Mark 13:32

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Mark 13:32 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But of that day or that hour knoweth no one, not even the angels in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But of that day or that hour knoweth no one, not even the angels in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
Mark 13:32 — American Standard Version

Context — Mark 13

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
32But of that day or that hour knoweth no one, not even the angels in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But of that day, and of that hour, etc..] Of Jerusalem's destruction; for of nothing else had Christ been speaking; and, it is plain, the words are anaphorical, and relate to what goes before: knoweth no man; nay, they that lived to see it, and have spoken of it, are not agreed about the particular day, when it was; much less did they know it beforehand, or could speak of it, and make it known to others: no, not the angels which are in heaven; who are acquainted with many of the divine secrets, and have been employed in the imparting them to others, and in the executing divine purposes: neither the Son; Christ, as the son of man; though he did know it as the Son of God, who knows all things,…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Neither the Son - This text has always presented serious difficulties. It has been asked, If Jesus had a divine nature, how could he say that he knew not the day and hour of a future event? In reply, it has been said that the passage was missing, according to Ambrose, in some Greek manuscripts; but it is now found in all, and there can be little doubt that the passage is genuine. Others have said that the verb rendered “knoweth” means sometimes to “make” known or to reveal, and that the passage means, “that day and hour none makes known, neither the angels, nor the Son, but the Father.” It is true that the word has sometimes that meaning, as in 1 Corinthians 2:2, but then it is natural to…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Of that day - The day of judgment is often in the Scriptures emphatically called that day. Neither the Son - Not as man: as man he was no more omniscient than omnipresent. But as God he knows all the circumstances of it. Mark 13:33”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“13:32-37 Just as 13:28-31 seems to pick up the theme of 13:5-23 in speaking of the destruction of Jerusalem, 13:32-37 apparently picks up the theme of 13:24-27 and speaks of the coming of the Son of Man. An introductory warning against speculations concerning the end time (13:32) is followed by a warning to be on guard because one cannot know the time of the end (13:33). A story illustrates the need to be ready for the Lord’s return (13:34), and its application repeats the need to watch lest they be found unprepared (13:35-36); the concluding warning is also for watchfulness (13:37). 13:32 The statement no one knows the day or hour (cp. Acts 1:7) introduces the warning to be watchful (Mark…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“of: Mar 13:26, Mar 13:27; Mat 24:36-42, Mat 25:6, Mat 25:13, Mat 25:19; Act 1:7; Th1 5:2; Pe2 3:10; Rev 3:3 neither: Rev 1:1 Mark 13:33”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification