And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
ACTS 1:7KJVWhat does Acts 1:7 mean?
Acts 1:7 records Jesus telling his disciples that it is not for them to know the specific times or seasons that God the Father has set by his own authority. Jesus is making it clear that the timing of God’s plans is not something people are meant to figure out or control.
In this scene, Jesus is speaking to his closest followers after his resurrection, just before he ascends to heaven. The disciples had just asked if he was about to restore the kingdom to Israel, but Jesus redirects their focus away from predicting God’s timetable. Instead, he emphasizes that such knowledge belongs to God alone and is not theirs to manage or uncover.
The Greek behind Acts 1:7
- χρόνος (chronos, G5550): This word is translated as "times" and often refers to general periods or durations. Jesus uses it here to mean broad stretches of time, not just specific dates.
- καιρός (kairos, G2540): Translated as "seasons," this word points to specific, appointed moments or opportunities. The distinction shows that both the general flow and the key turning points of God’s plan are under God’s control.
- ἐξουσία (exousia, G1849): This word means "authority" or "power." The verse stresses that the Father has placed these matters within his own authority, highlighting God’s exclusive right to determine such things.
Why Acts 1:7 matters
- Acts 1:7 corrects the common expectation that followers of Jesus can predict or uncover God’s exact timetable for future events, especially regarding big changes like the restoration of Israel.
- The verse shifts the disciples’ attention from speculation about the future to trust in God’s authority and timing, setting the stage for the coming of the Holy Spirit in the next verses.
- This statement helps clarify that Jesus’ mission was not about immediate political or national restoration, but about something broader and under God’s direction.