In Matthew 13:10 the disciples ask Jesus, "Why speakest thou unto them in parables?" He answers in verse 11, "Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them [the Jewish religious leaders and the mul...titudes] it is not given." Thus the parables have a twofold purpose: they veil truth from the wise and explained certain truths, and made those truths clear to the disciples. As Jesus Himself said, parables hide things from the wise and prudent of this world and reveal them to babes (Luke 10:21).Once you recognize that Jesus spoke in parables to enhance the disciples' understanding and not to confuse them, then you also realize that they aren't difficult to understand. Jesus used them to teach simple truths. The disciples didn't have much to go on when they heard the parables, and we can understand them just as they did. That's especially important to know for the parable of the fig tree because is a straightforward analogy. Jesus didn't intend to complicate the disciples' understanding of the truths about His return.
"Now learn a parable of the fig tree: When its branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near."An analogy about a fig tree was easy for the disciples to understand. Fig trees were around them everywhere; they were familiar with them. In fact, earlier that morning Jesus had taught the disciples a lesson by using a fig tree (Matt. 21:18-22). The Lord saw a fig tree with leaves but no fruit, and taught the disciples about fruitlessness and prayer.
Christ wasn't the first teacher to use a fig tree in His teaching. Jotham the son of Gideon used a fig tree to illustrate a point in Judges 9:10-11. In Hosea 9:10, figs were used to speak of the patriarchs. Jeremiah used baskets of figs to speak of good and bad people (Jer. 24:2). Joel 1:7 uses a fig tree to teach a spiritual lesson. So the Israelites' familiarity with the fig tree made it ideal for illustrative purposes.
Notice that when Jesus taught the parable of the fig tree, He began by saying, "Now learn a parable" Matthew 24:32. He wanted the disciples to get the point of His analogy. The Greek word translated "learn" (manthano) speaks of learning something thoroughly. When its branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, you know that summer is near." When the tree first buds, you know it's spring. That means its almost time to harvest the fruit. So Jesus was saying that when spring comes, that means summer is near, and summer is harvest time.
Whenever Christ spoke about harvests in the New Testament, He referred to the time when He will return to separate the good from the bad--when He returns in judgment. John the Baptist also said, (to the Pharisees and Sadducees) His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire (Matthew 3:13). The fire refers to judgment. Christ will sift the good from the bad--just as wheat is sifted from chaff--and the chaff will be burned with unquenchable fire.
So in the analogy of the fig tree, when Jesus said harvest was near, the disciples knew what He was talking about. Just as summer is imminent when a fig tree shoots forth leaves, so is the second coming imminent when the disciples "see all these things." Jesus also gives the disciples other sings then the fig tree Luke 21:20-22 "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. "Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. "For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
Jesus was referring specifically to the very same (time frame) of Matthew 23 and that very same generation (Luke 21:32). Jesus ended verse 33 by saying, "Know that it is near, even at the doors." That's how close His return will be--so near that it's as if He were knocking on a door about to be opened. James writes some years later? You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the (Lord is at hand) Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is (standing at the door)! (James 5:8-9)
Many people believe the fig tree in Matthew 24:32 is Israel. They say the bursting forth of leaves represents the beginning of Israel's statehood in 1948. However, the promise is there's no way the disciples would have perceived His teaching that way. Remember that Jesus was teaching the parable to make things clear to them.
In Matthew 13:10 the disciples ask Jesus, "Why speakest thou unto them in parables?" He answers in verse 11, "Because it is given unto YOU TO KNOW the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them [the Jewish religious leaders and the multitudes] it is not given." Once you recognize that Jesus spoke in parables to enhance the disciples' understanding and not to confuse them, then you also realize Jesus was not talking about any beginning of Israel's statehood in 1948 something the disciples would not have understood. Jesus used the parables to teach the disciples simple truths.
So when fig trees start sprouting new leaves, that's a sign the harvest is near. What did Christ use harvests to illustrate in the New Testament? At the end of the Jewish age. Matthew 13:36-41 Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field." He answered and said to them: "He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. "The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. "The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels. "Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age.
