A Parable of the Fig Tree - Matthew 24:32

Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus said, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken. And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other”, and in chapter twenty-four and verse thirty-two of his book, Matthew writes how Jesus instructed His disciples to, “learn a parable of the fig tree” where we read:

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 verse reads, “Now learn a parable of the fig tree;” Matthew began with Jesus' words, “now learn which means “at this time and moment be apprised, informed and understand” “a parable” or “an earthly story with a heavenly meaning” “of the fig tree” which refers to “of the tree which bears the fruit of figs”. Matthew shared how Jesus called His disciples' attention toward a story about the “fig tree”.

The verse goes on to say, “When his branch is yet tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is nigh:” Matthew continued with the word, “when” or “at the time and moment” “his branch” or “the fig tree's young shoot, twig or bough” “is yet tender” which means “is already soft and full of sap”, “and puts forth leaves” which means “and produces sprouts or leaves”, “you know that summer” or “the disciples understand and perceive the heated summertime” “is near” which means “is close at hand or in proximity”. Matthew shared how Jesus referred to the time when the “tender branches” of a fig tree begin to produce leaves which indicates that “summertime” is drawing near.

When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we understand that Jesus is employing another earthly story to convey a “heavenly” event. This time He uses a “fig tree” (which is a symbol for Israel) when it is beginning to produce “leaves” after a long winter. These things usually occur in the spring of the year, and they show that “summertime” is near. Jesus will share more of this “parable” in the next verse, but suffice it for now to know that “the fig tree” is beginning to produce it's leaves, and those who are wise will know that these events of which Jesus speaks are soon to come upon the world. All who are wise will submit their lives to Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord” and be ready to escape all these things.

Next time Matthew writes how Jesus tells His disciples, “when you see all these things, know that it is near”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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