Jesus taught: 'But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father' (Περὶ δὲ τῆς ἡμέρας ἐκείνης ἢ τῆς ὥρας οὐδεὶς οἶδεν, οὐδὲ οἱ ἄγγελοι ἐν οὐρανῷ οὐδὲ ὁ υἱός, εἰ μὴ ὁ πατήρ). This concerns Christ's return ('that day'). Jesus affirmed His ignorance of the timing—even 'the Son' doesn't know, 'but the Father' alone. This raises Christological questions: how can omniscient deity not know? Reformed theology explains through doctrine of two natures—in His divine nature, Christ knows all; in His human nature during incarnation, He voluntarily limited certain knowledge (Philippians 2:7). This self-limitation was part of genuine human experience. The practical point: since Christ didn't know timing, neither can we. Claims to calculate Christ's return violate this teaching. Christians must watchfully await without presuming to know what Christ Himself didn't know.
Historical Context
First-century Jewish apocalyptic expectation speculated about Messiah's coming and end-times signs (Daniel's prophecies, intertestamental literature). Early Christians eagerly anticipated Christ's return (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 2 Peter 3:3-13). Some calculated dates, prompting Paul's correction (2 Thessalonians 2:1-12). Jesus' statement that even He didn't know the day should end speculation. Church history records repeated failed predictions—Montanists (2nd century), various medieval movements, William Miller (1844), Harold Camping (2011), and countless others. Each violated Jesus' teaching. The phrase 'not the angels... neither the Son, but the Father' indicates hierarchical knowledge within Trinity—the Father alone determines eschatological timing. This doesn't compromise Christ's deity but reflects economic Trinity (roles/functions) and incarnational limitation.
Questions for Reflection
How does Jesus' acknowledgment of not knowing the day or hour challenge attempts to calculate or predict Christ's return?
What does Jesus' self-limitation in knowledge during incarnation teach about the genuineness of His human experience?
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Analysis & Commentary
Jesus taught: 'But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father' (Περὶ δὲ τῆς ἡμέρας ἐκείνης ἢ τῆς ὥρας οὐδεὶς οἶδεν, οὐδὲ οἱ ἄγγελοι ἐν οὐρανῷ οὐδὲ ὁ υἱός, εἰ μὴ ὁ πατήρ). This concerns Christ's return ('that day'). Jesus affirmed His ignorance of the timing—even 'the Son' doesn't know, 'but the Father' alone. This raises Christological questions: how can omniscient deity not know? Reformed theology explains through doctrine of two natures—in His divine nature, Christ knows all; in His human nature during incarnation, He voluntarily limited certain knowledge (Philippians 2:7). This self-limitation was part of genuine human experience. The practical point: since Christ didn't know timing, neither can we. Claims to calculate Christ's return violate this teaching. Christians must watchfully await without presuming to know what Christ Himself didn't know.