13:32–37 Finally, in these verses, Jesus comes to the question concerning the time when the end will appear, but his answer is likely to be disappointing to anyone wishing to be able to calculate the end, as is the fashion of some ancient and modern so-called prophecy experts. In the preceding verses (vv. 28–31), Jesus has assured his disciples in the strongest terms that the prophecy of the fall of Jerusalem (which triggered the whole discussion) and the attendant distresses of verses 5–13 will be fulfilled within a generation (v. 30). Here, when speaking of the end, however, Jesus refuses to give a time (v. 32) and instead places emphasis upon constant watchfulness.

The striking reason given for not stating the time of the end is that Jesus does not know (v. 32), for this is a secret kn…