no one knows the day or the hour

N

no one knows the day or the hour (proverb, biblical allusion)
/ˈnoʊ wʌn noʊz ðə deɪ ɔːr ði ˈaʊər/

Meanings

1. The exact timing of an important or life-changing event is unknown and cannot be predicted.
2. Life is uncertain; unexpected events such as death, disaster, or change can happen anytime.
3. (Biblical) The Second Coming of Christ will occur at a time known only to God.

Example Sentences

1. The coach reminded the team that no one knows the day or the hour, so they should always stay ready for opportunity.
2. After the accident, he realized that no one knows the day or the hour, and began to value his time more.
3. The pastor preached that no one knows the day or the hour when Christ will return, so people should live in faith. (biblical)

Origin and History

The phrase “no one knows the day or the hour” traces its roots directly to the New Testament of the Christian Bible, specifically in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 24, verse 36. In this passage, attributed to Jesus during his discourse on the signs of the end times, the statement emphasizes the unpredictability of a significant eschatological event, often interpreted as the Second Coming.

The original text, composed in Koine Greek around the first century AD, conveys a sense of divine mystery, underscoring that knowledge of precise timing resides solely with God the Father, beyond the awareness of humanity, angels, or even the divine Son in his incarnate form. This scriptural foundation has positioned the phrase as a cornerstone in theological discussions about providence, humility, and preparedness.

Etymological Foundations

Etymologically, the phrase emerges from the Greek wording in Matthew 24:36, where terms like “hēmera” (day) and “hōra” (hour) denote not only temporal units but also broader concepts of appointed moments or crises. Translated into English, it reflects the challenges of rendering ancient idiomatic expressions into modern vernacular, where “knows” implies comprehensive foresight.

The expression’s structure parallels Semitic linguistic patterns, suggesting influences from Aramaic or Hebrew substrates in the oral traditions underlying the Gospel narratives. Over centuries, its phrasing has evolved slightly in translations, but the core idea of unknowability remains intact, adapting to linguistic shifts while preserving its theological weight.

Theories and Interpretations

Several theories elucidate the phrase’s deeper meanings and cultural resonances.

One prominent interpretation views it as a reference to the unpredictability of divine judgment, urging vigilance without speculative date-setting.

Another theory posits it as an allusion to Jewish festival traditions, particularly the Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah), where the exact commencement depends on the sighting of the new moon, rendering the precise day and hour uncertain until confirmed by witnesses. This idiomatic usage aligns with first-century Jewish practices, implying that the phrase may encode a messianic fulfillment tied to sacred calendars.

Additional beliefs frame it within broader eschatological frameworks, such as pre-tribulation expectations in Christian theology, where it cautions against presuming human insight into apocalyptic timelines. These interpretations collectively highlight the phrase’s role in fostering spiritual readiness amid ambiguity.

Historical Context and Development

Historically, the phrase entered Western consciousness through early Christian writings and liturgical uses, gaining prominence in patristic exegesis by the fourth century, where church fathers like Gregory the Great and John of Damascus invoked it to discuss divine sovereignty. Its dissemination accelerated with the spread of vernacular Bibles during the Reformation, transforming it from a scholarly reference into a widely accessible proverb. In theological debates, it has served to counter millenarian predictions, reinforcing themes of patience and faith. By the modern era, the expression permeates popular discourse on uncertainty, extending beyond religious contexts to symbolize life’s unforeseen events, while retaining its scriptural essence.

Geographical Origins

The phrase first appeared in the region of ancient Judea, corresponding to modern-day Israel and Palestine, where the events and teachings recorded in the Gospel of Matthew unfolded in the first century AD. This Levantine setting provided the cultural and linguistic milieu for its inception, rooted in Jewish apocalyptic traditions amid Roman occupation. As an English idiom, it later manifested in England through the efforts of early translators, but its conceptual origin remains firmly tied to the historical and spiritual landscape of Judea.

Earliest Printed Record

The earliest printed record of the phrase in English occurs in William Tyndale’s New Testament, published in 1526. In this groundbreaking translation, Matthew 24:36 reads:

“But of that daye and houre knoweth no man, no not the angels of heaven: but my father only.”

Tyndale, an English scholar and reformer, rendered the verse from the original Greek, making it accessible to lay readers for the first time in print. This edition, produced in Worms, Germany, due to persecution in England, marked a pivotal moment in biblical dissemination, with the phrase appearing verbatim in this form to convey the biblical warning against presuming knowledge of divine timings.

Synonyms

1. the future is uncertain
2. only time will tell
3. the timing is unknown
4. unpredictable moment
5. beyond human knowledge

Variants

• no man knows the day or the hour
• only God knows the time
• the day and hour are unknown
• the appointed time is hidden

Biblical, Proverbs, Time