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Matthew 24:36 (NLT)
Mark 13:32 (NLT)

 36 “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.

Now hold on a minute here...God the Father and God the Son are the same God, yet the Father knows something the Son doesn't? What's going on here?

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Somewhat related to How could Jesus be surprised. – Paul A. Clayton Apr 30 at 22:46

3 Answers

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There are two theories in regards to this:

  1. Jesus is not part of God.

    See also:
    Is there Biblical basis for unitarianism?

  2. Jesus and God are joined in the Trinity, but separate in thought and will.

    See also:
    Biblical basis for the doctrine of the Trinity
    Would it have been possible for Jesus to sin?

Take your pick.

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Actually there is at least a third option... – Caleb♦ Sep 16 '11 at 18:53
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@Caleb anything you care to share? – Marc Gravell♦ Jan 22 '12 at 10:42
@Caleb: Could you elaborate on the third option? I would assume it has something to do with Jesus voluntarily separating himself from the rest of the Godhead when he chose to enter into the world in the Incarnation. However, I see that as a subset of option 2. What are we missing? – Jon Ericson Jan 7 at 7:30
up vote 6 down vote

The theological term here is kenosis

From Phillipians 2:6-7

though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself ...

In short, Jesus gave up the perks of being God in order to identify with humanity.

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He gave up some perks. After all, he performed miracles, didn't he? – hammar Jan 22 '12 at 7:56
God granted other humans the ability to perform miracles. – Affable Geek Jan 22 '12 at 13:25
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But you know what? You got me thinking... Here's what I wrote:christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/5572/… – Affable Geek Jan 22 '12 at 20:07
up vote 4 down vote

I hate to answer your question with a question, but since this is a mystery, I don't think you can logically consign yourself to one of Richards options. Not that those ideas aren't logical, they just don't quite fit, or satisfy me as a Catholic.

The commentary in the NABRE is not very useful, it just says not to doubt the veracity of the verse.

But here's the question that I'll pose as an answer, what did Jesus hold back from His disciples? Nothing at all. It would seem as though it was God the Father's will for His Son to reveal everything that we need for salvation.

Do we need to know the day or the hour? No

Do we need to be ever vigilant? Yes

So, the more important thing is not that the Son does not know what the Father knows, it is that the Disciples (and us) know what the Son knows.

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