Why does Mark 13:32 say Jesus doesn't know the day or hour of His return? Text of Mark 13:32 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Immediate Context: The Olivet Discourse Jesus has just outlined sweeping prophetic events—tribulation, cosmic signs, and His visible return in power (Mark 13:1-31). The warning of verse 32 functions pastorally: because the timing is unknown, disciples must stay alert (13:33-37). The statement is therefore embedded in a call to vigilance, not in a treatise on the inner life of the Trinity. The Apparent Difficulty Critics argue that if Jesus is truly God, omniscience is essential; confessing ignorance would contradict deity. Scripture, however, presents Christ as fully divine (John 1:1; Colossians 2:9) while also fully human (Hebrews 2:14-17). Mark 13:32 forces the reader to wrestle with how these two natures interact. Scriptural Witness to Christ’s Omniscience • John 2:24-25—He “knew all men.” • John 16:30—The disciples affirm, “You know all things.” • Revelation 2:23—The risen Christ “searches minds and hearts.” The same canon that records Mark 13:32 loudly proclaims Christ’s omniscience elsewhere, underscoring that the verse must be harmonized, not isolated. Two Natures, One Person: The Hypostatic Union Since Chalcedon AD 451, orthodox theology has confessed Christ “in two natures, without confusion, change, division, or separation.” His divine nature eternally possesses full omniscience; His human nature is finite. Scripture permits speaking of either nature when referring to the one Person (the “communication of properties”). Thus He can be said to be thirty years old (Luke 3:23) and yet eternally pre-existent (John 8:58). Mark 13:32 speaks from the vantage point of His genuine humanity. Kenosis: Voluntary Self-Limitation—not Loss—of Divine Prerogative Philippians 2:6-7 states that Christ, “existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant.” The Greek term ekenōsen (“emptied”) describes not a surrender of deity but a voluntary setting aside of independent use of divine attributes. He chose to “learn obedience” (Hebrews 5:8) and to grow in wisdom (Luke 2:52). Ignorance of the date is therefore a self-imposed restriction consistent with the incarnation. Economic Subordination within Trinitarian Work Ontologically, Father, Son, and Spirit share one essence; economically, each Person may assume differing roles. The Son routinely submits to the Father’s directive (John 5:19; 6:38). Mark 13:32 reflects that functional order: the Father determines the timetable; the Son, as the incarnate Messiah, accepts that arrangement for the redemption plan. Purpose of the Saying: Cultivating Watchfulness By withholding the date, Jesus ends speculative date-setting and anchors disciples in perpetual readiness. The practical thrust is ethical, not merely informational: “Be on guard; be alert” (Mark 13:33). Behavioral studies confirm that uncertain timing of a consequential event increases sustained vigilance—exactly the response Jesus seeks. Early Church Understanding • Irenaeus (Against Heresies 2.28.6) linked the ignorance to Christ’s humanity, not His deity. • Athanasius (On the Incarnation 17) argued the phrase demonstrates true incarnation rather than denying divinity. • Augustine (Sermon 97) distinguished what Christ knew as Head (divine nature) from what He conveyed to the Body (church). Philosophical Coherence A being with two distinct natures can manifest properties proper to each without contradiction. Just as Christ could be omnipresent in deity yet spatially located in humanity, He could simultaneously know all things as God while refraining from exercising or disclosing that knowledge as man. Modern analytic philosophy of mind recognizes such “dual-aspect” accounts as logically coherent. Practical Implications for Believers 1. Humility: If the incarnate Son embraced limits, believers should accept creaturely finitude. 2. Watchfulness: Uncertainty fuels readiness for ministry and holiness. 3. Trust: The Father’s exclusive knowledge assures the plan cannot be thwarted; history is not random but divinely scheduled. Common Objections Answered • “If Jesus didn’t know, He can’t be God.” Response: Omniscience pertains to divine nature. The incarnation involves voluntary non-use, not absence, of that attribute. • “Perhaps later scribes invented ‘nor the Son’ to curb fanaticism.” Response: All early manuscripts contain it; removing it would have been easier if the goal were smoothing theology. Preservation attests authenticity. • “Why would God hide information?” Response: To produce faith-filled obedience. Similar divine concealment appears in Deuteronomy 29:29: “The secret things belong to the LORD our God.” Conclusion Mark 13:32 reveals the mystery and wonder of the incarnation: the eternal Son, fully God, entered genuine humanity and willingly operated within its limits to accomplish redemption. Rather than undermining His deity, the verse magnifies His humility and serves God’s pastoral purpose of keeping the church alert for the triumphant return that, in the Father’s sovereign timing, will glorify Christ before the whole creation. |
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