Parable of the Fig Tree Insights

Many people have an interest in the “Parable of the Fig Tree”. The parable first appears in Matthew 24:32-25 (and also appears in Mark 13:28-31 and Luke 21:29-32). Here is the parable described in the Book of Matthew:

“(32) Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: (33) So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. (34) Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. (35) Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” (Matthew 24:32-35)

Many believe that Israel represents the fig tree in the Parable of the Fig Tree. Some also believe we are the generation that will see the return of Christ after the creation of the state of Israel in 1948. This view has led to speculation over the past few decades about when Christ will return:

• One popular theory was that Christ would return in 1988. Proponents of this view believed a generation is 40 years.
• Some believed Christ would return in 2007. Proponents of this theory believed that 1967 marked the start of the final generation and a generation is 40 years.
• A current theory is that Christ will return between 2018-2028. Proponents of this theory argue that a “generation” is 70 to 80 years and the final generation started in 1948.

As you can see, some believe the Parable of the Fig Tree gives us insight about the Rapture and coming of Christ. In this article, I provide biblical insights about this important parable.

Israel and the Parable of the Fig Tree

Proponents of the idea that the Parable of the Fig Tree is about Israel believe that Israel represents the fig tree in Scripture. They cite several passages to make their case. Here are three examples that they often cite…

Jeremiah 24:1-9

The passage describes two groups of figs: those taken captive (the good figs) and those who remained in the land and lived in land of Egypt (the bad figs):

(1) The LORD shewed me, and, behold, two baskets of figs were set before the temple of the LORD, after that Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon had carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, and the princes of Judah, with the carpenters and smiths, from Jerusalem, and had brought them to Babylon. (2) One basket had very good figs, even like the figs that are first ripe: and the other basket had very naughty figs, which could not be eaten, they were so bad. (3) Then said the LORD unto me, What seest thou, Jeremiah? And I said, Figs; the good figs, very good; and the evil, very evil, that cannot be eaten, they are so evil. (4) Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, (5) Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans for their good. (6) For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I will build them, and not pull them down; and I will plant them, and not pluck them up. (7) And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart. (8) And as the evil figs, which cannot be eaten, they are so evil; surely thus saith the LORD, So will I give Zedekiah the king of Judah, and his princes, and the residue of Jerusalem, that remain in this land, and them that dwell in the land of Egypt: (9) And I will deliver them to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth for their hurt, to be a reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse, in all places whither I shall drive them.” (Jeremiah 24:1-9)

Hosea 9:10

Hosea 9:10 compares the Israelites to the first fruits of a fig tree:

“I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time: but they went to Baalpeor, and separated themselves unto that shame; and their abominations were according as they loved.” (Hosea 9:10)

Mark 11:13-23

Mark 11:13-23 (also Matthew 21:18-22) is another often cited passage. Mark 11:13-14 mentions that Christ commanded a fig tree to never grow fruit again. Mark 11:20-21 describes the discovery of the same fig tree-now withered away:

“(13) And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. (14) And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it. (15) And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves; (16) And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple. (17) And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves. (18) And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine. (19) And when even was come, he went out of the city. (20) And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.  (21) And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.  (22) And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. (23) For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.” (Mark 11:13-23)

Some view the cursing of the fig tree as a symbolic rebuke of Israel’s poor spiritual condition at the time. Others disagree.

I will not argue for or against the idea that the fig tree represents Israel in this article. The reason is that whether Israel represents the fig tree has no bearing on my view concerning the Parable of the Fig Tree. I’ll explain my view on the Parable of the Fig Tree next.

The Parable of the Fig Tree & All Trees

The Parable of the Fig Tree does not specifically relate to Israel because the parable is not solely about the fig tree. Luke 21:29 states the parable relates to the fig tree and all the trees:

(29) And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; (30) When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. (31) So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. (32) Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.” (Luke 21:29-32)

The focus on the fig tree and all the trees suggests the parable is not solely about a development that relates to the fig tree. Israel may represent a fig tree, but the parable is not only about the fig tree sprouting leaves. The sprouting of every tree’s leaves, including the fig tree, is the focus of the parable as “they” are the subject of Luke 21:30.

Luke 21:29-32’s account of the parable does not conflict with Matthew 24:32-35 and Mark 13:28-31 as the Word of God is inerrant and without contradiction.

• The difference between Luke 21:29-32 and Matthew 24:32-35 & Mark 13:28-31 is just an instance where Matthew and Mark emphasized the fig tree element of the parable (after all, the fig tree was distinguished from “all the trees” even in Luke 21:29-32).

The Parable’s Purpose

Christ tried to convey the message that people can tell that His Coming is near when they see the events He described taking place like people can tell that summer is near when they see trees sprout leaves.

• In other words, Christ sought to alert people that the events He described are indicators that people can look at to gauge how near His Coming is as people can look at the sprouting of leaves to tell what time of year it is.

People who will endure the great tribulation may not keep a good track of time as they try to survive. Some may lose track of what day it is as they seek to survive the persecution.

The events Christ described can serve as indicators to help these people to have an idea of how close Christ’s Coming is.

• The events for people to watch for relate to what Christ described in the Olivet Discourse prior to the mentioning the parable. For instance, the signs in the sun and moon are events people should watch to get a sense of how close Christ’s Coming is.

Conclusion

You are welcome to believe that the Parable of the Fig Tree relates to Israel in some way, shape, or form. However, proponents of the view that the Parable of the Fig Tree relates to Israel need to account for why the parable in Luke 21:29-32 includes all trees (and not just the fig tree).

Again, the Parable of the Fig Tree is an analogy given by Christ to communicate the message to people that they can tell that His Coming is near when they see the events He described transpire. It is not a hidden message to watch out for the Rapture by a certain date after the creation of the state of Israel.