jesus immediately commands in [Mark 13:33-37](/mark/13-33-37 "Mark 13:33-37 - The Call to Watchfulness"). This theme encourages steadfastness and active service until His return.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **knoweth (Greek, _eídō'_):** This verb, G1492, is a primary verb meaning "to see" (literally or figuratively). Crucially, in its perfect tense form as used here, it implies "to have seen and thus to know" or "to possess knowledge." It doesn't suggest an inability to perceive or understand, but rather a lack of possessed, revealed, or authorized knowledge concerning "that day and hour." The statement is about the *possession* of this specific piece of information.
* **day (Greek, _hēméra'_):** G2250 refers to a "day" as the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours. However, figuratively, as used here in an eschatological context, it denotes a significant, divinely appointed period or epoch, often referring to the "Day of the Lord" or the time of final judgment and consummation. It signifies a specific, climactic point in God's redemptive timeline.
* **Father (Greek, _patḗr'_):** G3962, a primary word for "father," here refers specifically to God the Father, the first person of the Trinity. His exclusive knowledge of "that day and hour" highlights His unique and ultimate authority, sovereignty, and preeminence within the Godhead, particularly concerning the unfolding of history and the culmination of His divine plan.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But of that day and that hour":** This phrase refers to the specific, precise timing of the events Jesus has been describing throughout the Olivet Discourse—namely, the destruction of the Temple, His second coming, and the end of the age. The repetition of "that" emphasizes the particularity and significance of this climactic moment.
* **"knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven":** This clause establishes a clear hierarchy of knowledge. First, it explicitly excludes all humanity ("no man") from possessing this information. Then, it extends this exclusion to even the highest created beings, the angels who dwell in God's immediate presence in heaven. This emphasizes the profound secrecy and the exclusive nature of this divine knowledge, placing it beyond the grasp of any created intelligence.
* **"neither the Son, but the Father":** This is the most profound and often debated part of the verse. It asserts that even Jesus, the Son of God, does not know this specific timing, but only the Father does. This statement is crucial for understanding Christology, pointing to Jesus' voluntary self-limitation (kenosis) during His earthly incarnation, where He operated within the bounds of His human nature and the Father's will, even in the exercise of His divine attributes. It does not diminish His divine nature but highlights the mysterious interplay between His divine and human natures. The final phrase, "but the Father," unequivocally affirms the Father's sole and ultimate authority over this divine secret.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 13:32 employs several powerful **Literary Devices** to convey its profound theological message. The most prominent is **Climax**, or an **Ascending Scale**, where the verse progressively narrows the scope of knowledge. It begins with "no man," then escalates to "no, not the angels which are in heaven," and finally culminates with the startling "neither the Son," before concluding with the singular exception: "but the Father." This escalating series of exclusions dramatically emphasizes the absolute exclusivity of the Father's knowledge. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Contrast** by juxtaposing the universal ignorance (of man, angels, and even the Son) with the Father's sole possession of this knowledge. This sharp contrast underscores the Father's unique sovereignty and authority. The repeated negative particles ("no," "not," "neither") also serve as a form of **Emphasis** or **Repetition**, reinforcing the absolute and undeniable lack of knowledge concerning the precise timing of these events for all but God the Father.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 13:32 is a cornerstone for understanding divine sovereignty, the nature of Christ, and the appropriate posture of believers awaiting the consummation of God's plan. It asserts that God the Father maintains ultimate control over the timeline of salvation history, a truth that should foster trust and submission rather than anxiety or speculation. The controversial phrase "neither the Son" is best understood within the framework of Christ's incarnation (the hypostatic union), where Jesus, fully God and fully man, voluntarily limited the exercise of His divine attributes, including omniscience, during His earthly ministry. This self-emptying (kenosis) demonstrates profound humility and obedience to the Father, not a deficiency in His divine nature. Thus, the verse simultaneously upholds the Father's supreme authority and the Son's perfect submission and human experience.

* [Acts 1:7](/acts/1-7 "Acts 1:7 - The Father's Authority Over Times")
* [Matthew 24:36](/matthew/24-36 "Matthew 24:36 - Parallel Account of Unknowable Day and Hour")
* [Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humility and Kenosis")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 13:32 stands as a timeless directive for believers, profoundly shaping our approach to eschatology and daily living. The explicit declaration that the "day and hour" are known only to the Father serves as a powerful deterrent against any form of date-setting or speculative prediction concerning Christ's return. Such endeavors are not only futile but directly contradict the Lord's own words, often leading to disillusionment, spiritual pride, or neglect of present responsibilities. Instead, the unknowable timing compels us to cultivate a posture of constant spiritual readiness and vigilance. Our focus shifts from *when* He will come to *how* we are living in the interim. This means actively pursuing holiness, faithfully stewarding our gifts and resources, diligently proclaiming the Gospel, and living with a sense of urgency and purpose, as if each day could be the one. It fosters a deep trust in God's perfect timing and sovereign plan, freeing us from the burden of knowing what is beyond our purview and empowering us to live faithfully in the present.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the unknowable timing of Christ's return shape our daily priorities and spiritual disciplines?**
* **In what ways does this verse challenge our human desire for certainty and control, especially concerning future events?**
* **How can we cultivate a spirit of watchful readiness without falling into fear, idleness, or speculative date-setting?**

### FAQ
**Does "neither the Son" mean Jesus isn't fully God or isn't omniscient?**

Answer: This is one of the most significant theological questions arising from Mark 13:32. The consensus among orthodox Christian theologians is that this verse does not diminish Jesus' full deity or His omniscience as God. Instead, it is understood in the context of the Incarnation and the hypostatic union—the doctrine that Jesus is one person with two natures, fully God and fully man. When Jesus became human, He voluntarily limited the exercise of certain divine attributes, including omniscience, as part of His self-emptying (kenosis), described in [Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Self-Emptying"). In His human nature, Jesus genuinely experienced human limitations, including a lack of knowledge regarding this specific timing. Alternatively, some interpretations suggest that while He possessed this knowledge in His divine nature, He chose not to reveal it or was not authorized by the Father to disclose it in His role as the incarnate Son on earth. Therefore, "neither the Son" speaks to Jesus' functional subordination and genuine humanity during His earthly ministry, not a deficiency in His divine nature or a denial of His full deity. He is still the one through whom "all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible" ([Colossians 1:16](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16 - Christ as Creator")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Mark 13:32 highlights the Father's exclusive knowledge of the precise "day and hour," it paradoxically deepens our understanding of Christ's central role in the fulfillment of all things. Though the timing remains a divine secret, the *certainty* of "that day" rests entirely upon the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the one who will return "with great power and glory" ([Mark 13:26](/mark/13-26 "Mark 13:26 - The Son of Man Coming in Glory")), the one who will gather His elect, judge the living and the dead, and establish His eternal kingdom. The Father's secret timing is not arbitrary but perfectly orchestrated to bring about the full redemptive plan centered on His Son. Jesus, in His first coming, perfectly fulfilled the Father's timing, being born "in the fulness of the time" ([Galatians 4:4](/galatians/4-4 "Galatians 4:4 - God Sent His Son in the Fullness of Time")). His second coming, though its hour is unknown, is equally certain and will perfectly execute the Father's will, culminating in Christ's ultimate victory over sin and death ([1 Corinthians 15:25-26](/1_corinthians/15-25-26 "1 Corinthians 15:25-26 - Christ's Reign Until All Enemies Are Under His Feet")). Thus, the Father's exclusive knowledge serves to underscore the absolute sovereignty behind the unfolding of a plan that is entirely Christ-centered, leading to the glorious revelation of His Son as King of kings and Lord of lords ([Revelation 19:16](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings and Lord of Lords")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.

Matthew 24:36

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

Matthew 24:42

Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

Matthew 25:13

Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Revelation 3:3

Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

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.