“Now
from the fig tree learn this parable. When its branch has now become tender, and produces its leaves, you know that the summer is near. Even so you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Most certainly I tell you, this generation will not pass away, until all these things are accomplished.
Matthew 24:32-34
Matthew 24 [25.] “Behold, I have told you beforehand. If therefore they tell you, ‘Behold, he is in the wilderness,’ don’t go out; ‘Behold, he is in the inner rooms,’ don’t believe it. For as the lightning flashes from the east, and is seen even to the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For wherever the carcass is, there is where the vultures gather together. But immediately after the oppression of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken; and then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky. Then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. He will send out his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together his chosen ones from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.
Matthew 24 [32.] “Now from the fig tree learn this parable. When its branch has now become tender, and produces its leaves, you know that the summer is near. Even so you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Most certainly I tell you, this generation will not pass away, until all these things are accomplished. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. But no one knows of that day and hour, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
Matthew 24 [37.] “As the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days which were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ship, and they didn’t know until the flood came, and took them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and one will be left; two women grinding at the mill, one will be taken and one will be left. Watch therefore, for you don’t know in what hour your Lord comes. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have watched, and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore also be ready, for in an hour that you don’t expect, the Son of Man will come.
Meaning:
The disciples had asked two questions: when would the temple be destroyed, and what would be the sign of Jesus’ coming and the end of the age (Matthew 24:3). Now he gives a simple lesson from nature to help them read the times. Mark and Luke record the same parable (Mark 13:28-31; Luke 21:29-32).
- “Now from the fig tree learn this parable”
Fig trees were common in Israel, and everyone knew their seasons. Unlike the olive and many other trees of the land, which keep their leaves all year, the fig tree loses its leaves in winter. When its bare branches become soft and full of sap and new leaves appear, people know that summer is coming. The Song of Solomon describes spring in the same way: “The fig tree ripens her green figs” (Song of Solomon 2:13).
Only a few days earlier Jesus had cursed a fig tree near Jerusalem because he “found nothing on it but leaves” (Matthew 21:19). That tree was a picture of a nation with religious show but no fruit. Now the fig tree teaches a different lesson: watch the signs.
- “when you see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors”
Just as tender branches announce summer, the events Jesus described announce that the end is near. Jesus had criticised the religious leaders because they could forecast the weather, “but you can’t discern the signs of the times!” (Matthew 16:3). His disciples were to be different, alert and able to read what God was doing.
- “this generation will not pass away, until all these things are accomplished”
This is one of the most discussed sayings in the Gospels. The PIB footnote explains that the word for “generation” can also be translated “race”. Many understand “this generation” as the people living in Jesus’ day. Just a chapter earlier Jesus had said, “Most certainly I tell you, all these things will come upon this generation” (Matthew 23:36), referring to judgement on Jerusalem. About forty years later, within the lifetime of many who heard him, Roman armies destroyed the city and the temple, exactly as he foretold (Matthew 24:1-2). Others take “generation” to mean the Jewish people, or the generation that sees the final signs. In any case Jesus stresses the certainty of his words. He goes on, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away” (Matthew 24:35).
The Significance of Matthew 24:32-34
- Read the times with wisdom
God has not left his people in the dark. Through Scripture he gives us enough understanding to live wisely and watchfully. History is moving toward Christ’s return.
- God’s word is sure
The destruction of Jerusalem showed that Jesus’ prophecies come true. Because his earlier words were fulfilled, we can trust his promise to return as well.
- The nearness of his coming
“At the doors” means close. Every generation of believers should live as people whose Lord may arrive at any moment, ready to welcome him.
Cross-References:
Mark 13:29: "even so you also, when you see these things coming to pass, know that it is near, at the doors." The parallel in Mark.
Luke 21:29: "See the fig tree, and all the trees." Luke’s version of the parable.
Matthew 23:36: "Most certainly I tell you, all these things will come upon this generation." Judgement within a generation.
Matthew 16:3: "but you can’t discern the signs of the times!" The failure to read God’s signs.
Conclusion: In Matthew 24:32-34 Jesus uses the fig tree as a parable. When its branches turn tender and put out leaves, summer is near. In the same way, when his followers see the events he foretold, they should know that the end is near, at the doors. His promise that “this generation” would see these things was fulfilled in the fall of Jerusalem, and it assures us that all his words will come true.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible