Matthew 24:33 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates.

NIV: Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door.

NASB: so you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door.

CSB: In the same way, when you see all these things, recognize that he is near—at the door.

NLT: In the same way, when you see all these things, you can know his return is very near, right at the door.

KJV: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.

NKJV: So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!

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).

Matthew 24:32–35 begins with Jesus' instructions to learn from the example of a fig tree. When the leaves appear, people know summer is coming. In the same way, when mankind sees all these predicted signs, they should know Christ's return is near. The generation who sees those signs will not pass way until all the predicted signs have been completed. Nothing will change this since Jesus' words will not pass away even though heaven and earth may pass away.

Jesus makes a dire prediction about the destruction of the temple. Immediately after this, while seated on the Mount of Olives, Jesus responds to a question from the disciples. They ask when judgment will come and what signs will signal His return. Christ describes a season of unimaginable world turmoil and persecution. He points to a specific moment of defilement of the temple, at which point people should run for their lives. Jesus speaks of world-threatening tribulation which will be cut short right before He returns as King and Judge. Since nobody can possibly know when He will return, His followers must live in readiness.

Jesus has just left the temple area, after delivering a blistering criticism of the scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 23). After predicting that the temple would be destroyed, He answers their questions about the end times. He speaks of a period when He will be gone from earth and they will be persecuted and killed. The world will be in turmoil, but the gospel will be preached everywhere. Nobody knows exactly when Jesus' return will be completed, so his followers should constantly be prepared. Jesus continues to teach on these themes in the next chapter.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.