Acts 1:7 – “He said to them: ‘It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.'”

Extended Explanation

In Acts 1:7, Jesus answers His disciples’ question about when He would restore the kingdom to Israel. Instead of giving them a direct answer, He tells them that God’s timing is not for them to know.

The disciples were expecting Jesus to set up a visible, earthly kingdom immediately. But Jesus tells them that God’s plans unfold on His schedule, not theirs. He emphasizes that the Father alone has the authority to determine the timing of His kingdom’s fulfillment.

This verse highlights a key truth: there are things God does not reveal to us. As humans, we often want to know when things will happen—whether it’s Jesus’ return, the resolution of a problem, or the fulfillment of a promise. But Jesus makes it clear that some things belong to God alone. Instead of worrying about the “when,” the disciples needed to focus on their mission.

Historical Context

At the time Jesus spoke these words, His disciples were still thinking in Jewish political terms. Many Jews expected the Messiah to bring back Israel’s national glory, overthrowing Roman rule. Even after Jesus’ resurrection, they were still expecting an earthly kingdom.

However, Jesus had been teaching that His kingdom was different (Luke 17:20-21). It was not about political power but spiritual transformation. The disciples’ question in Acts 1:6 reveals that they still did not fully grasp this.

Jesus’ response echoes Old Testament teachings about God’s control over history:

• Daniel 2:21 – “He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others.”
• Deuteronomy 29:29 – “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us.”

This verse is also important because it came right before Jesus’ ascension. The disciples were about to be sent into the world to spread the gospel, and Jesus wanted them to focus on their mission, not on predicting the future.

Theological Implications

1. God’s authority is absolute.
   • The Father alone has the right to determine the timing of events. Humans are not in control—God is.
2. Some things are not for us to know.
   • Jesus teaches that God does not reveal everything to us. We must learn to trust Him even when we don’t understand His timing.
3. Faith is about trust, not knowledge of the future.
   • The disciples wanted certainty about the future, but Jesus called them to trust God and obey Him in the present.
4. The focus should be on our mission, not prophecy speculation.
   • Many people get distracted by trying to figure out end-times prophecies instead of obeying Jesus’ command to make disciples. Jesus redirects our focus to what matters—spreading the gospel.

Literary Analysis

This verse is part of Jesus’ final conversation with His disciples before He ascends into heaven.

The phrase “It is not for you to know” is strong. Jesus corrects their thinking, telling them that some knowledge belongs only to God.

The words “times or dates” (Greek: chronos and kairos) refer to both general periods of time and specific moments in history. Jesus is saying that whether it’s a broad era or a specific event, God’s timing is His business, not ours.

The phrase “set by his own authority” reinforces that God alone determines the course of history. Humans may speculate, but only God knows the full picture.

Biblical Cross-References

• Matthew 24:36 – “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
• Ecclesiastes 3:1 – “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”
• Mark 13:32-33 – Jesus warns that no one knows when the end will come, so we must be watchful.
• Acts 1:8 – Instead of focusing on the timing, Jesus tells the disciples to be His witnesses.
• Revelation 1:3 – God reveals what is necessary but keeps certain details hidden.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

This verse is a reminder that we are not in control—God is. Many people today spend time speculating about when Jesus will return or when certain prophecies will be fulfilled. But Jesus teaches us to trust God’s timing and focus on the mission He has given us.

This also applies to our personal lives. Many Christians struggle with questions like:

• “When will God answer my prayer?”
• “When will I see the results of my faithfulness?”
• “When will Jesus return and fix this broken world?”

Jesus’ answer is clear: “It is not for you to know.” Instead of worrying about the timing, we are called to live faithfully, obeying God, and sharing the gospel.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

This verse shows God’s love in three ways:

1. God is in control. We don’t have to worry about the future because God has it in His hands.
2. God knows what is best for us. If He withholds knowledge from us, it is for our good.
3. God calls us to trust Him. A loving parent doesn’t always explain everything to a child—sometimes, they ask for trust. In the same way, God asks us to trust His timing.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Jesus is central to this verse because He is the one redirecting His disciples’ focus. Instead of letting them get distracted by questions about timing, He prepares them for their mission.

Other passages that reinforce Jesus’ role:

• Matthew 28:18-20 – Jesus commands His disciples to go and make disciples, not to speculate about dates.
• John 14:1-3 – Jesus promises to return, but He does not say when.
• Luke 24:45-49 – Jesus tells His disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit instead of worrying about the timing of events.

This verse teaches us to focus on what Jesus has called us to do rather than worrying about when He will do what only He can do.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Why do you think the disciples were so focused on knowing when God’s kingdom would be restored?
2. How does this verse challenge the way we think about God’s timing in our own lives?
3. What are some ways we get distracted from our mission by focusing too much on trying to predict the future?
4. How can we develop greater trust in God’s timing, even when we don’t understand it?
5. How does this verse encourage us to focus on spreading the gospel instead of waiting for prophecy to unfold?