What does it mean that no one knows the day or the hour of Jesus' return (Matthew 24:36)?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Jesus teaches in Matthew 24:36 that no one knows the day or the hour of His return, not even the angels in heaven, but the Father alone. This means the timing of Christ’s return has been intentionally withheld from humanity, placing it fully under God’s sovereign authority (Matthew 24:36). Even Jesus, in His earthly mission, affirmed that this specific knowledge belongs only to the Father, underscoring both divine mystery and divine control.

Because the exact time is unknown, Jesus warned against speculation and emphasized that believers must not try to calculate or predict it (Matthew 24:42–44). Instead of giving a timeline, Jesus calls His followers to live in constant readiness, as His return will come unexpectedly like a thief in the night (1 Thessalonians 5:2). This uncertainty is purposeful and calls us to live faithful lives, always ready for His return, rather than living in spiritual complacency (Matthew 25:13). The unknown “day and hour” is not meant to create fear but to keep every generation prepared to meet Christ at any moment (Matthew 24:36–44).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• No one knowing the day or hour of Jesus' return is not found in the Old Testament.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Matthew 24:36 is part of a much larger context about future events. It begins in Matthew 24:1–3 where Jesus makes the shocking claim that the temple they are looking at will be completely destroyed. That is followed by the disciples asking, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:3). It is specifically that question which Jesus is answering.
• However, the disciples are conflating the temple’s destruction with the arrival of God’s kingdom and the end of the age. So, the rest of Matthew 24 is Jesus helping them see that there’s more involved with His return (Matthew 24:30–31) and their alertness (Matthew 24:42), which are His main teaching points.
• Within this content, Matthew 24:36 reads, “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.” Though they wrongly simplified the end-time events, they were asking when it would happen, and in this verse, Jesus was saying that in His humanity, even He couldn’t tell them because only the Father knew the actual date.
• He then continued by teaching them that rather than worrying on the timing, they were to be focused on being ready for it regardless of when it would happen. Specifically, He said that they were to remain alert and watchful (Matthew 24:42–43).
• He then provided two parables in Matthew 25 to illustrate what they were to do. The first, the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1–12), is a story about 10 virgins waiting for a wedding party, with only 5 prepared for a potentially long wait. Jesus’ point was, “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour” (Matthew 25:13).
• The second parable was about talents (money) in Matthew 25:14–30. In that story, the master left, but not before giving each of his servants money to invest. The master represented Jesus, who would be leaving. In the story, when the master returned, he found that not all of his servants had used the money wisely, with one burying it instead of investing it. His statement in Matthew 25:24–25 proves he didn’t really know the master, so he was thrown outside. Jesus was saying that when He returned, the false servant who didn’t obey Him would likewise be cast into “that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth,” a reference to Hell (Matthew 25:30b).
• After those parables, he closed with a story illustrating the judgment He will bring when he returns (Matthew 25:31–46). Matthew 24 and 25, then, were in answer to the disciples' question of “when” by refocusing them from worrying about the “when” to preparing for that day, regardless of when it would come.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

If you knew when Jesus was coming back, how would you live? Imagine if Jesus had said the exact day He would return. It is highly likely that no one would worry much about it until right before He came. Believers would not feel any pressure to tell unbelievers about their fate, and unbelievers would be unconcerned about repenting. However, Jesus wanted us to be getting ready for His return as if it could happen at any moment, since it really can.

What we do know for certain is that Jesus is coming and that He is coming in a way that is different from His first arrival. The first time He came, He arrived as the humble servant to die for sinful humanity. It was through His death that the door to salvation was opened. However, the next time the world sees Him, He will come as the warrior king. He will slay the wicked (Revelation 19:11–21) and establish His reign on earth (Revelation 20:1–6).

We are living between the time He came and when He will return. This is the time of salvation. Right now, you have been given the opportunity to repent of your sin and trust in Jesus.  But that window is not guaranteed to remain open tomorrow or even in the next moment. Jesus is coming; will we be found faithful when He does?

UNDERSTAND

• The exact timing of Jesus’ return is known only to the Father, and He has not revealed it to anyone else.
• Jesus teaches that the uncertainty of His return is intentional, directing attention toward faithful readiness.
• True disciples live lives ready in light of His return.

REFLECT

• How should not knowing when Jesus will return affect the way you live day to day?
• How does knowing that Jesus is coming back change how you share your faith?
• How does it encourage or challenge you that no one knows the day or hour of Jesus' return?

ENGAGE

• How do passages like Acts 1:7 and 1 Thessalonians 5:1–6 reinforce the teaching that the timing of Christ’s return is hidden?
• What errors arise when people try to predict the date of Jesus’ return despite His statements that it is unknown?
• How should the parables in Matthew 25 inform a believer’s understanding of living in light of Jesus' return?