But
of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Watch, keep alert, and pray; for you don’t know when the time is.
Mark 13:32-33
Mark 13 [24.] But in those days, after that oppression, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light, the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. Then he will send out his angels, and will gather together his chosen ones from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the sky.
Mark 13 [28.] “Now from the fig tree, learn this parable. When the branch has now become tender, and produces its leaves, you know that the summer is near; even so you also, when you see these things coming to pass, know that it is near, at the doors. Most certainly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things happen. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Watch, keep alert, and pray; for you don’t know when the time is.
Mark 13 [34.] “It is like a man, traveling to another country, having left his house, and given authority to his servants, and to each one his work, and also commanded the doorkeeper to keep watch. Watch therefore, for you don’t know when the lord of the house is coming, whether at evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning; lest coming suddenly he might find you sleeping. What I tell you, I tell all: Watch.”
Meaning:
Jesus had just said that “this generation” would see the things he had foretold (Mark 13:30). Now he turns to “that day”, the day of his return, and says something surprising: no one knows when it will be, not the angels and not even the Son, but only the Father. The right response is not calculation but watchfulness and prayer. The PIB footnote points to Luke’s account of the same teaching (Luke 21:33-36).
- “But of that day or that hour no one knows”
In the prophets, “that day” often means the day of the Lord, when God comes to judge and to save. Jesus contrasts it with “these things” he has just described. The fall of Jerusalem would come within a generation and could be recognised by signs; his coming at the end would be sudden. Paul wrote, “For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night” (1 Thessalonians 5:2).
Many people over the centuries have tried to calculate the date of Christ’s return. Every prediction has failed. Jesus’ words should end all such guessing: if he did not set a date, no one else can.
- “Not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father”
The angels stand in God’s presence, yet this is hidden even from them. Most striking of all, Jesus says the Son does not know. He calls himself “the Son” in a unique relationship with “the Father”, placing himself above the angels, and yet he accepts a limit to his knowledge.
Christians have long explained this by the incarnation. The eternal Son, “existing in the form of God… emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:6-7). During his earthly life he lived in real dependence on his Father and did not use his divine knowledge for himself. After his resurrection he told the disciples, “It isn’t for you to know times or seasons which the Father has set within his own authority” (Acts 1:7).
- “Watch, keep alert, and pray”
Three commands follow. “Watch” means to look out, to pay attention. “Keep alert” means to stay awake, to resist the sleepiness that comes when nothing seems to happen. “Pray” keeps watchfulness from turning into anxiety, because it fixes the heart on God.
Within days the disciples would fail this test. In Gethsemane Jesus found them sleeping and said, “Watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Mark 14:38). Paul urged believers to pray “at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance” (Ephesians 6:18), and wrote, “Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving” (Colossians 4:2).
- “For you don’t know when the time is”
Not knowing the time is the very reason for being ready. Luke records the same lesson: “Therefore be watchful all the time, praying that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will happen, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:36). The delay is not neglect. As Peter explains, “The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but is patient with us, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
The Significance of Mark 13:32-33
- Trust instead of speculation
What God has hidden we do not need to know. Believers can leave the timing with the Father and focus on faithful living.
- Readiness every day
Because the day could come at any time, the Christian life is lived in constant readiness, at peace with God and active in his service.
- Prayer keeps us awake
Regular prayer guards the heart against spiritual drowsiness and keeps hope alive.
Cross-References:
1 Thessalonians 5:2: "For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night." The day comes unexpectedly.
Acts 1:7: "It isn’t for you to know times or seasons which the Father has set within his own authority." The timing belongs to the Father.
Luke 21:36: "Therefore be watchful all the time, praying that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will happen" Luke’s version, cited in the PIB footnote.
Philippians 2:7: "but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men." The Son’s humility in the incarnation.
Conclusion: Jesus declared that no one knows the day or hour of his return, not the angels, not even the Son during his earthly life, but only the Father. That truth rules out every attempt to set dates. Instead Jesus calls his people to watch, to stay alert and to pray, because the time is unknown. The uncertainty of the hour is not a reason for fear but a call to live each day ready to meet him.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible