But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
Read it in contextWatchful servants
Start reading at Matthew 24:36 (Matthew 24:36 to Matthew 24:51).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The discourse turns explicitly to readiness and faithful service. Its warning about an unknown day and hour must not become a date-setting formula.
24:36But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
24:37But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
24:38For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
24:39And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
24:40Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
24:41Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
24:42Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
24:43But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
24:44Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
24:45Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
24:46Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
24:47Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
24:48But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
24:49And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
24:50The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
24:51And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Matthew the apostle and tax collector is the author named by early church tradition. This is the historic attribution, not a personal signature in the Gospel. Biblical references: Matthew 9:9; Matthew 10:3. Historical source: Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3.1.1; Anchor Bible Dictionary, Matthew, Gospel of. traditionally held
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Matthew 24:1–25:46): Jesus teaches His disciples privately on the Mount of Olives in response to their questions about the temple's destruction and His coming. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? A Christian readership deeply familiar with Israel's Scriptures, commonly understood as substantially Jewish in background but also concerned with the Gentile mission. A particular congregation or city is not certain. Biblical references: Matthew 1:1; Matthew 5:17; Matthew 28:19. Historical source: Anchor Bible Dictionary, Matthew, Gospel of. book background
What
What is the topic of this reading unit? Watchful servants. Read Matthew 24:36 through Matthew 24:51 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? The discourse turns explicitly to readiness and faithful service. Its warning about an unknown day and hour must not become a date-setting formula. interpretation
When
When are the events or message set? The narrative moves from Jesus' ancestry and birth through His ministry, death, resurrection, and commission. The Gospel does not state a modern calendar date for its composition. book background
Where
What is the book’s geographic setting? The narrative includes Bethlehem, Egypt, Nazareth, Galilee, journeys, and Jerusalem. A discourse or parable can describe places other than where Jesus is speaking. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Watchful servants (Matthew 24:36 to Matthew 24:51).
Start reading at Matthew 24:36. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Jesus is the central figure. Matthew identifies Him as Emmanuel, explains His saving mission, and concludes with His authority and commission. Read each teaching with its original listeners and its place in the narrative. See Matthew 1:21, Matthew 1:23, Matthew 28:18, Matthew 28:19. interpretation
How should this book guide our response? Join hearing Jesus' words with doing them. Distinguish instructions to named disciples on a particular mission from a general application, and keep conditions and warnings alongside promises. interpretation
Cited: Matthew 24:36, Matthew 24:51, Matthew 1:21, Matthew 1:23, Matthew 28:18, Matthew 28:19
Who wrote it, and how we know
Matthew (Levi), the apostleFrom early tradition
What Scripture saysThe book does not name its author.
Early traditionEarly church testimony names Matthew the apostle, notably Papias in the early second century and Irenaeus later.
What is debatedThe name is not in the text. The titles were attached early but are not part of the original writing.
Other accounts of this event
The prediction concerning the temple and coming troubles
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Matthew 24
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
This Gospel presents Jesus in relation to Israel's Scriptures and follows His teaching, death, resurrection, and commission. It does not name a specific original recipient. Read individual sayings within their narrative and discourse settings. The Olivet discourse begins with the temple setting in 24:1–3 and continues through 25:46; this chapter is not the complete unit.
Connection to the wholeJesus answers the disciples with warnings against deception and with calls to endurance, placing hardships within a wider witness to the nations.
Connection to the wholeThe discourse turns explicitly to readiness and faithful service. Its warning about an unknown day and hour must not become a date-setting formula.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Matthew
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
This Gospel presents Jesus in relation to Israel's Scriptures and follows His teaching, death, resurrection, and commission. It does not name a specific original recipient. Read individual sayings within their narrative and discourse settings.
Connection to the wholeJesus announces the kingdom, calls disciples, and teaches the righteousness and obedience that characterize His hearers' response.