The Lesson of the Fig Tree

Luke 21:29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;

In the Parable of the Fig Tree Jesus taught that one can tell what is coming by watching the signs. By looking at fig leaves sprouting in April, they know that summer is near. Similarly when the Great Tribulation comes, people will know that the kingdom of God is near.

Luke 21:30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.

Jesus’ words, Now learn this lesson, show that He was beginning to apply what He had been teaching. When the twigs of fig trees begin to get tender and put forth leaves, that is a sure sign summer is not far away. In Jerusalem.

Luke 21:31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.

Just as a fig tree was a harbinger of summer, so these signs (Mat. 24:4-28) Jesus had been speaking of clearly indicated that His coming would follow shortly. That generation will actually see the founding of the kingdom of God - something every generation of Jewish citizens has longed for throughout the nation’s history.

Luke 21:32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.

The Lord’s emphasis fell on the fact that all these things would be necessary. While various events throughout history have been pointed to as the fulfillment of this prophecy, clearly all these things (pertaining to the Great Tribulation) have never occurred. The clause, this generation (genea of Jews) will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened, has caused much controversy. Some think Jesus was telling His disciples that their generation would see the destruction of the temple. That interpretation stems primarily from Luke 21:5-7 in which the discussion pertained to the temple’s destruction. However, because of Luke 21:31 (in which Jesus spoke of the coming of the kingdom of God), and because of Mat_24:34, it seems preferable to say His words refer to the generation living at the time of the cosmological events that will just precede His second coming.

Luke 21:33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

The generation (genea) of people living in that future day will see the completion of all the events. Jesus was not referring to the generation listening to Him then, for He had already said the kingdom had been taken from that group (Mat. 21:43). That first-century generation would experience God’s judgment. But the generation that will be living at the time these signs begin to take place will live through that period and will see the Lord Jesus coming as the King of glory. This promise is sure, for it would be easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for Christ’s words to fail (cf. Mat. 5:18).

And... (Vs. 29)

καί

kai

kahee

Apparently a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so, then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words: - and, also, both, but, even, for, if, indeed, likewise, moreover, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yea, yet.

He (Jesus) spake...

ἔπω

epō

ep'-o

A primary verb (used only in the definite past tense, the others being borrowed; to speak or say (by word or writting): - answer, bid, bring word, call, command, grant, say (on), speak, tell.

to them (disciples/us)...

αὐτός

autos

ow-tos'

From the particle αὖ au (perhaps akin to the base of to blow through the idea of a baffling wind; backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the compound of him of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons: - her, it (-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, ([self-], the) same, ([him-, my-, thy-]) self, [your-] selves, she, that, their (-s), them ([-selves]), there [-at, -by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with], they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which.

a parable;...

παραβολή

parabolē

par-ab-ol-ay'

From to liken; a similitude (“parable”), that is, (symbolically) fictitious narrative (of common life conveying a moral), apoth gm or adage: - comparison, figure, parable, proverb.

Behold...

εἴδω

eidō

i'-do

A primary verb; used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent, to gaze and to discern properly; properly to see (literally or figuratively); by implication (in the perfect only) to know: - be aware, behold, X can (+ not tell), consider, (have) known (-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wist, wot.

the...

ὁ, ἡ, τό

ho hē to

ho, hay, to

The masculine, feminine (second) and neuter (third) forms, in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom): - the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.

fig tree...

συκῆ

sukē

soo-kay'

From a fig; a fig tree: - fig tree.

and... see above.

all...

πᾶς

pas

pas

Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole: - all (manner of, means) alway (-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no (-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.

the... see above.

trees;...

δένδρον

dendron

den'-dron

Probably from δρύς drus (an oak); a tree: - tree.