Mark 13:32

• No one knows about that day or hour: This statement introduces the warning to be watchful (compare Acts 1:7) and not to make guesses about the exact time of these events (Mark 13:33–37).

• Jesus calls himself the Son who ranks above the angels in an order that begins with no one and ends with only the Father. The authenticity of this saying is supported by the limitation it places on the Son’s knowledge. The early church would not likely have invented such a statement. In later apocryphal gospels (books outside the New Testament written around AD 150–300), writers usually increased and praised the divine attributes of Jesus (for example, the Infancy Gospel of Thomas).

  In the miracle of the incarnation, Jesus experienced limitation (Mark 10:40; 13:32). If the Son himself did not know the day or hour, Christians should refrain from seeking such knowledge for themselves.

Just as 13:28–31 returns to the theme of 13:5–23 by speaking about the destruction of Jerusalem, 13:32–37 appears to return to the theme of 13:24–27 by speaking about the coming of the Son of Man.

The section begins with a warning against trying to predict the end time (13:32). This is followed by a warning to stay alert because no one knows when the end will come (13:33).

Jesus then tells a parable (a short teaching story) to show the need to be ready for the Lord’s return (13:34). The application of the parable repeats the warning to stay watchful so that believers will not be found unprepared (13:35–36). The section ends with another call to remain watchful (13:37).

This passage brings to a conclusion the section begun at 11:1. Israel did not produce spiritual fruit (11:12–26; 12:38–40). Its leaders were opposed to God's chosen one, the Christ (11:1–11, 27–33; 12:13–17, 18–27). This would result in judgment and the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple.