But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

MATTHEW 24:36KJV
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Matthew 24:36 (KJV)

What does Matthew 24:36 mean?

Matthew 24:36 says that no one knows the exact day or hour when a certain future event will happen—not people, not angels, but only God the Father. This verse emphasizes that the timing of this event is a secret known only to God.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to His disciples about the future, specifically about the coming of the "Son of Man" and the end of the age. The disciples had asked Jesus about when these things would happen, and here Jesus makes it clear that the precise timing is not revealed to anyone except the Father. This statement sets a boundary on human knowledge and expectation about the future.

The Greek behind Matthew 24:36

  • ἡμέρα (hēmera, "day") and ὥρα (hōra, "hour"): These words together stress not just the general time but the exact moment, pointing to complete uncertainty about the timing.
  • οὐδεὶς (oudeis, "no one") and οὐδὲ (oude, "not even"): The Greek construction is emphatic, ruling out every possible being—humans and angels alike—from having this knowledge.
  • εἰ μὴ (ei mē, "but only"): This phrase singles out the Father as the sole possessor of this knowledge, highlighting exclusivity.

Why Matthew 24:36 matters

  • Matthew 24:36 corrects any idea that people, even those closest to Jesus, can predict or calculate the exact time of the end or Jesus’ return.
  • The verse highlights the unique authority and knowledge of God the Father, distinguishing Him even from angels and the Son in this context.
  • This statement shapes the attitude of watchfulness and humility that Jesus encourages in the rest of the chapter, reminding readers not to focus on date-setting but on readiness.

Where else these words appear

“only” Greek G3441 · used in 46 verses

  • Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
  • Luke 24:12 Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.
  • 1 Corinthians 14:36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?

“but” Greek G1508 · used in 87 verses

  • Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
  • Luke 4:26 But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow.
  • Romans 14:14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

“hour” Greek G5610 · used in 100 verses

  • Matthew 8:13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.
  • Luke 7:21 And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight.
  • John 16:32 Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

“not” Greek G3761 · used in 125 verses

  • Matthew 5:15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
  • Luke 12:24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
  • Romans 11:21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.