Acts 1:7 kjv
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.
Acts 1:7 nkjv
And He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.
Acts 1:7 niv
He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.
Acts 1:7 esv
He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.
Acts 1:7 nlt
He replied, "The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know.
Acts 1 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Matt 24:36 | "But concerning that day and hour no one knows... but the Father only." | Direct parallel, God's exclusive knowledge. |
| Mark 13:32 | "But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows... except the Father." | Reaffirms divine prerogative. |
| 1 Thess 5:1-2 | "Now concerning the times and the seasons... day of the Lord will come like a thief..." | Paul on unknown timing of Christ's return. |
| 2 Pet 3:10 | "But the day of the Lord will come like a thief..." | Echoes unexpected nature of Day of Lord. |
| Deut 29:29 | "The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us..." | God's hidden counsel, human limits. |
| Isa 55:8-9 | "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. | God's transcendent wisdom and plans. |
| Rom 11:33-34 | "Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable..." | Acknowledging God's unfathomable wisdom. |
| Job 38:4 | "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding." | God's sovereign knowledge superior to man. |
| Acts 1:8 | "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses..." | Shifts focus from timing to mission. |
| Matt 28:19-20 | "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them..." | The Great Commission, mission focused. |
| Luke 24:46-49 | "...that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed... you are witnesses..." | Call to witness over speculating future. |
| John 21:20-22 | "...'Lord, what about this man?' Jesus said to him, 'What is that to you? Follow me!'" | Personal calling over curiosity about others. |
| Eccl 3:1 | "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:" | God orchestrates all times and seasons. |
| Dan 2:21 | "He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom..." | God's absolute control over history. |
| James 5:7-8 | "Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord." | Admonition to patience, not prediction. |
| 2 Pet 3:8-9 | "Do not overlook this one fact... that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years..." | God's different perspective on time. |
| John 5:19 | "...the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing." | Jesus' submission to the Father's will/plan. |
| 1 Cor 15:24 | "Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father..." | The Father as ultimate authority/recipient. |
| Luke 17:20-21 | "The kingdom of God is not coming with signs... For behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you." | Nature of the Kingdom (spiritual/present). |
| Rom 14:17 | "For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." | Nature of the Kingdom (spiritual). |
| Hab 2:3 | "For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie." | Prophecies have appointed times by God. |
| Rev 1:1 | "The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants..." | Revelation of future events is given by God's will. |
| Rev 11:15 | "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ..." | Ultimate fulfillment of the Kingdom. |
Acts 1 verses
Acts 1 7 Meaning
The verse Acts 1:7 presents Jesus Christ's response to His disciples' question regarding the restoration of the kingdom to Israel. He asserts that the exact timing, both the general periods ("times") and the specific opportune moments ("seasons"), of future events, especially those pertaining to God's ultimate plan and kingdom, are not for human knowledge. Instead, these details rest solely and exclusively within the sovereign authority of God the Father, determined by His divine decree alone. This statement redirects the disciples from speculative curiosity about the future to their immediate mission.
Acts 1 7 Context
Acts 1:7 immediately follows the disciples' direct question in Acts 1:6: "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" This reveals their lingering expectation of an immediate, earthly, political restoration of the Davidic kingdom to Israel. Jesus' response in Acts 1:7 directly addresses and corrects this specific query about timing. By establishing that the "times or seasons" are the Father's exclusive domain, Jesus gently steers them away from unproductive speculation. The verse also serves as a critical bridge to Acts 1:8, where Jesus provides their true mandate: to receive the Holy Spirit and be His witnesses globally. Historically, the Jewish people frequently held messianic expectations centered on an imminent political deliverance, and this verse helps clarify that the inauguration of God's kingdom would proceed on God's timetable and in God's way, which would primarily be through spiritual transformation and worldwide evangelization rather than an immediate political takeover.
Acts 1 7 Word analysis
- He said to them: This signifies Jesus directly addressing His chosen apostles, providing authoritative instruction regarding a crucial theological point.
- It is not for you: (οὐχ ὑμῶν ἐστιν - ouch hymōn estin). A strong negation indicating that this knowledge is absolutely not within their sphere, capacity, or privilege. It establishes a firm boundary for human curiosity regarding divine timetables.
- to know: (γνῶναι - gnōnai). To have precise, certain knowledge or understanding. It's not about speculation, but definitive ascertainment, which is denied to them in this specific area.
- times: (χρόνους - chronous). Refers to chronological periods or durations of time, emphasizing the quantitative aspect. God controls the general course of history.
- or seasons: (καιρούς - kairous). Denotes specific, opportune, or critical moments and divinely appointed turning points. This emphasizes the qualitative and specific timing of events. The combination covers all aspects of time.
- that the Father: Highlights that this exclusive knowledge and authority belong specifically to God the Father, the ultimate orchestrator of divine plans within the Trinity.
- has fixed: (ἔθετο - etheto). From the verb τίθημι (tithēmi), meaning "to place," "to set," or "to appoint." The aorist tense implies a completed action; God the Father has definitively and immutably determined these timings. They are set decrees.
- by His own authority: (ἐν τῇ ἰδίᾳ ἐξουσίᾳ - en tē idia exousia). This powerful phrase emphasizes God's inherent, independent, and sovereign power and right. This authority is not delegated or shared, making it God's exclusive prerogative to determine such matters.
Words-group analysis:
- It is not for you to know: This phrase acts as a definitive prohibition against the apostles' and, by extension, believers' futile attempts to ascertain precise dates or durations for God's sovereign actions. It is a redirect from human presumption to humble submission to God's revealed will.
- times or seasons: This comprehensive dual expression underlines God's total control over every aspect of temporal progression, encompassing both broad eras and specific, pivotal moments within His plan. It signifies that no temporal detail is outside of His sovereign decree.
- that the Father has fixed by His own authority: This highlights the absolute sovereignty of God the Father as the sole disposer of future events' timing. His decrees are immutable, uninfluenced, and rooted purely in His intrinsic, unchallenged power, which further emphasizes the futility of human speculation.
Acts 1 7 Bonus section
- The wisdom of Jesus' response lies in preventing His followers from being distracted or demoralized by attempts to predict future events, which could lead to disillusionment if expectations are unmet, or to idleness.
- This verse is a foundational text against all forms of eschatological date-setting and excessive speculation regarding the exact timing of Christ's return or other divine interventions. It prioritizes present faithfulness and obedience over future predictions.
- The disciples' question in Acts 1:6 and Jesus' answer reflect a perennial human tendency to desire certainty and control over the future, highlighting the necessity of trust in divine providence even when details are not revealed.
- The distinct Greek words chronous (quantitative time) and kairous (opportune time) demonstrate that God determines not just the duration but also the exact, significant moments for His purposes to unfold.
Acts 1 7 Commentary
Acts 1:7 is a pivotal theological statement from Jesus Christ, responding to His disciples' pre-ascension query about the restoration of the earthly kingdom. Instead of denying the kingdom's future, Jesus corrects their misplaced focus on timing. He firmly declares that the knowledge of specific "times or seasons" for the full unfolding of God's sovereign plan belongs exclusively to God the Father. This teaching serves several vital purposes: it guards against speculative date-setting, emphasizes the transcendence and ultimate sovereignty of God over human curiosity, and fundamentally shifts the disciples' attention from idle inquiry to urgent mission. By asserting the Father's sole "authority" in fixing these timings, Jesus establishes a crucial boundary, calling believers to trust God's unsearchable wisdom and to instead concentrate on the commanded work of being His witnesses (Acts 1:8). The immediate application is a reorientation from seeking hidden knowledge to fulfilling revealed purpose.