Did Jesus Know Everything?

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! – Philippians 2:6-8

The Gospels present us with a theological challenge. If Jesus is divine as well as human, did he know everything? If the Son of God emptied himself (Phil.2:7) to take on human flesh, did he give up his omniscience?

Jesus and the Samaritan Woman at the Well
Southwest German (?)
ca. 1420

At times the Gospels tell us that Jesus knew people’s thoughts (Matt.12:25, Luke 5:22, Luke 6:8), but we also see occasions when Jesus’ seems to have limited knowledge. As a child, He “increased in wisdom and stature” like any other human (Luke 2:52). This alone implies he acquired great wisdom in the Scriptures through study, not through divine osmosis. Throughout the Gospels Jesus tries to find privacy, but is unable to do so (Mark 7:24). Isn’t Jesus supposed to know everything before it happens?

When in the midst of a crowd a sick person touches His clothing, He expresses curiosity as to who she is (Luke 8:45). Jesus explicitly denies any knowledge of the time of the Last Day (Mark 13:32). This verse has always been especially difficult to understand. If Jesus was God, how could He be ignorant of the time of His second coming?

This is the mystery of the divine/human nature of Christ. In the Gospels, we see frequent evidences of His humanity (He grew weary, suffered pain), but also many evidences of deity (His virgin birth, His resurrection and ascension, as well as His perfect words and deeds). Still, shouldn’t Jesus of Nazareth have known all of the answers?

About Corey Sharpe

Where do we get our beliefs? Three theological perspectives have significantly shaped my Christian identity: Evangelicalism, the early Methodist tradition and liberation theology. From my coming to faith in a Baptist church and throughout my education in a Baptist school and college, I was nurtured by convictions that emphasized a spiritual rebirth, a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and the centrality of the Bible. Even when I disagree with certain aspects of evangelicalism, it has deeply influenced my sense of what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. My seminary studies spawned my interest in early Methodism, particularly its approach to spiritual formation. Its leaders were convinced that only a foundation of doctrine and discipline would lead to a meaningful transformation of the heart and mind. In other words, having the mind of Christ enables me to be more like Christ. Life in a suburban culture obscures the increasing gap between the poor and rich, as well as the Bible’s close identification with the poor. My doctoral work in socio-cultural context exposed me to liberation theology, which helps me see redemptive history as a history of oppressed groups, written from the perspective of the powerless, about a God who is actively involved with the poor in their struggles. I am now the pastor at Mount Zion United Methodist Church in St Mary’s County, Maryland. Together my wife and I have 4 children.

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