And if He didn’t know, is Jesus really God, as God is omniscience? Few verses spark more debate than 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.”
This statement from Jesus, echoed in Mark 13:32, is frequently cited by skeptics, Muslims, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and others as evidence against the traditional Christian claim of Jesus’ full divinity. If Jesus is God, they ask, how could He lack knowledge of the timing of His own return?
On the surface, the verse appears straightforward. Omniscience is a core attribute of God in Scripture (e.g., Psalm 147:5, Isaiah 46:10). If the Son admits ignorance of the “hour,” does that undermine claims like John 16:30 (“you know all things”) or Colossians 2:3 (in whom “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge”)? Critics argue this proves Jesus was a limited human prophet, not the eternal God incarnate.
The Jewish Wedding Context
Jesus lived in a culture where marriage customs carried deep symbolic weight. Here’s how the betrothal and wedding process typically unfolded in 1st-century Judea and Galilee:
- Betrothal: This was far more binding than modern engagement. A formal covenant was established, often with a bride price paid by the groom’s family. The couple was legally considered married, though they had not yet lived together or consummated the marriage.
- The Preparation Period: The groom would return to his father’s house to prepare a place for his bride, often adding a room or bridal chamber. This could take months. The bride, meanwhile, waited in anticipation, keeping her lamp ready and staying vigilant.
- The Father’s Authority: The groom did not unilaterally decide the exact day and hour of the wedding procession. That final approval rested with the father, who would inspect the preparations and declare when everything was ready. Only then would the groom be sent to fetch his bride, often arriving unexpectedly with a shout and trumpet blast, leading a joyful procession.
This custom provides rich background for several of Jesus’ teachings, including John 14:2-3 (“In my Father’s house are many rooms… I am going there to prepare a place for you”) and the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25), which emphasizes readiness for the bridegroom’s sudden arrival.
In this light, when Jesus says “nor the Son, but only the Father” in Matthew 24, He is invoking this familiar image: The timing of the Son’s return for His bride (the Church) is the Father’s prerogative, just as in a Jewish wedding. It’s not about ignorance, but about relational roles and authority within the Godhead. The Son submits to the Father’s will in this matter (compare Philippians 2:6-8).
Jesus is fully God and fully man. During His incarnation, He voluntarily limited the exercise of certain divine attributes (a concept called kenosis from Philippians 2:7). He genuinely experienced hunger, fatigue, and limited knowledge in His human nature, while His divine nature remained omniscient.
Why This Matters Today
Understanding Matthew 24:36 through cultural lenses like the Jewish wedding reminds us that the Bible is not a collection of abstract propositions dropped from heaven. It is rooted in history, spoken to real people in real contexts. Jesus used imagery His listeners would instantly recognize to point to a greater reality: He is the Bridegroom coming for a prepared people.
In an age of endless speculation about end times, the passage calls us away from calendar obsession toward readiness of heart. “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come” (Matthew 24:42).
Whether you find the wedding analogy persuasive or prefer other approaches, the verse ultimately invites awe at the mystery of the incarnation and hope in the promise of Christ’s return.
What do you think? Does the cultural context change how you read this verse? Share your thoughts in the comments.