Understand the Parable of the Fig Tree
The parable of the fig tree is included in the three gospels which record the “Olivet Discourse”–nicknamed such because Jesus spoke these words while He was on the Mount of Olives. What does the parable of the fig tree mean?
First, let’s read it:
Matthew 24:32-35 (NKJV)
32 “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! 34 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
I hear often the idea that the fig tree represents Israel, and putting forth leaves refers to the establishment of the modern state of Israel in 1948. Where does it come from?
Jesus had an encounter with a fig tree shortly before the Olivet Discourse.
Mark 11:12-14, 20-24 (NKJV)
12 Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry. 13 And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 In response Jesus said to it, “Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.”
And His disciples heard it.20 Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. 21 And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.”
22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. 23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
Many believe the fig tree represented Israel at that time, due to the fact Israel had for the most part rejected Christ (Mt 23:37-39). Recently I read an article about this passage by David Brickner (Jews for Jesus), that I agree with. Jesus’ application for the disciples is about having faith in God and not doubting in our hearts when we pray for things. Though punishment was upon that generation (Mt 23:31-36) for their rejection of Christ, He did not reject Israel. Israel was not cursed, that she should be eternally unfruitful (Ro 11).
Perhaps people think of the parable of vineyard owner (Mt 21:33-44), how the kingdom of God would be taken from those who rejected Him and given to a nation bearing its fruits.
We should be careful about taking a meaning from one context and applying it to a completely different context.
Matthew 24:34 says, “this generation will by no means pass away.” Psalm 90 talks about the average length of a generation:
Psalm 90:10 (NKJV)
10 The days of our lives are seventy years;
And if by reason of strength they are eighty years,
Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow;
For it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
Based on the idea that the fig tree refers to Israel, and the generation seeing the fig tree put forth leaves won’t pass away, some prophesied Jesus would return within seventy years of the establishment of the modern state of Israel. Israel celebrated her 70th anniversary last Spring. Rather than abandon this thinking, some are now saying, “Well, it must be eighty years,” and teaching that Christ should return sometime between now and 2028. I do not believe that will happen either.
Another reason I reject the “fig tree is Israel” hypothesis is the Luke account talks about other trees as well!
Luke 21:29-33 (NKJV) (emphasis added)
29 Then He spoke to them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. 31 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
So, what is the context of the parable of the fig tree?
The parable talks about “these things” or “all these things” – plural. (Israel becoming a nation again is one thing.) What things?
The parable of the fig tree occurs straight after Jesus’ prophecy about the signs of the Tribulation, followed by His return. The most natural reading is that Jesus is saying (paraphrased), “When you see all the signs of the Tribulation, then you know My coming is imminent. The generation that sees all the signs will not pass away until all these things are completed.” This is reasonable, and Luke’s gospel gives it even more credence.
Luke 21:25-28 (NKJV) (emphasis added)
25 “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; 26 men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
“These things” in Luke 21:28 aren’t even in a parable–and they’re clearly about the events of the Tribulation.
The parable of the fig tree is included in the three gospels which record the “Olivet Discourse”–nicknamed such because Jesus spoke these words while He was on the Mount of Olives. What does the parable of the fig tree mean?
First, let’s read it:
Matthew 24:32-35 (NKJV)
32 “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! 34 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
I hear often the idea that the fig tree represents Israel, and putting forth leaves refers to the establishment of the modern state of Israel in 1948. Where does it come from?
Jesus had an encounter with a fig tree shortly before the Olivet Discourse.
Mark 11:12-14, 20-24 (NKJV)
12 Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry. 13 And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 In response Jesus said to it, “Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.”
And His disciples heard it.20 Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. 21 And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.”
22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. 23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
Many believe the fig tree represented Israel at that time, due to the fact Israel had for the most part rejected Christ (Mt 23:37-39). Recently I read an article about this passage by David Brickner (Jews for Jesus), that I agree with. Jesus’ application for the disciples is about having faith in God and not doubting in our hearts when we pray for things. Though punishment was upon that generation (Mt 23:31-36) for their rejection of Christ, He did not reject Israel. Israel was not cursed, that she should be eternally unfruitful (Ro 11).
Perhaps people think of the parable of vineyard owner (Mt 21:33-44), how the kingdom of God would be taken from those who rejected Him and given to a nation bearing its fruits.
We should be careful about taking a meaning from one context and applying it to a completely different context.
Matthew 24:34 says, “this generation will by no means pass away.” Psalm 90 talks about the average length of a generation:
Psalm 90:10 (NKJV)
10 The days of our lives are seventy years;
And if by reason of strength they are eighty years,
Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow;
For it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
Based on the idea that the fig tree refers to Israel, and the generation seeing the fig tree put forth leaves won’t pass away, some prophesied Jesus would return within seventy years of the establishment of the modern state of Israel. Israel celebrated her 70th anniversary last Spring. Rather than abandon this thinking, some are now saying, “Well, it must be eighty years,” and teaching that Christ should return sometime between now and 2028. I do not believe that will happen either.
Another reason I reject the “fig tree is Israel” hypothesis is the Luke account talks about other trees as well!
Luke 21:29-33 (NKJV) (emphasis added)
29 Then He spoke to them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. 31 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
So, what is the context of the parable of the fig tree?
The parable talks about “these things” or “all these things” – plural. (Israel becoming a nation again is one thing.) What things?
The parable of the fig tree occurs straight after Jesus’ prophecy about the signs of the Tribulation, followed by His return. The most natural reading is that Jesus is saying (paraphrased), “When you see all the signs of the Tribulation, then you know My coming is imminent. The generation that sees all the signs will not pass away until all these things are completed.” This is reasonable, and Luke’s gospel gives it even more credence.
Luke 21:25-28 (NKJV) (emphasis added)
25 “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; 26 men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
“These things” in Luke 21:28 aren’t even in a parable–and they’re clearly about the events of the Tribulation.
