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.
I agree with you on the Parable of the Fig Tree. The context is clearly about the events of the tribulation. Unfortunately, some want to make the parable something more than it is, and it leads to date setting and speculation that causes those who don’t know any better to panic and suffer anxiety. Some people really get scared by these end of the world predictions made by date setters.
I strongly believe that the fig tree is this world when it put forth leaves, it refers to the things which JESUS spoke about that should hsppen before HIS coming. The matter of knowing HIS coming is not a concern becsuse no one knows but GOD. However, these signs tell us to prepare because JESUS is coming soon for HIS children.
I agree, Ernest! And we prepare by persisting in faith and obedience to Jesus, no matter what. I’m confident knowing what to expect and what He expects of us will promote Tribulation endurance.
I strongly believe that the fig tree is this world when it put forth leaves, it refers to the things which JESUS spoke about that should happen before HIS coming. The matter of knowing HIS coming is not a concern because no one knows but GOD. However, these signs tell us to prepare because JESUS is coming soon for HIS children.
I loved reading your thoughts, but I tend to disagree. In everything there is a spiritual aspect. Sometimes we can be to analytical and miss spiritual meanings. For instance, the Old Testament is filled with types of Christ. So, it is a legitimate thought to see that Christ was indeed referring to Israel as the fig tree. He clearly said, Now Learn This Parable. To me if, He wanted to just say, “the end will be like the progressions of a fig tree and such and such.”, but the Lord seemed to place emphasis on learning this parable. Why? As for me, I don’t allow my intellect to remove me from the many facets of God’s wisdom. I do agree that some make the mistake of setting dates, but to see Israel as being that fig tree is not far fetched. Howbeit, I personally don’t know on this one. It could simply be he’s using an example to make a point or it could indeed be the Lord saying pay attention. We will have to wait in see.
If you only read Luke 21:25-28, Israel isn’t mentioned, but great tribulations are described. Verse 28 encourages Christians when they begin to see these things, their redemption draws near. Then Jesus tells the parable of the fig tree in Luke 21:29-33 and it’s the same kind of language. Again, it says these things. (Not one thing, which isn’t even mentioned.)
The Bible tells us that the comforter will guide us into all TRUTH. With the help of the HOLY GHOST we will be able to understand the parables of JESUS. Again, wisdom only comes from GOD and SPIRITUAL things are spiritually discerned. Trying to understand with human understanding will always give a different idea.
Only GOD can help us understand😊🙏.
It’s a good argument, however I would argue that the cursing and drying up of the fig tree, from the roots, matches very well with The Valley of Dry Bones in Ezekiel 37:1-14.
In fact, the former State of Israel, would be destroyed, and dispersed. However, a new state of Israel would be born on May 15, 1948, immediately following the Holocaust.
The earth was without form and void and darkness was upon the face of the deep. Thus the fossil record confirms prior creations upon a substrate then obscured by encroaching seas as God prepared to create something that should never pass away. We were to be such a generation, made in the image of God upon a terrestrial ball able to live forever becasue we had the capacity to receive His eternal word. Neanderthals etc perhpas could not but might have been a divine experiment of how hominids might fare in such a world as ours. At any rate per your discussion we are the generation that shall not pass from Adam to now until all these things foretold by Christ are done, and as such we should not and shall not shirk our duty to inform all people of the coming wrath. Amen. Glory to God.
Hi Jonathan. I don’t have the same perspective on Genesis 1:2. People often cite the fossils, as you are doing, to suggest time before Adam, whereas I believe the fossil record is from the worldwide Flood (Genesis 6) and other catastrophes. The fossil records depict sickness (such as cancer), death, and thorns–all things which did not precede Adam’s sin, according to the Scriptures. Exodus 20:11 says that in six days God made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them. So that makes very clear that Genesis 1:1 should not be separated from the rest of the chapter, which describes how He did it in six days. I reject the long age views, which I think are actually harmful to the foundation of the gospel (though many saved persons believe them). Some believe “this generation shall not pass away” refers to the Adamic race, but personally, I think it means the generation that sees Matthew 24:4-29 will not totally pass away before Matthew 24:30-31 happen. Thank you for commenting. May the Lord use us as ministers of reconciliation.
The Fig tree is most certainly Israel, but Luke peppers in that there are other trees too, and these would be the Jews and the Gentiles in unbelief, that is cut off from God and need but reject spiritual rebirth from the Last Adam, Christ. (1 Corinth 15: 45)
He is the Head ruler of the New Creation that God is making, as we see that in Colossians 1: 15-18 and other passages too.
Jesus isn’t called the BRANCH for no good reason, and if you reject spiritual rebirth and the Messiah, God can not help you. That hope of “The Kingdom” is reserved for those who come in faith. Right now, the world at large is outside of God’s Grace, and Israel as a nation, is fixed in unbelief- but individuals ( Jew or Gentile) can repent-agree with God and become born again into the One New Mankind in Christ Jesus. Romans 9- 11 tells us that God still has a plan to bring a subsection of the nation into fellowship with him in belief, and Zech tells us that it is 1/3 by the end of the Trib.
We know that certain conditions are setting up now for the final Tribulation, 70th Week of Daniel called Time of Jacob’s Trouble; wherein Mankind is going to be entreated to either glorification for the Heirs in Christ as his bride and kept out of it (Rev 3: 10) or be judged severely into it and through it.
It all depends on what you did with the offer of the gospel for Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection to remake man into a new creation in union with a good God, if you were born again, or rejected it and him.
We understand that trees in scripture in Psalms, Daniel, and many other passages, represent in symbol people, and people make up kingdoms. We know that Christ and Daniel and John of Revelation, together expressed that a Rival Beast Impostor Kingdom Rule from hell was coming; it would be comprised of Jews and Gentiles in unbelief, in this Great Reset. (World Economic Forum). There should also be an understanding of the 4th Industrial Revolution, and think Artificial Intelligence that runs things, and those are fallen angels or demonic creatures pretending to be robotics and data info. So the Tree propagation is about Israel and the Gentiles in unbelief taking over, not about Israel becoming a nation in 1948.
#Great Reset
This “tree Kingdom” is diverse from the previous ones Daniel saw of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome combined, but there is a Rome 2.0 Global Governance of Communist Paganist Transhumanists Club of Rome rule that defines the 4th Industrial Revolution of this Satanic Kingdom Rule. (Dragon powered of course)
Daniel, the gospels, Zechariah portions, and Revelation are best viewed together, not parting out a chapter to hyper-focus on, but in concert to reveal the core doctrinal points and reflecting on what is happening today.
So the Trees together are certainly proliferating & setting up for this Summer Threshing floor of Daniel 2, as an overview to correct the erroneous Kingdoms of the world who are trying to replace Jesus, with an impostor Messiah, and impostor Kingdom rule, and an impostor Church, Babylon. We see that setting up now, and that is the point Jesus was making after going over various aspects of the suffering that will be the Tribulation for the Damned, and some will repent: Jews will and Gentiles too. And those who refuse to, will be judged and at some point all meet with either death or be tossed into hell when Jesus comes at the tail end of it, to set up his 1000 year reign with his Wife, Ecclesia, the True Church, and Dead in Christ, that make up the One New Mankind in Christ, for this New heaven(ly) earth. Revelation 19, 20, 21.
The point of “pay attention” is to get as many of the damned to repent and “access the Ark that is GRACE through Christ our Passover Lamb who takes the Judgment for us when men and woman repent and get born again. Be ready is be born again! The pay attention is for the church to get the gospel out and warn the damned of the suffering and depopulation to come dispelled through this rival Beast (Tree) Kingdom that is washed out by the Rock, as we see in Daniel 2, overview.
Daniel 7 gives a lot of specifics, and Revelation 12: 3-5 gives a lot of info, about the glorification of the One New Mankind IN Christ, who are attacked and glorified and raptured out on day one of the Trib called the Day of the Lord. Hebrews 10: 25 says it will be so evident, we will “see the Day approaching”. The Start of it. 7 years elapse and there is an end and more souls are saved then too. Everyone needs to be in Christ to escape that which is coming and receive the inheritance of eternal life and new flesh as the New covenant “births” the now heirs in Christ, as per the Kingdom come in the form of glorification. Rev 12: 5. It is explained out better in tandem with Galatians 3 and 4 especially when also paired with Isaiah 26, 54, and 66. Even Habbakuk 2, which is brought into Hebrews 10 because it is all telling the same story of the birthing day of the One New Mankind in Christ, the goal of what Jesus came to achieve and reseed the earth with.
The Jews tell us that Adam and Eve in Eden were created as the original mankind on Feast of Trumpets and experienced the first wedding and that is funny because Jesus is the last adam, both had rib scars, both got wives, and constituted God’s dominion on earth ruling as essentially Kings. Jesus is the Greater adam, and God uniquely so.
The church is Ecclesia, the Bride Wife and New Creation with the firstborn from among the dead, and are one..
Ephesians 5 goes over this and verse 30 has Jesus saying to wife ” You are bone of my bone, and flesh of my [glorified] flesh”. When will that new creation glorification birthing day and wedding occur: One the Day and Hour No Man Knows, the fulfillment of the Feast of Trumpets forthcoming. Why do people need to pay attention to it? To make sure you are IN that New Creation and taken so you can reap the benefits of it, and not be left and judged as Adam’s kin.
Hi Teresa. From the context, I believe the “fig tree bearing leaves” is all the events of the Tribulation as described in Matthew 24:4-29, leading up to Christ’s coming and our gathering together to Him (Matthew 24:30-31; see also 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8), not about Israel or the nations. If you think you will be raptured before the Tribulation, you will be sorely disappointed if you live to see it, especially when you can see the rhetoric from the World Economic Forum. I have many articles (and videos) besides this one about why Pre-Tribulation Rapture (or Pre-Wrath of any kind) is not Biblically possible. I invite you to prayerfully check them out. The Answers section especially (https://overcomingthetribulation.com/get-answers/) has ten responses to common Pre-Trib/Pre-Wrath arguments. My testimony of how I was convinced that we will not be gathered until the very end is in the Foundations section right on my home page.
So who are the tribulation saints according to your doctrine? That’s just all the Christians who are alive at the time of the rapture when the dead rise? And who is the one that holds what back in 2 Thessalonians? From what I have studied and prayed about, the one that holds the man of lawlessness back is us, Christians who have the holy spirit in us. The antichrist/Satan cannot take over until the Holy Spirit is gone.
“but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way”
https://www.gotquestions.org/tribulation-saints.html
Hi Marissa,
The Tribulation saints are all the believers that happen to be alive for any part of the Tribulation.
I have an article (video/audio also available) about 2 Thessalonians 2, answering the idea that you are referring to. Here it is–it’s named for the assertion I’m answering:
The Church Must Be Gone Before the Man of Lawlessness Can Be Revealed
God bless.
I strongly encourage you to watch this video. It’s about 50 mins, but he coordinates everything with scripture and it all seems to make much more sense than anything else.
Hi Marissa,
I can’t stop you from believing it, but that man teaches Pre-Tribulation Rapture, and for so many reasons I’m confident it’s a deception. I don’t know how much time you have spent on my site and if you’re open at all, but I especially recommend the Foundations (on homepage) and Answers sections, and The Last Trumpet and The Parable of the Wheat and Tares blogs.
God bless.
Annette
Fig tree is indeed Israel. In Hos 9:10 says “I found Israel your fathers as the fruits on fig tree” And in Jer 24:3″ The Lord said to me,what do you see Jeremiah? And i said,good figs ,very good figs and bad figs very bad” He was talking about people of Judah before deportation to Babylon.
Comeon now we have Covid 19 , Jews preparing to build the 3rd temple , NWO, One World Religion and soon anti christ will reveal himself . All this during pandemic, cant think of any more clues better than this
Jesus is talking about the Temple in this passage. If you look at the cursing of the fig tree, you will notice that there is an interesting event sandwiched between the cursing of the tree, and the withering of the roots of the tree. That event is Jesus’ cleansing of the Temple (which wasn’t an actual cleansing, but rather a judgment). The Temple had failed to be a light to the nations. The Court of the Gentiles was being used by the moneychangers and those who were buying and selling. Jesus, alluding to two passages, one in Israel and one in Jeremiah, says My Father’s House shall be called a house of prayer for all nation, but you have made it a den of thieves. The religious leaders asked by what authority Jesus was doing these things and He answered, Destroy this Temple and in three days I will raise it up. The Jewish Temple would be destroyed, no stone remaining on another, but in its place another Temple would be resurrected. That new Temple would be Christ’s Body, the Church, resurrected on Pentecost, which happens to be just prior to summer The fig tee represents the Temple, which had the appearance of righteousness, but had no fruit, for it was not the season for fruit. The reason that it was not the season for fruit was because the Spirit had not yet come. That Spirit would be poured out when the Temple of Christ’s body was resurrected, and a new Temple would be sent out to the uttermost parts of the earth to bear fruit. That Temple would be a House of Prayer for all nations, not just Israel. And that is why we see in Luke that it is not just the fig tree, but all of the trees that come alive. The Kingdom and Temple was taken away from Israel and in its place a new Israel and Temple was born.
passage in Isaiah, not Israel.
p.s. Adding to previous comment, the disciples were amazed that the fig tree had withered. Jesus said that if they had faith, they could say to this mountain, be removed into the sea, and it will be done. He wasn’t talking about any mountain. He was talking about THIS mountain, the Temple Mount. And the removing of the mountain into the sea is a another picture of the Temple of Christ’s Body being sent into the nations. The word translated as “remove” in this passage is “airo,” which means “to be elevated, lifted up, raised up from the ground.” Jesus seems to be alluding to the Mountain of the Lord’s House which, in the last days would be raised above all other hills and established in the top the mountains, with nations streaming into it.
I agree very much with you on the fig tree piece. It never felt right to me. Its really about all the signs. The question for me is how close are we to all the signs today? I would love to get your opinion. The second thing that I question is that it sounds like Jesus is saying His bride will be going through all these things. Many preach that He wouldn’t let us go through it, yet He says the days had been shortened for the elect’s sake. Seems to me His bride is in it for the long haul, not pre-tribulation. Thoughts?
Hi Paris. Amen!
You asked how close do I think think we are? I wrote a blog on this in 2020, and it’s still seeming possible (and even more probable) to me… I titled it “How Soon Might Jesus Come Back?” and it’s a study from Hosea 5-6: https://overcomingthetribulation.com/how-soon-jesus/
Yes, we will be here for the long haul.
1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 & Revelation 20:1-6 were the passages God used that first persuaded me:
https://overcomingthetribulation.com/timing-gathering/
Many other places teach that our gathering is at His coming, after the Tribulation. For example:
Matthew 13:
https://overcomingthetribulation.com/parable-wheat-tares/
2 Thessalonians 1: https://overcomingthetribulation.com/day-of-lord-wrath/ (answering a Pre-Trib argument)
2 Thessalonians 2: https://overcomingthetribulation.com/church-gone-before/ (answering a Pre-Trib argument)
1 Corinthians 15: https://overcomingthetribulation.com/the-last-trumpet/
Because the dead in Christ rise first (1 Th 4:15-17) and the dead rise on the last day (John 6:39, 40, 44, 54), that’s another reason. https://youtu.be/Uj8DY8HzYgA?si=NFBjpg6XA7eZg71q (Video on that)
God bless! Thanks for writing.