The Parable of
the Sprouting
Fig Tree
MATT 24; MARK 13; AND LUKE 21
Look at His Word:
Matt 24: 32
“Now learn this
lesson from the
fig tree: As soon
as its twigs get
tender and its
leaves come out,
you know that
summer is near.”
Mark 13: 28 - 31
“Now learn from the fig tree:
as soon as its twigs get tender
and its leaves come out, you
know that summer is near.
Even so, when you see these
things happening, you know
that it (he) is near, right at the
door. Truly, I tell you, this
generation will certainly not
pass away until these things
have happened. Heaven and
earth will pass away, but My
words will never pass away.
Luke 21: 29 - 33
“Look at the fig tree
and all the trees. When
they sprout leaves, you
can see for yourselves
and know that the
summer is near. Even so
when you see these
things happening, you
know that the kingdom
of God is near. Truly I tell
you, this generation will
not pass away until all
these things have
happened…”
The Fig Tree
Can grow up to 30 –35 feet tall & 2 –3 ft
diameter.
Adapts to lots of different kinds of soil
(even grows in rocky ground)
Life cycle: loses leaves in winter, sprouts
new leaves in Spring. Summer means the
fulfillment of the process/season
Fruit appears before leaves are fully grown
–two harvests: June/July and Aug/Sept
…most Israeli homes had fig trees
A symbol of bounty, well-being, sweetness,
etc…blessings
A symbol of Israel
Fig Trees talked about in the OT
First mentioned in Gen 3:7 –Adam and Eve
Symbol of love blossoming –Song of Solomon 2: 13, “The fig
tree ripens its figs,…arise, come away, my darling; come away
with me, my beautiful one…”
Symbol of Israel –Hosea 9: 10, “I saw your fathers as first fruits of
the fig tree in its first season…”
Symbol of safety and prosperity –I Kings 4: 25, “During
Solomon’s lifetime, Judah and Israel…lived in safety, everyone
under their own vine and under their own fig tree.”
Withered tree –symbol of judgement, Jer 8: 13, “I will gather
them to the end…there would be no fruit on the fig trees…”
Removal of His blessings…
Fig Trees talked about in the NT:
Cursing of the fig tree: Mark 11: 12 –14 & 20 –21, Jesus
pronounced judgement on the unfruitful fig tree and it
withered, this was directed to the spiritual leaders of His day
Parable in Luke 13: 6 –9: The Unfruitful Fig Tree. Jesus told a story
of an owner of an unfruitful fig tree deciding to cut it down and
burn its wood BUT the gardener asked to “leave it alone for one
more year, and I will dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit
next year – fine! But if not, then cut it down.” Mercy shown!
Symbol of the Day of the Lord in Matt 24: 32, Mark 13, & Luke
21; our texts for this morning… the Mount Olivet Discourse
Prophetic Perspective:
Immediate Context: Some interpreters of the Word say that
Jesus was warning to watch for the judgement coming upon
Israel, warning them of what happened in 70 ad when Nero
burnt down Jerusalem –judgement against Israel
The rebirth of Israel as a Nation: “Now learn this lesson from
the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves
come out, you know that summer is near.” (Matt 24: 32)
Modern interpretation looks at:
Arab-Israeli War
May 14, 1948
Israel declared it’s
independence from
several Arab countries
occupying ancient Israeli
lands and Israel became
the country of Israel (State
of Israel)
The Six Day War
Miracle
June 5 –10, 1967
Coalition of Arab states:
Egypt, Syria, and Jordan
fought against Israel –land
disputes
Casualties: Egypt = 11,000;
Jordan = 6,000; Syria –1,000
and Israel = 776
Thoughts for Today (our time):
Is the fig tree budding –Matt 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21? Is this
the time Jesus was talking about, watch because He is at the
door ready to return?
Not sure…
We do know:
God is sovereign! He is in control!
We are called to repentance and to be fruitful
Encourage each other…these prophesies bring hope!
Jesus’ return is imminent (true business and for sure)
Matthew 24: 32
“Now learn this lesson from the fig
tree: As soon as its twigs get tender
and its leaves come out, you know
that summer is near.”