02/01/2026

 

Samuel Clifford

 

““But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.” Matthew‬ ‭24‬:‭36‬ ‭NASB

“But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” Matthew‬ ‭24‬:‭36‬ ‭KJV‬‬

This verse often confuses people and it's understandable why. Christians theologically hold that God is omniscient. So, from a trinitarian perspective, if Jesus is considered to be God, then how can He not know the day or the hour?

 

What Does Jesus Not Know?

In order to understand we need to first know what Jesus is talking about. In Matthew 24, Jesus spoke about the Tribulation (Matthew 24:3–14), the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:15–28), and the Second Coming (Matthew 24:29–31) [more specifically this is about the Revelation, the second part of the Second Coming and is distinct from the Rapture].

 

Jesus then gives His statement about not knowing the day or the hour in verse 36 and then proceeds to describe how the earth will be during His return. So, from the context we know Jesus is talking about the Second Coming.

 

How can Jesus not know if He is God?

 

The answer to this question has to deal with Jesus becoming man. Jesus has always existed since the beginning (Romans 6:23). When Jesus was incarnated, He took on a true human nature while also still being fully God. In doing so, Jesus emptied Himself and gave up many divine privileges (Philippians 2:6–8). So, when Jesus stated He didn’t know the hour or the day, He was showing His human nature. Jesus now, however, being resurrected, does know the day and the hour.

 

“who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭6‬-‭8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

 

“who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭6‬-‭8‬ ‭NASB‬‬