“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Matthew 24:36

 “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’” Mark 13: 32-37

When Jesus made this statement, his human side—which Philippians 2 speaks of Jesus emptying himself, divesting himself of all power—did not know when he was going to return.  In context, he was speaking of the judgment on Jerusalem and the temple in 70 AD, while hinting toward his bodily return at some future date.

Jesus did not have all knowledge while on earth.  He grew and matured like any human, learning from scriptures and from his mentors. He was not born the smartest kid in the world.   Jesus set aside his omniscience, omnipotence and omnipresence so he could fairly experience life as a human.

By saying that he did not know when he (the Son) would return means he did not know at that time in his human state. Jesus relied on the Holy Spirit and scripture for revelation just as we rely on the Holy Spirit and scripture to speak and reveal to us what we need to know.

Does Jesus know now when he will return in bodily form to judge the earth?  Yes.  He is with God the Father and the Holy Spirit.  They are one and share all knowledge.

Tactfully, it made sense. If Jesus knew, he would be hounded with questions about the end of the world. When Jesus received back all his Godly powers, that he emptied himself of in Philippians 2, he knew then and knows now when he will return.