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.