No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on your guard and stay alert! For you do not know when the appointed time will come.

When Jesus spoke of that day and hour—referring specifically to the fall of Jerusalem—it’s clear that He wanted His listeners to understand just how hidden this moment truly was (Mark 13:32). No one—no scholar, no eyewitness, not even those who later recorded the events—could say with certainty when that crisis would unfold. Even the angels, who know many of God’s heavenly mysteries and often carry out His commands, did not have knowledge of that particular day (Matthew 24:36).

The words go further, reminding us that even the Son, in His humanity, did not announce the precise time. Christ, as the eternal Son of God, holds all knowledge, but in the days when He walked among us as a man, He set aside certain divine privileges—including foretelling this exact moment of judgment (Philippians 2:6–7). What He knew in His divine nature, He wasn’t commissioned to reveal as the Son of Man on earth. The Father alone held the times and seasons in perfect wisdom and authority (Acts 1:7).

This uncertainty wasn’t meant to trouble God’s people, but to help them. Not knowing the precise hour, Jesus tells us, is meant to keep believers awake, alert, and prayerful—ready to stand firm against the deception of false teachers and not be caught off guard when God’s plans unfold (Mark 13:33). It was so with the early disciples, who received warnings that stirred them to watchfulness. They knew judgment was coming, but didn’t presume to know the schedule or details, and so trusted God day by day.

Let this truth encourage your heart. God may not reveal every detail of what’s ahead, but He always shares what we need to stay prepared and present with Him. In seasons of uncertainty, we can live faithfully and hopefully, watching and praying—not in fear, but in trust, knowing our times rest securely in the Father’s hands (Psalm 31:15).

Verses Referenced:

• Psalm 31:15
• Mark 13:32
• Matthew 24:36
• Philippians 2:6–7
• Acts 1:7
• Mark 13:33

This is a part of our 365 Ranked Bible Verses – A Verse for Every Day of the Year!

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