Matthew 24:32 - Printer Friendly

ESV: “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.

NIV: Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near.

NASB: Now learn the parable from the fig tree: as soon as its branch has become tender and sprouts its leaves, you know that summer is near;

CSB: "Learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near.

NLT: Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near.

KJV: Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:

NKJV: “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.

The disciples have asked Jesus two questions (Matthew 24:3), and He has been answering them. They have asked when will "all these things" happen in direct reference to God's judgment in destroying the temple. They have also asked about signs of His second coming and the end of the age. Jesus has, perhaps surprisingly, described both at length. All the same, His words are not as clear as we might prefer. There is considerable debate over exactly how these signs will be accomplished. All that's clear is that when they are fulfilled, no one on earth will have the slightest doubt about what is happening (Matthew 24:23–31).

Here, Christ compares the signs He has described to the budding leaves of a fig tree in the spring. People in that region would have learned by experience that tender branches and new leaves mean summer is near. Jesus wants His followers to understand that when the things He has described as signs of His return begin to happen, His arrival will also be near.

Matthew 24:32–35 begins with Jesus' instructions to learn from the example of a fig tree. When the leaves appear, people know summer is coming. In the same way, when mankind sees all these predicted signs, they should know Christ's return is near. The generation who sees those signs will not pass way until all the predicted signs have been completed. Nothing will change this since Jesus' words will not pass away even though heaven and earth may pass away.

Jesus makes a dire prediction about the destruction of the temple. Immediately after this, while seated on the Mount of Olives, Jesus responds to a question from the disciples. They ask when judgment will come and what signs will signal His return. Christ describes a season of unimaginable world turmoil and persecution. He points to a specific moment of defilement of the temple, at which point people should run for their lives. Jesus speaks of world-threatening tribulation which will be cut short right before He returns as King and Judge. Since nobody can possibly know when He will return, His followers must live in readiness.

Jesus has just left the temple area, after delivering a blistering criticism of the scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 23). After predicting that the temple would be destroyed, He answers their questions about the end times. He speaks of a period when He will be gone from earth and they will be persecuted and killed. The world will be in turmoil, but the gospel will be preached everywhere. Nobody knows exactly when Jesus' return will be completed, so his followers should constantly be prepared. Jesus continues to teach on these themes in the next chapter.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.

Accessed 4/29/2024 2:43:27 PM