The Fig Tree

What is the parable of the Fig Tree? It can be found in Matthew 24:32-35, Mark 13:28-31, and Luke 21:29-33. Mark’s account reads as follows:

“Now learn a parable of the fig tree; 

When her branch is yet tender, and puts forth leaves, 

you know that summer is near: So you in like manner, 

when you shall see these things come to pass, 

know that it is nigh, even at the doors. 

Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, 

till all these things be done. Heaven and earth shall pass away: 

but my words shall not pass away.” Mark 13:28-31

The fig tree is often used in scripture to symbolize Israel’s national privileges and ownership of their land.  In this passage, Jesus uses the fig tree as an object lesson: When you see tender leaves start to grow, you know summer is near. Then He says, “So you in like manner, when you shall see these things come to pass…” What things? The signs of the last days and the Great Tribulation, spoken of before this parable in Mark 13. The verb phrase, “Come to pass,” is a present participle passive—meaning to begin to be.

The Fig Tree in this parable represents Israel becoming a nation, which happened on May 14, 1948. God promised all through the Old Testament that He would bring scattered Israel back to their land, and he did! The generation that sees the fig tree come back to life, will see the the signs of the last days, the Great Tribulation, and the return of Christ!

That begs some pretty big questions: What is a generation? How do we know the fig tree represents Israel? How do we know the fig tree putting forth leaves is tied to Israel again becoming a nation?  People all through history, since the time of Christ, thought they were seeing signs of the last days, so how can we be sure we’re the generation? We’ll explore all these and more in this section. It should be fun!