If Jesus is all-knowing, why does He say He doesn’t know the hour of His return (Mark 13:32)?

The Context of Mark 13:32

In Mark 13:32, the statement reads: “But about that day or hour no one knows—not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” This verse occurs within a larger discourse in which Jesus describes signs of the end times and exhorts His disciples to be vigilant. The passage prompts the question: How can Jesus, who is divine and thus omniscient, claim not to know the precise hour of His own return?

Biblical Framework of Christ’s Omniscience

Throughout Scripture, Jesus’ deity and divine attributes are affirmed. John 1:1 testifies: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Additionally, John 10:30 contrasts any notion of Jesus being separate in essence, as He states, “I and the Father are one.” These verses, among others, show that Jesus shares fully in the eternal nature of God.

Yet Mark 13:32 introduces a tension with the broader teaching of Jesus’ omniscience. Many reconcile this by looking closely at the nature of the Incarnation. Since Scripture must be harmonized in its entirety, the verse in Mark is not contradictory but highlights a specific dynamic that Jesus willingly embraced when entering humanity.

The Doctrine of the Incarnation and Voluntary Limitation

Philippians 2:6–7 provides insight into how Jesus could remain fully God while also living within the constraints of humanity:

“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, being made in human likeness.”

In this “emptying,” Christ did not cease to be divine. Rather, He took on a real human nature, including genuine human experiences like hunger (Mark 11:12), fatigue (John 4:6), and even growth in wisdom (Luke 2:52). This self-limitation extended to certain aspects of divine knowledge. Thus, in Mark 13:32, Jesus is consistently presenting Himself in His role as the submissive Son, emphasizing dependence on the Father during His earthly ministry.

Submission Within the Godhead

Scripture also reveals a functional hierarchy within the Trinity, not in essence or divine status, but in role. Statements like John 5:19—“Truly, truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing by Himself unless He sees the Father doing it”—illustrate that the Son’s earthly mission displayed perfect obedience to the Father. When Jesus says only the Father knows the hour, He points to this divine order in the outworking of redemption.

In the context of Mark 13, the emphasis is on watchfulness and trust in the Father’s timing. Jesus, as the incarnate Son, modeled humble reliance on the Father, thereby demonstrating what His followers should do: remain vigilant without presuming to know every detail of God’s plan.

Consistency and Manuscript Evidence

From the earliest manuscripts of Mark, the text of Mark 13:32 remains consistent. Key manuscript witnesses, including important codices such as Sinaiticus and Vaticanus, preserve this wording without omission or alteration. This supports the authenticity of the passage, underscoring that the statement was integral to Mark’s Gospel from its inception.

Such uniformity also aligns with broader New Testament witness that Jesus is fully God and fully human. The robust manuscript history affirms the text, preventing any assumption that Mark 13:32 was later inserted to foster confusion about Christ’s deity.

Historical Interpretations and Harmonization

Over centuries, theologians have offered varied nuances, yet the prevailing thread aims to protect both truths: the Son’s equality with the Father in deity and the Son’s voluntary acceptance of limited human knowledge in His earthly ministry. Early believers understood Mark 13:32 as an expression of Jesus’ humble role rather than a negation of His divine nature.

Additionally, no other New Testament writer contradicts Mark’s portrayal. Instead, the Gospels collectively show Jesus possessing divine knowledge (e.g., John 2:24–25), while also illustrating His genuine humanity. This balanced perspective was recognized by early church figures who defended Christ’s dual nature of full deity and full humanity.

Theological Purpose of the Statement

Mark 13:32 carries practical implications. One central teaching in that chapter is readiness and faithful service. Jesus’ statement underscores that ultimate authority for the timing of end events belongs to the Father. It invites believers to trust God instead of seeking speculative dates.

Jesus’ example teaches humility: if even the incarnate Son deferred knowledge of the final day to the Father’s will, His followers should likewise refrain from overconfidence or presumption regarding God’s timetable.

Further Scriptural Support

• Acts 1:7 — “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority.” This parallel statement shows the Father’s sovereign prerogative.

• Matthew 24:42 — “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come.” Jesus’ own teaching links unawareness of the exact timing with the need for vigilance and faith.

Conclusion and Practical Takeaways

Mark 13:32 does not diminish Jesus’ deity but highlights the incarnate Son’s submission, illustrating how He willingly took on genuine human limitations without abandoning His divine nature. The statement directs believers to live in anticipation, trusting the Father’s perfect schedule.

Understanding this truth harmonizes the seemingly paradoxical claim that Jesus is both fully God (and thus omniscient) and fully human (subjecting Himself to the Father’s will and the constraints of His earthly mission). It is a reminder of the depth of the Incarnation—Christ’s humble entry into history to bring salvation—and a call to watchful faith in the Father’s perfect plan.