What does Mark 13:32 mean?

Explanation

The verse from the Gospel of Mark, chapter 13, verse 32, addresses the subject of eschatology, which is the study of end times or last things.

This passage is part of what is known as the Olivet Discourse, where Jesus teaches about the signs of the end times and the coming of the Son of Man.

The key statement in this verse is that the precise time of this event is unknowable to all but God the Father.

In stating that "no man," "not the angels which are in heaven," and "neither the Son" have knowledge of the exact time, the verse emphasizes the unpredictability and the necessity of vigilance in awaiting the end times.

The verse also presents an interesting Christological perspective by suggesting that even Jesus, the Son, does not know the hour, suggesting a distinction between the knowledge of Jesus as the Son and God the Father.

Historical Context

Mark 13:32 is set in the context of first-century Judaism.

The early Christian belief in the imminent return of Christ, the parousia, dominated a lot of the teaching and expectation of the time.

Jesus' statement regarding the timing of the end times can be understood against the backdrop of apocalyptic expectation that was prevalent among certain Jewish groups of that era.

The Gospel of Mark is generally believed to have been written for a Roman audience during a time of persecution, around 70 A.D., shortly after the destruction of the Jerusalem temple.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this verse has been the subject of much discussion, particularly regarding the nature and personhood of Jesus Christ.

• Classical Trinitarianism: Within orthodox Christian theology, which professes belief in the Trinity, this verse has often been invoked to describe the “economic” Trinity, which refers to different roles within the Godhead.

Some theologians argue that Jesus, in his incarnate state, voluntarily limited his knowledge or divine attributes as part of his kenosis (self-emptying) as described in Philippians 2:7.

• Non-Trinitarian Perspectives: Groups that do not adhere to Trinitarian theology might use this verse to argue against the equality of Jesus with God, claiming it demonstrates a clear distinction in their knowledge and authority.

• Open Theism: Some proponents of open theism may use this verse to support the idea that God is open to new experiences and does not exhaustively know the future.

Practical Applications

The verse inspires believers to live in a state of readiness and constant vigilance.

It suggests that no one should be so bold as to claim they know when the end will come, and so it encourages an attitude of humility. In practical terms, people can apply this teaching by:

• Living with urgency: Since the exact hour is unknown, individuals are encouraged to live as if Jesus could return at any moment.
• Avoiding date-setting: Many have falsely predicted the end times, leading to disillusionment.

This verse cautions against such practices.

• Emphasizing faith over knowledge: Recognizing the limits of human understanding can be a call to trust more fully in God's plan.

Cross-References

• Matthew 24:36 - "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only."
• Acts 1:7 - "And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power."
• 1 Thessalonians 5:2 - "For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night."

Language Study

• Knoweth (Greek: οἶδεν – oiden): This term refers to understanding or perceiving, often with a connotation of absolute knowledge.

The usage highlights that the knowledge of the time is completely beyond any but the Father.

• No man (Greek: οὐδεὶς – oudeis): Literally means "no one"; it is all-encompassing and allows for no exceptions among human beings.
• Neither the Son (Greek: οὐδὲ ὁ υἱὸς – oude ho huios): This phrase has sparked significant Christological debate.

The term "son" refers to Jesus himself, acknowledging a limitation in his earthly role or state.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparatively, in other ancient mythologies and religions, deities often possess complete and exhaustive knowledge of all things, including the future.

The idea that a deity, or a divine figure, would not have certain knowledge is relatively unique to Christian theology.

This concept stands apart from the omniscience ascribed to deities in religions such as Greco-Roman pantheism, where gods like Zeus were thought to have unfettered knowledge.

In Judaism, there are apocalyptic texts like the Book of Daniel which deal with end times but do not discuss the limits of angelic or divine knowledge specifically.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the verse does not directly interact with scientific principles or theories as it is concerned with theological and metaphysical realities beyond empirical measurement.

However, discussions about the limitations of human knowledge, especially regarding future events, coincide with the scientific understanding that many aspects of the universe are inherently unpredictable due to quantum uncertainties and chaotic systems.

Commentaries

Scholarly commentaries on Mark 13:32 tend to delve into the theological implications of Jesus' stated ignorance of the time of the end.

Historically, figures like Augustine grappled with this verse, often interpreting Jesus' statement as pertaining to his human nature rather than his divine nature.

Contemporary scholars like R.T.

France emphasize that the verse serves to prioritize watchfulness over speculation.

Others, such as William Lane Craig, engage with the verse in the context of discussions on the incarnation and the kenotic theory, which suggests that Jesus limited some divine attributes in becoming human.

Overall, the consensus among many commentators is that the main thrust of Jesus' message is to encourage readiness and reliance on God's sovereignty over the future.