What does Matthew 24:33 mean?

This chapter began with Jesus saying that the temple would be destroyed with not one stone left standing on another (Matthew 24:1–2). The disciples then asked Jesus two questions: "when will these things be?" and "what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" (Matthew 24:3).

Jesus has been answering that question looking into the then-far future, describing a moment when some terrible event would defile the temple followed by great suffering in Jerusalem (Matthew 24:15–22). Later He described what His actual return to earth would be like (Matthew 24:23–32).

Now Jesus says that when "all these things" happen, His followers should see it the same way as budding leaves on a fig tree pointing to the arrival of summer. They will know He is near, that He has arrived at the gates and will soon come into view.

In the exact context of this verse, there are different views on what Jesus means by "all these things." Jesus has already stated that His return will be perfectly obvious and not hidden to anyone (Matthew 24:23–27). It's fair to say that if His return is part of "all these things," it would be like saying "when I return, then I will return." More likely, the events He says are indicators of His immediate return are the spectacular events of the end times (Matthew 24:29–30).

The rapid onset of Christ's second coming, in the face of these signs, means He could return at any moment. It does not mean that He must return at any specific moment, which can be predicted in advance. In fact, that moment is unknowable (Matthew 24:36).