I need to wrap up this series of posts concerning the verse most taken out of context in the entire bible. That verse is Matthew 24:36 where Jesus said this about His second coming, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, but My Father only.“ The context, of course, is Jesus’s Olivet discourse where He is prepping the disciples and us about everything to watch for ahead of time so that we are ready and able to determine when His coming is near. So, this verse, at first glance, seems to contradict everything Jesus was saying. While I could provide many more examples like the four previous posts taken from this discourse attesting to the fact that it was only in that day (2000 years ago) no one knew, let’s take a deeper look at the word knows (Greek- eido). Eido is a primary verb used only in certain past tenses (Strongs Dictionary). It means, simply, has seen, has perceived, or has understood. Even though Jesus was relating all He knew at that time, no one, not even He in His humanity, understood the timing. At that time-2000 years ago- there was no New Testament- no gospels, no Pauline epistles, and no book of Revelation to help them out. The Holy Spirit had yet to be poured out on the church who will “tell us of things to come.”(John 16:13).
Looking at other places in the context of the Olivet discourse where iedo is used will help to bring clarity. Jesus used that verb 5 times during this teaching. One of these was His quote from Daniel; “Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation….” (Matthew 24:15). The word “see” used here is iedo. So, when you see it (the AOD), you will know the timing. Another very enlightening use of this verb in context is Mathew 24:33, “So you also when you see all these things, know that it is near-at the doors.” Again, the word “see” used here is iedo. What Jesus is clearly stating here is that when you see (iedo) all these things I’ve been teaching you about then KNOW that My coming is at hand. There’s no question Jesus was giving this detailed teaching so that we would be ready and able to determine the time of His coming.
Matthew 24:36 is not a verse to be pulled out of context and quoted as proof that those who study end-times and are watching as biblical signs are being fulfilled are simple chasing their tails because they can’t know anyway. This is just the opposite of what Jesus was teaching us. Jesus commanded us to watch so that we are ready. In fact, later in Revelation, He told the church at Sardis, “…. Therefore, if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.” (Revelation 3:3). I think we’d better watch, study, and prepare to the best of our ability. Again, don’t let anyone deter you from watching, preparing, and, yes, even attempting to determine the hour of His coming, by quoting to you a verse taken completely out of context.
Maranatha, Jim