The Passage
This morning a brother shared about the parable of the fig tree. He was doing a deep dive into it. I volunteered to give my input of what the fig tree in Matthew 24:32-35 (Mark 13:28-31; Luke 21:29-33) signified.
Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. (Matt. 24:32-35, NKJV)
To read this in context, we will need to back up several verses, to Matthew 24:29, or even further back to verse 15. Yahushua is talking about the end times and the different “earmarkers” that would give us the “signs of the times.”
Studying Deeper
Most of us (westerners) have an initial understanding of this passage. We read and see thee plain and literal meaning of it. You could call it the “surface” level, but there is always more to dig up, sort of like digging for spiritual treasure. Study is like that; it can be simplified like this:
Surface study comes from what we already have learned in life and applying it to what we read. This can be an hindrance when studying Scripture because as westerners, we are unaware of common eastern customs and idioms. Yahushua used a common understanding of the fig tree because likely everyone understood its growing and fruiting cycle.
When I think of studying a subject, it reaches past my present capacity of knowledge in that area. Word studies, looking up the Hebrew and Greek, checking dictionaries, lexicons, even encyclopedias help expand my knowledge of the topic. This is the study we are accustomed to doing.
To dig even deeper, into the profound layers of understanding is often where we glimpse and experience eastern concepts. Westerners like to compartmentalize and categorize, but I have found in studying the Scriptures that easterners think as a whole, that the physical often mirrors the spiritual realm. Hence, Yahushua used agriculture concepts to explain spiritual concepts because it really does mirror. When we begin to grasp these concepts, a whole new word of understanding opens up to us and Scripture impacts us profoundly.
As we continue to study, learn, and understand, we also are spending time in Yahweh’s Word. We open up our hearts to His Spirit and He speaks to us through His Word. Deep revelation and understanding that can only come from Him permeate our hearts and minds. This is where all the head knowledge becomes heart knowledge and we begin to apply the truths and wisdom we have learned into our own lives.
Diving into Study
What were your thoughts on what the fig tree represented? Was it the nation of Israel? The people of Israel? The people of Yahweh?
The fig tree parable reveals clues (quite plainly) in the above passage. It is a metaphor of the times described in the previous passages (almost to the beginning of the chapter). It is not culimination of the chapter, but embedded in the middle. This fig tree represents something more than that.
When we study this passage (and the whole chapter to get a better idea), we find clues that reveal themselves, though not by studying this passage alone. We would need to expand our understanding of the fig tree. How? Let’s start with a word study of the fig tree.
Word Study
Throughout Scripture, the fig tree is often used as a word picture. With its first mention in Judges 9:10, it makes its debut as a comparison in a story. Below is a list of references that refer to the fig tree:
- Judges 9:10
- Judges 9:11
- 1 Kings 4:25
- 2 Kings 18:31
- Proverbs 27:18
- Song of Solomon 2:13
- Isaiah 34:4
- Isaiah 36:16
- Jeremiah 8:13
- Hosea 9:10
- Joel 1:7
- Joel 1:12
- Joel 2:22
- Micah 4:4
- Habbakuk 3:17
- Haggai 2:19
- Zechariah 3:10
- Matthew 21:19
- Matthew 21:20
- Matthew 21:21
- Matthew 24:32
- Mark 11:13
- Mark 11:20
- Mark 11:21
- Mark 13:28
- Luke 13:6
- Luke 13:7
- Luke 21:29
- John 1:48
- John 1:50
- James 3:12
- Revelation 6:13
On the surface level, it may be a good idea to list how the fig tree is used in these references, when it’s used as a personification, a metaphor, a simile, for blessings, for destruction. It is also helpful to look into the language use of the this tree (or shrub?). What other trees, shrubs, vines, and plants are listed with it? What are the associations used in these references?
Secular and Contemporary Information
Another area to study would be about the fig tree itself. We would learn about its scientific name, its characteristics and cultivation, how to care for it, what kind of fruit it produces, growing conditions, harvest schedule, pests, etc. If we are going to understand this passage, we will need to understand everything there is to know about the fig tree. Our efforts are to uncover any possible unknown factors. We want to know about the fig tree inside and out.
Can it be grown anywhere? What kind of soil does it need? Is there pollination involved? Does it have crop schedules? Does the fig tree need pruning attention? Where does it grow best? What climate is best for it? What are the health benefits of figs and any other question you can think of.
Get Started
It would seem easier just to get the bottom line of what the fig tree means in the passage, but then we run the danger of being too superficial and not taking to heart what Yahushua’s message is for us. By doing our own study, we open up the pathways of communication between us and Yahweh and allow Yahweh’s Spirit to speak to us on a more personal level. Delving deep into the Scriptures and initiating our own study of botany about the fig tree, the door to greater understanding becomes easier to open. The lessons for our hearts become more meaningful and the desire to know and apply it in our own lives strengthens.
Next week, we will (Yahweh willing!) review the passages briefly and summarize the fig tree. Please comment your findings below.
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