Its foliage signals that it should have early figs. A false profession commonly withers in this world, and it is the effect of Christ's curse. A Preterist Commentary on Mark 11:20-21: The Fig Tree’s lack of Fruit represents the Wickedness of Jerusalem, the City that killed the Prophets, Jesus, and the Saints.. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”  We have a winery nearby and when you take a close look at the vine, it closely resembles a tree branch and is not much different in size from one either. Notes on John 8:12; John 10:1), we may think of the words as illustrated by a living example.Both time and place make this probable. Paul warned Timothy “that in the last days perilous times will come” (2 Tim 3:1) and so, are they here already? “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given”, “to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand”, “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. Christ looked to find some fruit, for the time of gathering figs, though it was near, was not yet come; but he found none. In v. 13, Jesus curses a fig tree without fruit. (Mt 21:23-27). Guest Essay: Is America Suffering from Moral Injury? Just from a practical standpoint, fig-trees were pleasurable things. Also, send me the Evangelical Newsletter and special offers. Someone tells Jesus about the Galileans who were killed when Pilate desecrated the temple by sacrificing a pig there. Mk 13:28,29 Luke 21:29-31, Isaiah 34:4 Chronic fatigue, addiction, or depression causes... Will This Week Bring an Epiphany for Evangelicals? He made this fig-tree an example, not to the trees, but to the men of that generation. This parable comes during what is called the Olivet Prophecy which is about the time just prior to Jesus coming so it must be about the end of the present age…and just prior to His appearing a second time to judge the living and the dead. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”  Was Jesus purpose behind this lesson, as it is sometimes called “The Lesson of the Fig Tree,” that we should be aware that the time of the end of this age and Christ’s appearing will be when the fig tree starts putting out leaves? All one has to do to see that the world is becoming increasingly dangerous to live to simply watch the news. Some theologians believe and teach that He is speaking about the time leading up to the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. 9:33; Mark 4:41, etc,). Third, this story is placed next to the story of Jesus cleansing the temple in Jerusalem (Matthew 21:12-17). The people of this nation are in a covenant relationship with God, and they might outwardly appear to observe his Law. And after they rejected Christ, blindness and hardness grew upon them, till they were undone, and their place and nation rooted up. If you don’t want to pe… Church and ministry leadership resources to better equip, train and provide ideas for today's church and ministry leaders, like you. The money lende… 1 The wickedness of Jerusalem is exemplified by the stoning of Stephen and the subsequent persecution of … The first interpretation concerns the nation of Israel. A close look at these accounts provides insights regarding why Jesus chose to curse this fig tree. The barren fig-tree cursed, The temple cleansed. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. When Jesus returns to judge the souls of men and women, is He giving us a clue as to when this great harvest is going to happen? In the same way, poverty, sickness, etc. Christ relates the Parable of the Fig Tree (verses 29-33) to give instruction regarding His warnings in the previous verses. A fig tree in full leaf in April should have been covered with early fruit. Second, we also need to observe that the cursing of the fig tree occurs on Monday of Jesus's Passion Week, four days before his crucifixion. Second, understanding what it means for figs to be in season shows us how Jesus can expect fruit when it is not fig season. That’s what the conclusion of this parable is when He said “as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. This parable of the fig-tree (Mark 13:28-32; Matthew 24:32-35) Luke applies to “all the trees.” It is true about all of them, but the fig tree was very common in Palestine. Each of us must walk in the light we have. The next morning (presumably Tuesday of Passion Week) Jesus In a way, you could almost think of meeting under a fig-tree as the biblical equivalent of meeting at a Starbucks. The "these things" in verse 31 refers to the question asked in verse 7 and Jesus ' subsequent answer in verses 8-28. Mt 24:32-34: Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and puts forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, Second Edition, The Gospel According to John: Pillar New Testament Commentary [PNTC], Commentary on the Whole Bible Volume VI (Acts to Revelation) - eBook. I invite you to take your Bible and do that. 20 And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away! 6 And He began telling this parable: “A man had a fig tree which had been planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and did not find any. This miracle, which can also be classified as a parable, is recorded in more detail in Mark than in Matthew. These are perilous times in which we live in and they appear to be growing more evil every day. were signs that one was sinful and disobeying God. New International Version (NIV), Matthew 21 - Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible. Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible Now from the fig tree learn her parable: when her branch has now become tender, and putteth forth its leaves, ye know that summer is nigh; even so ye also, when ye see all these things, know ye that he is nigh, even at the doors. Another Reading on Patheos to Check Out: What Did Jesus Really Look Like: A Look at the Bible Facts, Jack Wellman is Pastor of the Mulvane Brethren church in Mulvane Kansas. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”  We have a winery nearby and when you take a close look at the vine, it closely resembles a tree branch and is not much different in size from one either. Let us greatly fear the doom denounced on the barren fig-tree. The fig-tree that had no fruit, soon, lost its leaves. Is Jesus saying that when the branch puts forth its leaves then the time of His second coming is near? There … For their worm shall not die, their fire shall not be quenched, and they shall be an abhorrence to all flesh.”  Not a future that I would envy for anyone, therefore I pray you consider repenting today and confessing your sins and then putting your trust in Christ if you have not already done so, for there is no other way to escape the great fire that is surely coming (Rev 20:15). Jesus cursing the fig tree is recorded in both Matthew 21:18-22 and Mark 11:12-14, 20-25. About this commentary: This tree was fit for nothing but to be cut down and fed to the fire. Jesus told the disciples and I believe He is telling believers today why He spoke in parables, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given” (Matt 13:11). 3. In the Jewish culture, health and prosperity was a sign of God’s blessing. The fig tree generation is the generation that will not pass till all things prophesied in Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21 be fulfilled. If He will be very near to the gates then this means that He’s ready to come back again at any moment but this time He comes not as the mild and meek Lamb of God but as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, ready to judge the world in righteousness. The fruit of the fig-tree was good and sweet; and so people would often go to a fig-tree to sit back, relax, and reflect while munching away at a fig (John 1:48). The nation had promised great things to God. In this view, the fig tree is a symbol of the land of Israel. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible is available in the Public Domain. 20 And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. There is something that just feels rich and decadent about figs. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, What Did Jesus Really Look Like: A Look at the Bible Facts, How Abraham Was Justified 2,000 Years Before Christ. The lack of fruit on the fig tree represents the wickedness of these people who killed the prophets, Jesus, and Jesus’ disciples after Jesus’ crucifixion (Matthew 23:34). To reiterate this moral, Jesus tells the story of the fig tree, the vineyard owner, and the gardener who took care of the vineyard. Gain a concise, fundamental grasp of what the Bible is all about. What meaning is there for believers today? Is it possible that there is a dual application to this teaching and that He is speaking both about the coming fall of Jerusalem and the end of the age? This morning we want to return in our study to Matthew chapter 21. In both accounts, it is clear that the timing of this cursing is of critical relevance. The three entities in the story all have clear symbolic significance. Jesus spoke the Parable or the Lesson of the Fig Tree in Matthew 24:32-35 as such: “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. When Jesus spoke the Parable of the Fig Tree, what did He try to communicate to His listeners? Jesus quoted Isaiah, His favorite Old Testament author, who wrote in Isaiah 66:2 about those who would reject Him that “they shall go out and look on the dead bodies of the men who have rebelled against me. Jesus has already said that “when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates” (Matt 24:33) so it appears to fit the context of the end of the age. The specific purpose of Jesus’ giving the Parable of the Fig Tree and the other parables in Luke 21 is actually given in Luke 13:3 where He says “but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” and “If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned” (John 15:6). In the morning, as he travels from Bethany, he spots a fig tree “in leaf.” At this point in late spring, most fig trees haven’t developed mature fruit (Mark 11:13). So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates” (Matt 24:32b-33). Jack is also the Senior Writer at What Christians Want To Know whose mission is to equip, encourage, and energize Christians and to address questions about the believer’s daily walk with God and the Bible. The man who checks bags for bombs on our transport system was eating juicy figs and gave one to me with a smile. 2. Since this tree had no early fruit, it was a sign that there would be no sweet fruit when the time for harvest arrived. 21 And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away. So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates”, “Behold, the days come, says the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.”, “In that day the Branch of the LORD will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of the survivors in Israel”, “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit”, “but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish”, “If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned”, Identity Politics vs. Transactional Politics. The day of His visitation or coming judgment as He will come as “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit” (Isaiah 11:1). The Parable of the Fig Tree is an encouragement for us to watch the signs of the times. The same power is available to us by faith when we share the gospel and watch the miracle of new birth take place in others. tes sukes mathete (2PAAM) ten parabolen hotan ede o klados auts genetai (3SAMS) apalos kai ta phulla ekphue (3SPAS) ginoskete (2PPAI) hoti eggus to theros.:. Also, send me the Evangelical Newsletter. Mark 11:12-14. This cursing of the barren fig-tree represents the state of hypocrites in general, and so teaches us that Christ looks for the power of religion in those who profess it, and the savour of it from those that have the show of it. And it gives its readers a dire warning: Unless you repent, you will perish. 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