Did Jesus know His return date? I. Introduction to the Scriptural Question The question arises from passages such as Mark 13:32, which reads, “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” At first glance, this verse seems to suggest that Jesus might not know the precise time of His return. Yet other verses affirm His divine nature and omniscience (e.g., John 2:24–25; John 21:17). This entry explores the scriptural, theological, historical, and interpretive dimensions to provide a comprehensive response. II. Key Biblical Passages 1. 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.” This is the most direct statement raising the question of Jesus’ knowledge regarding His return. 2. Matthew 24:36: “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” The parallel passage reaffirms Mark’s statement. 3. John 21:17: Peter says to Jesus, “Lord, You know all things.” This declaration supports Jesus’ omniscience, showing Peter’s recognition of Jesus’ divine nature. 4. John 2:24–25: Jesus “knew all men” and “He did not need any testimony about man, for He knew what was in a man,” indicating full knowledge of human hearts and thoughts. 5. Colossians 2:9: “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity dwells bodily.” This underscores that Jesus possesses the entirety of divine attributes, including omniscience, in His divine nature. III. Scriptural Consistency and Context Scripture remains consistent when we account for Jesus’ dual nature: fully God and fully man. In Christian theology, Jesus’ human experience does not negate His divinity. Passages describing Jesus’ apparent limitations in knowledge are interpreted in light of His incarnational role (Philippians 2:6–7). Within His human role, Jesus may voluntarily refrain from exercising certain divine prerogatives (including certain expressions of omniscience). The united testimony of the gospel accounts in Greek manuscripts such as the Codex Sinaiticus (4th century) and Codex Vaticanus (4th century), among many others, shows no contradiction in the text regarding this issue. Early manuscript evidence, corroborated by scholars like Dr. James White and Dr. Dan Wallace, confirms the reliability of Mark 13:32 and Matthew 24:36, while also supporting other passages that speak to Jesus’ divine nature. These consistent manuscripts form a basis for defending the integrity of Scripture’s teachings on both His knowledge and His humble submission while on earth. IV. The Divine and Human Natures of Christ 1. Voluntary Humility (Kenosis) Philippians 2:6–7 describes Jesus “who, 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.” This passage suggests that while remaining fully God, Jesus took on a true human nature with genuine human limitations. The “emptying” is understood by many theologians as a metaphor indicating voluntary restraint of divine privileges, not a loss of divine attributes. 2. Submission to the Father John 5:19 states, “Truly, truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing by Himself unless He sees the Father doing it.” Jesus displays perfect obedience, focusing on the Father’s will. As part of this obedience, knowledge of the specific timing of His Second Coming may have been a dimension He did not disclose during His earthly ministry. V. Interpretive Approaches Through Church History 1. Early Church Fathers Church Fathers like Athanasius affirmed the full deity of Christ yet recognized that His human experience was genuine. They resolved the apparent tension by pointing to Christ’s distinct roles in His deity and humanity. 2. Medieval and Reformation-Era Views Scholars such as Aquinas proposed that Jesus had all knowledge in His divine nature but chose not to manifest certain knowledge in His human intellect at particular junctures. During the Reformation, theologians reaffirmed that the Bible’s statements about the Incarnation do not undermine Christ’s deity but rather emphasize His humility. 3. Modern Scholarship Many present-day theologians hold that the statement “nor the Son” belongs to Christ’s self-limitation during His earthly mission. Manuscript research by modern scholars continues to confirm that this reading is authentically part of the earliest Gospel texts, leaving no room for theories that these words were later interpolations. VI. Diving Deeper: Theological Synthesis 1. Jesus’ Omniscience Scriptural evidence resoundingly affirms that Christ is God incarnate (John 1:1, 14). He demonstrates the divine attribute of omniscience when so choosing (John 21:17). 2. Kenotic Framework Instances where Jesus appears to not know certain specifics—such as the day and hour of His return—highlight the limitations He took upon Himself in real human flesh. In this sense, He “subjected” Himself, not ceasing to be God but choosing not to act upon certain divine prerogatives in His earthly ministry. 3. Implications for Believers Believers are reminded to be ever watchful for the Lord’s return, as the exact timing remains in the Father’s domain (Matthew 24:42, 25:13). The result is a posture of readiness, faithful stewardship, and trust in God’s perfect wisdom. VII. Archaeological and Historical Corroboration Although the question at hand is largely theological, certain archaeological and textual findings reinforce the reliability of the Gospel accounts that contain these teachings: • Discovery of Early Gospel Fragments: Papyrus fragments of the Gospels, such as P45 (3rd century) and P75 (late 2nd or early 3rd century), confirm the continuity and integrity of Jesus’ words regarding end times teaching. • Synagogue Inscriptions & Church Mosaic Evidence: In regions of Israel and beyond, early Christian and Jewish inscriptions alluding to the Messiah’s Day of the Lord show that both communities recognized the significance of an awaited event, though the Church affirmed Jesus as the Messiah who will return. • Historical Non-Biblical Records: Writings from the apostolic fathers (1st–2nd centuries) and church fathers (2nd–4th centuries), such as Ignatius, Polycarp, and Irenaeus, further demonstrate that the early Christian community held to Jesus’ divinity and fully trusted the Gospels’ preserved teachings. VIII. Practical Reflections 1. Encouragement for Faith Because these passages stand on solid manuscript evidence, believers can be confident in the authenticity of Jesus’ words. This undergirds the Christian walk with assurance that the same Jesus who knew all things also experienced true human limitation to redeem humanity (Hebrews 2:14–15). 2. Watchfulness and Mission The emphasis on not knowing the day or hour rests on a call to remain diligent and to spread the good news. This motivation has spurred countless believers across history—such as those chronicled by 19th-century missionary records—to share the gospel around the globe, living each day as though Christ could return at any moment. IX. Conclusion In summation, Scripture, upheld by significant manuscript evidence and historical corroboration, presents Jesus as fully God, omniscient in His divine nature. Yet He willingly accepted the limitations of humanity for the sake of obedience and redemption. When passages like Mark 13:32 and Matthew 24:36 speak of Jesus apparently not knowing the day or hour, they illustrate His humble submission during His earthly ministry, not a denial of His divinity. From the earliest centuries, Christian tradition has carefully balanced Jesus’ genuine humanity with His eternal deity. Far from undermining the reliability of the Gospels, these passages confirm the profound mystery of the Incarnation. Therefore, the answer affirms that in His divine nature, Jesus is God who knows all things. In His role on earth, He did not disclose the timing of His return, emphasizing the believer’s need for watchfulness, trust, and faithful service until He indeed appears again—at the appointed time known fully by the Father. |
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