Mark 13 32

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.

Mark 13:32 nkjv

"But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

Mark 13:32 niv

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

Mark 13:32 esv

"But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

Mark 13:32 nlt

"However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.

Mark 13 verses

Mark 13 32 Meaning

Mark 13:32 declares that the exact timing of the Lord's return and the consummation of all things is known only by God the Father. This unique knowledge is withheld even from the Son of God during His earthly ministry, and from the heavenly angels. It serves to underscore the Father's supreme authority and sovereignty over all time and events, urging vigilance and faithfulness rather than speculative knowledge or date-setting.

Mark 13 32 Context

Mark chapter 13, often referred to as the "Olivet Discourse," contains Jesus' eschatological teaching. It begins with His prophecy concerning the destruction of the Temple, prompted by a disciple's admiration of its grandeur (Mk 13:1-2). This leads the disciples to ask Him when these things will happen and what signs will precede His coming and the end of the age (Mk 13:3-4). Jesus then describes a series of future events, including false Christs, wars, famines, earthquakes, and the persecution of believers (Mk 13:5-23), followed by cosmic disturbances and the coming of the Son of Man in power and glory (Mk 13:24-27). He gives the parable of the fig tree as a sign of the nearing end (Mk 13:28-31). Amidst these specific details and signs, Mark 13:32 serves as a stark warning against attempting to pinpoint the precise day or hour, transitioning to a call for constant readiness (Mk 13:33-37). The historical context is a time when many Jewish people longed for the Messiah's appearance and an eschatological age, yet specific timings were subjects of much speculation and fervent hope.

Mark 13 32 Word analysis

• But (δὲ, de): A strong adversative conjunction, indicating a significant contrast or shift in subject. Here, it contrasts the detailed signs discussed previously with the absolute unknownness of the specific timing.
• concerning (περὶ, peri): Preposition indicating "about" or "with reference to." It frames the scope of the unknown information.
• that day (τῆς ἡμέρας ἐκείνης, tēs hēmeras ekeinēs): Refers to the "Day of the Lord," a frequent Old Testament theme (e.g., Amos 5:18-20, Joel 2:1-2, Mal 4:5). It signifies the decisive culmination of God's redemptive and judgmental purposes at the end of the age, particularly the Parousia or second coming of Christ.
• or that hour (ἢ τῆς ὥρας, ē tēs hōras): Further specification, emphasizing that not even the smallest unit of time regarding this event is known. "Hour" can denote a crucial or decisive moment.
• no one knows (οὐδεὶς οἶδεν, oudeis oiden): Absolute negation. Oudeis means "not one," "no one at all." Oiden is from oida, "to know by experience or full comprehension." This underlines the complete absence of such specific knowledge.
• not even (οὐδὲ, oude): Intensifies the negation. "Not even this category knows."
• the angels (οἱ ἄγγελοι, hoi aggeloi): Heavenly beings who dwell in God's presence and execute His will. Their inclusion signifies that even those closest to God in the created order, who possess profound knowledge and insight, are not privy to this particular secret.
• in heaven (ἐν οὐρανῷ, en ouranō): Emphasizes their proximity to the divine presence and supreme knowledge, further highlighting the Father's unique prerogative.
• nor (οὐδὲ, oude): Again, intensifies the negation, including yet another, most significant, category.
• the Son (ὁ Υἱὸς, ho Huios): This refers to Jesus Himself. This is a profound and crucial Christological statement. It indicates that in His incarnate, earthly state, He voluntarily limits or does not possess this specific knowledge for His mission's purpose. It relates to the concept of kenosis (self-emptying) described in Phil 2:7, where Christ set aside certain divine prerogatives (not deity itself) to become fully human and dependent on the Father during His earthly life. It's not a deficiency in His divine nature, but an aspect of His humble submission as the Son on earth.
• but only (εἰ μὴ μόνος, ei mē monos): A strong exclusionary phrase, emphasizing uniqueness and exclusivity.
• the Father (ὁ Πατὴρ, ho Patēr): God the Father. This identifies Him as the sole possessor of this specific, ultimate knowledge. It affirms His unique, ultimate sovereignty within the Godhead over the final unfolding of history.

Words-Group by Words-Group Analysis:

• "But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows": This phrase sets an absolute boundary to human and even angelic knowledge regarding the precise timing of Christ's return and the end. It immediately dispels any possibility of human calculation or prophecy concerning the exact date.
• "not even the angels in heaven": This powerfully emphasizes the deeply guarded nature of this knowledge. Angels, being God's immediate attendants and possessing superhuman intellect, are excluded, proving it's beyond all created intelligence.
• "nor the Son": This is arguably the most striking part, as it declares Jesus, the Son of God, also does not know the exact timing. Theologically, this is understood not as a lack of divinity but as a demonstration of His true humanity and humble submission in His incarnate state. In His mission as the sent One, He limits His exercise of omniscient knowledge, receiving His revelation and commission from the Father (Jn 8:28, Jn 5:19). Some interpret this as the Son "not knowing" in His capacity as the One revealing God's truth to humanity, i.e., this knowledge was not part of the truth He was sent to convey.
• "but only the Father": This final clause asserts the absolute sovereignty and ultimate authority of God the Father over all aspects of His divine plan, particularly the culmination of history. It highlights His unique position within the Trinity concerning this specific prerogative, reinforcing the incomprehensibility of God's ways.

Mark 13 32 Bonus section

The ancient church father, Hilary of Poitiers (c. 310–367 AD), emphasized that Christ's "ignorance" here referred to His human nature, specifically in His capacity to declare things to mankind. It wasn't that He truly didn't know in His divine nature, but that He was "ignorant in the sense that He willed not to impart it." This perspective highlights the pedagogical intent of Jesus' statement, aligning with the idea that certain divine knowledge is kept from humanity to cultivate trust and vigilance. This also counters early heresies that might have used this verse to deny the Son's full deity, affirming instead the mystery of the God-Man. This verse underscores the divine-human nature of Christ and the mysterious sovereignty of the Father.

Mark 13 32 Commentary

Mark 13:32 is a pivotal verse in eschatological discourse and Christology. Within the Olivet Discourse, where Jesus extensively outlines signs and events preceding His return, this verse serves as a critical counterpoint, shifting focus from predictive detail to ethical imperative. It prevents believers from becoming overly focused on calculating dates, thereby safeguarding against speculation, disappointment, or idleness. Instead, it fosters a posture of continual watchfulness and readiness (as the subsequent verses underscore).

The declaration "nor the Son" has been a point of profound theological contemplation. It does not imply that Jesus, in His divine nature, is less than omniscient, for as God He is infinite in knowledge. Rather, it is understood within the context of His incarnation. As the God-Man, Jesus truly became human, experiencing limitations inherent in human existence, including a growth in wisdom (Lk 2:52). His "not knowing" this specific timing reflects a voluntary self-limitation (kenosis) while on earth, fully obedient to the Father's plan and mission. In His incarnate state, His knowledge functioned within the boundaries chosen for His earthly ministry, emphasizing His complete dependence on and submission to the Father in all things related to His saving work. This upholds both His full deity and His perfect humanity, necessary for His atoning work.

Ultimately, the verse draws a boundary line: the precise hour belongs to God alone. This truth reinforces God's unique authority and serves as a timeless call for vigilance, faithfulness, and living as if Christ could return at any moment, fulfilling His commands and serving His purposes rather than becoming entangled in end-time chronology debates.