Matthew 24:36 — Addressing the Third Question

Context of the discourse on the Mount of Olives

After Jesus foretells the Temple’s destruction, the disciples ask three distinct questions in Matthew 24:3. This page maps Jesus’ answers and clarifies where Matthew 24:36 fits.

Q1When shall these things be? — Concerning the destruction of the Temple.
Q2What shall be the sign of your coming? — Concerning the Second Advent.
Q3And of the end of the age? — Concerning the final consummation.

Key claim

Claim: Matthew 24:36 (“But concerning that day and hour, no one knows…”) addresses Q3 — the end of the age and the passing of heaven and earth — rather than Q2 (the timed Second Advent).

Reason: The Tribulation/Jacob’s Trouble is a measured period, which makes the timing of Jesus’ return calculable once it begins; the truly unknown is the transition to the new creation.

Anchors: Matthew 24:35–36; Daniel 9:27; Revelation 11–13 (day counts); Revelation 20–21 (Millennium and new heaven/new earth).

Overlay: three questions and their answers

Question	Answer scope	Primary passages	Timing character
Q1 — Temple destruction	Fulfilled historically with Jerusalem and the Temple’s fall.	Matthew 24:2; Luke 21:20–24	Definite historical event
Q2 — Sign of His coming	Second Advent following a measured Tribulation with specific day counts.	Matthew 24:29–31; Daniel 9:27; Rev 11–13	Measured once the week begins
Q3 — End of the age	Consummation: passing of heaven and earth, transition to new creation.	Matthew 24:35–36; Revelation 20:7–15; 21:1	Unknown day/hour

Timeline sketch

70 AD

Destruction of the Temple — Fulfills Q1 historically.

Reference: Matthew 24:2; Luke 21.

Daniel’s 70th week

Measured Tribulation — 7 years with specific counts (e.g., 1,260 days, 42 months).

Reference: Daniel 9:27; Revelation 11–13.

Second Advent

Return of Christ — Arrival at the Mount of Olives at the end of the measured period.

Reference: Matthew 24:29–31.

Millennium

1,000‑year reign — Satan bound, Christ reigns.

Reference: Revelation 20:1–6.

After the Millennium

Final judgment and renewal — Heaven and earth pass; new heaven and earth appear.

Reference: Matthew 24:35–36; Revelation 20:7–15; 21:1.

Synthesis: The “unknown day/hour” in Matthew 24:36 aligns with the post‑Millennial transition (Q3), not the timed close of Daniel’s 70th week (Q2).

Textual notes on Matthew 24:35–36

Immediate context: Verse 35 declares the passing of heaven and earth; verse 36 immediately qualifies the timing as unknowable.
Discursive flow: Jesus pivots from signs of His coming (Q2) back to ultimate consummation (Q3), marking a shift in scope.
Pastoral aim: Emphasis on watchfulness and fidelity, not date‑setting, especially for the final transition beyond measured history.

Common objections and crisp answers

Objection: 24:36 describes the Second Advent

Answer: Once Daniel’s 70th week begins, Revelation’s day counts constrain the endpoint. The truly unknowable event comes after the Millennium (Q3).

Objection: “Day or hour” is generic watchfulness

Answer: Generic watchfulness is affirmed, but the verse’s placement after 24:35 (“heaven and earth shall pass away”) makes the referent specific to consummation.

Quick references

Matthew 24:2–3, 29–36 • Daniel 9:24–27 • Revelation 11–13, 20–21 • Luke 21:20–24