Addressing Mark 13:32 and Matthew 24:36 requires a careful examination, especially when some seek to cast doubt on the authenticity of the Holy Scriptures. Let’s look into these verses with discernment, understanding that those who raise objections against Jesus’ divinity as Yahweh (God) often do so without considering the full context. This will be answered in a two part article. First, we will address a simple observation of the verse in question. Second, from a grammatical standpoint addressing the Greek language (an ancient view). Third, addressing the previous context of the passage. Fourth, a common answer most Christians give, that is fair, but not the strongest response.
Simple Observational Reading
When conducting proper Biblical Exegesis, it’s crucial to understand how each author intends their work to be interpreted within the context of their specific book in the Bible. Each writer’s style and focus vary, addressing distinct themes with unique emphases. While there is a consistent approach to interpreting the Bible broadly due to its divine inspiration (2 Timothy 3:16 & 2 Peter 1:21), refining one author’s message necessitates a detailed examination of their individual book. With that being said, let’s move forward.
Let’s look at one of the verses in question, because in parallel they are similar.
- “But (de) of that day and hour no one knows (eidō), not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but (ei mē) only the Father.” – Mark 13:32 (NKJV, Lexicon)
Observe the hierarchy outlined in the passage regarding who lacks knowledge initially, as it states, “no one knows.” Primarily, this pertains to humans, as angels are positioned above them. Humans are the pinnacle of God’s creation on Earth, while angels hold that position in heaven. It’s noteworthy that the text mentions the highest forms of creation within their respective realms first. This arrangement leaves the Son above creation, followed by the Father, as subsequently mentioned.
Grammatical Understanding
It’s essential to recognize that the core of the rebuttal lies in the interpretation of “know” οἶδεν (oiden), which in mark 13:32 and in Matthew 24:36, the word is used in the declarative knowledge form. It’s not based off ones intellect and I will give examples of this in the old and New Testament. Jesus Christ is declaring the day and the hour, not saying he doesn’t know the time.
- 32 “But (de) of that day and hour no one knows (οἶδεν – oiden), not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but (ei mē) the Father.” – Mark 13:32 (NKJV, Strongs)
- 36 “But (de) of that day and hour no one knows (οἶδεν – oiden), not even the angels of heaven, but (ei mē) My Father only.” – Matthew 24:36 (NKJV, Strongs)
Mark 13:32 or Matthew 24:36, “eidō” does not imply Jesus Christ’s ignorance of the hour. Instead, it asserts a clear and unequivocal statement. If someone were to argue that Jesus not knowing the day or hour shows that he is ignorant and doesn’t know. It would also imply Paul doesn’t know anything (in a literally sense), which doesn’t make sense. Instead, it’s employing declarative language. Paul is emphasizing a strong point.
New Testament
- 1 “And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know (οἶδεν – oiden – verb) anything among you except (εἰ μή “ei mē”) Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” – 1 Corinthians 2:1–2 (NKJV, Interlinear)
Old Testament
- “And He said, “Do not stretch out your hand against the boy, and do nothing to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only one, from Me.” – Genesis 22:12 (LSB)
In Hebrew the word for know here is yā·ḏa‘·tî, the root word being יָדַע (yada) In the Greek Septuagint (LXX), the word for know is translated to οἶδεν (oiden). It’s not that God learned something new, but rather that Abraham’s faithful actions demonstrated it to Him.
In Acts 1:6-7 Jesus says it differently when asked when asked when he will restore the kingdom and says it is not for those that came to him (and us) to know the time and the hour. Meaning he doesn’t exclude himself.
- “6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know (γινώσκω ginōskō verb) times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.” – Acts 1:6–7 (NKJV)
The word for know here is different and is used to say that it isn’t for his Apostles to know the time. The Apostles were trying to obtain this knowledge of when the restoring of the kingdom of Israel was to take place. Showing that Jesus actually has this knowledge, but chooses not to reveal it to them.
Other explanations are just as valid. The information below provides additional context that many people often overlook.
Previous Context
In the context of Matt. 24 and Mark 13, Jesus’ prophecies on the signs of the end times and the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem (which happened in 70 A.D). He warns his disciples about false messiahs, wars, and persecutions that will precede these events. Jesus emphasizes the need for vigilance and faithfulness in the face of trials, assuring his followers of divine protection. He also speaks of the coming of the Son of Man in glory, urging readiness for his return and the establishment of God’s kingdom. In Matthew 24:35 & Mark 13:31. Jesus Christ makes an eternal statement about his words comparing finite created things to his words. Only God’s word doesn’t pass away.
- “35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” – Matthew 24:35 (NKJV)
- “31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” – Mark 13:31 (NKJV)
This is the Cross Reference. Showing that just like in the Old Testament God is comparing finite creation to his word as being infinite and everlasting.
- 8 The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.” – Isaiah 40:8 (NKJV)
Jesus Christ, according to John 1:1-14, is identified as the eternal Word of God, echoing the concept expressed in Deuteronomy 8:3 and Isaiah 55:11, God’s divine essence doesn’t have an actual mouth. This shows the eternal nature of Jesus Christ, who remains unchanged throughout time, as emphasized in Hebrews 13:8. Consequently, Jesus’ declaration that his words will endure forever aligns with the eternal essence attributed to him in various texts. Peter actually quotes Isaiah 40:7-8 in his epistle
- “24 because ‘All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away, 25 But the word of the LORD endures forever.’ Now this is the WORD which by the gospel was preached to you.” -1 Peter 1:24–25 (NKJV)
The word is the one who brings the gospel (good news) and the word is the Gospel. Jesus Christ is the literally embodiment of the good news, because he is that word that is the good news.
- “1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made. 4 In Him was life, and life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:1-14 (NKJV)
- “19 And He said to them, “What things?” So they said to Him, “The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people,” – Luke 24:19 (NKJV)
- “13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.” – Revelations 19:13 (NKJV)
The same word creates life, is called Lord (Adonay) GOD (YHWH), and calls himself the LORD (YHWH).
- “1 After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.”2 But Abram said, “Lord GOD, what will You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 Then Abram said, “Look, You have given me no offspring; indeed one born in my house is my heir!”4 And behold, the word of the LORD came to him, saying, “This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir.” 5 Then He brought him outside and said, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.”6 And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness. 7 Then He said to him, “I am the LORD, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to inherit it.” – Genesis 15:1-7 (NKJV) (Deut. 29:1-6, Rebuttal)
- 26 Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying, 27 “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me? Jeremiah 32:26–27 (NKJV)
- “4 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying: 5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” – Jeremiah 1:4-5 (NKJV)
The word is distinct from the LORD at the same time.
- “1 In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to Zechariah the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying, 2…“8 Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying: 9 “The hands of Zerubbabel Have laid the foundation of this temple; His hands shall also finish it. Then you will know That the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you.” – Zechariah 1:1-2; 4:8-9
- “Now the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation. 2 And it came to pass at that time, while Eli was lying down in his place, and when his eyes had begun to grow so dim that he could not see, 3 and before the lamp of God went out in the tabernacle of the LORD where the ark of God was, and while Samuel was lying down, 4 that the LORD called Samuel. And he answered, “Here I am!” 5 So he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” And he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” And he went and lay down. 6 Then the LORD called yet again, “Samuel!” So Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” He answered, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” 7 (Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, nor was the word of the LORD yet revealed to him.)” – 1 Samuel 3:1-7 (NKJV)
Common Response
Necessary Explantion: This is often a simplified explanation, but as Trinitarians, we affirm that Jesus Christ, while on Earth, possessed both full divinity and full humanity—100% God and 100% human. This remains true even now, as he is fully God and seated in heaven, his resurrected body existing in an incorruptible, glorified state. When the Gospels depict Jesus eating, sleeping, weeping, praying, serving, or exhibiting traits of true humanity, Trinitarians accept these accounts as accurate, reflecting his genuine human nature (life/soul). However, it’s equally true that Christ possesses an infinite divine nature, coequal with the Father and the Holy Spirit, although he doesn’t identify as the other two persons. This is why Trinitarians assert the concept of one Being (first definition) or God in three persons. For a Trinitarian, the correct understanding of “persons” encompasses:
5 Philosophy. a self-conscious…
10 an individual of distinction or importance.
14 Theology. any of the three hypostases (Definition 2 & 3) or modes (we don’t use the term modes) of being in the Trinity, namely the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. From dictionary.com
That being acknowledged, some Christians may argue, “Jesus didn’t know the time and hour,” attributing it to his human nature’s limitations. While this might suffice as an initial understanding, with deeper insight, there’s no need to rely on this explanation repeatedly. Such reasoning was essential for comprehending other passages, like Luke 2:52 (further explanation in a future article), where Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, aligning with Trinitarian beliefs.
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