Deity of Christ
Jesus didn't know the day or hour of his return, so he can't be God.
Short answer
Jesus is fully God and fully human. In becoming man, the Son willingly lived within real human limits, depending on the Father. Mark 13:32 reflects that real humanity. The same Jesus knew people's thoughts and hearts, and after his resurrection Peter told him, "Lord, you know all things."
In simple words: When Jesus became a person, he chose to live with human limits, like growing up and learning. He was still God the whole time.
Response
In Mark 13:32 Jesus says, "About that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."
The Christian claim is not that Jesus had only a divine nature, but that he had both a divine nature and a fully human nature. Luke tells us that the boy Jesus "grew in wisdom and stature" (Luke 2:52). Growing in wisdom is part of being human. Philippians 2:7 says that in becoming man the Son "made himself nothing," voluntarily limiting the use of his divine privileges during his earthly mission.
At the same time, the Gospels show Jesus knowing things only God could know: people's private thoughts (Mark 2:8), what was in every heart (John 2:24-25), and detailed future events. Peter later said to him, "Lord, you know all things" (John 21:17), and Paul says all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in him (Colossians 2:3).
Look again at the verse itself. Jesus lists, in rising order, humans, angels, the Son, and the Father. He places himself above the angels of heaven, next to the Father. That is a strange ranking for someone who is merely a man.
Key evidence
- Luke 2:52 shows Jesus growing in wisdom, part of his real humanity.
- Philippians 2:7 describes the Son voluntarily humbling himself in the incarnation.
- Jesus displayed supernatural knowledge of thoughts and hearts (Mark 2:8; John 2:24-25).
- In Mark 13:32 itself, Jesus ranks "the Son" above the angels.
Bible passages
- Mark 13:32 "Not even the angels… nor the Son."
- Luke 2:52 Jesus grew in wisdom.
- Philippians 2:6-7 He made himself nothing.
- John 2:24-25 He knew what was in each person.
- John 21:17 "Lord, you know all things."
- Colossians 2:2-3 All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Discussion questions
- What does it mean to say Jesus was fully God and fully human?
- Why would the Son choose to live with human limitations?
- What does the order in Mark 13:32 (angels, Son, Father) suggest?