Jesus exemplifies humility by acknowledging that he does not know everything. On three occasions, he demonstrates this humility and recognition of his limitations. For instance, Jesus states that he does not know about the time of the end of the world (Mark 13:32); only God knows. Additionally, when a man addresses him as "Good Teacher," Jesus replies, "Why do you call me good? No one is good except for God alone" (Mark 10:18). He also shares a parable called The Seed Growing Secretly, emphasizing that the work of God is beyond human control (Mark 4:26-29). This suggests that there are things that only God can manage, while there are other things within human capability. Overall, the Gospel of Mark showcases the essential qualities of Jesus's humanity.
Classical philosophers also recognize human limitations. Socrates believes that knowledge is inherently limited. Confucius states, "If you know something, you know it. But if you don't know something, you don't know it" (Analects 2:13). Laozi further adds, "Knowing not to know is the best. Pretending to know when you do not is the worst disease" (Dao De Jing 71). He even warns against biases with the phrase, "Taste without taste." This emphasizes the importance of an open mind approach.
The mindset of acknowledging "I don't know" is fundamental to our identity and crucial for living a healthy life. Knowledge is not static; it evolves continuously over time. Einstein notes: "Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the entire world" (quoted in p. 96 of Maggie Jackson's book, *Uncertain*).