Jesus & the fig tree

[ken777]

Do you think the fig tree mentioned in several places in the Gospels represents Israel, and does it have a prophetic significancefers to Israel?

1. Luke 13:6-9
2. Mat 21:18-22; Mark 11:12-22
3. Mat 24:32-35; Mark 13:28-31; Luke 21:29-33

 

[dougangel]

Do you think the fig tree mentioned in several places in the Gospels represents Israel, and does it have a prophetic significancefers to Israel?

1. Luke 13:6-9
2. Mat 21:18-22; Mark 11:12-22
3. Mat 24:32-35; Mark 13:28-31; Luke 21:29-33

Most certainly.

 

[ken777]

Most certainly.

Do you see the budding fig tree as the re-establishment of Israel?

“Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened." (Luke 21:29-32)

How do you understand: "this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.""?

.​

 

[Codger]

Do you think the fig tree mentioned in several places in the Gospels represents Israel, and does it have a prophetic significancefers to Israel?

1. Luke 13:6-9
2. Mat 21:18-22; Mark 11:12-22
3. Mat 24:32-35; Mark 13:28-31; Luke 21:29-33

Luke13:6-9 is the only place that infers this. The text does not connect Israel to the fig tree rather we do this by interpretation. Israel was not symbolically connected to the fig tree.

When Jesus cursed the fig tree he was using a simple simile...

He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees.

Luke 21:30


When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near.

Luke 21:31


Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.

Luke 21:32


“Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.

According to Luke he was talking about all of the trees not just the fig tree. He had been telling his disciples about his coming death and the end of Israel. He told them of many events that would happen in their future.

Then he says that when the trees sprout leaves in the spring then you know that summer is near. Likewise when you see the things happen that I told you about then the end of Jerusalem and the gathering of Gods people is near. And Jerusalem and the Temple did pass away and the Jews were killed by the 100ds of thousands and were scattered once again. That generation did not pass away until his words were fulfilled.

And...

Matt 21:18 Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered.

Does it make any sense that Jesus would destroy a fig tree just because it did not bear fruit out of season? No that is totally irrational. He did this just before the cross and what He did here was highly significant - but the Disciples didn't catch on. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden they covered their nakedness with what? FIG LEAVES. The Jews believed that the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was indeed the fig tree. Here Jesus is symbolizing that the fig tree will never again be the source of the downfall of mankind as it was in the days of Adam and Eve. Because He was the second Adam and HE had come to restore what disobedience had destroyed with his atoning death on the cross.

 

[ken777]

Luke13:6-9 is the only place that infers this. The text does not connect Israel to the fig tree rather we do this by interpretation. Israel was not symbolically connected to the fig tree.

When Jesus cursed the fig tree he was using a simple simile...

He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees.

Luke 21:30


When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near.

Luke 21:31


Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.

Luke 21:32


“Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.

According to Luke he was talking about all of the trees not just the fig tree. He had been telling his disciples about his coming death and the end of Israel. He told them of many events that would happen in their future.

Then he says that when the trees sprout leaves in the spring then you know that summer is near. Likewise when you see the things happen that I told you about then the end of Jerusalem and the gathering of Gods people is near. And Jerusalem and the Temple did pass away and the Jews were killed by the 100ds of thousands and were scattered once again. That generation did not pass away until his words were fulfilled.

And...

Matt 21:18 Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered.

Does it make any sense that Jesus would destroy a fig tree just because it did not bear fruit out of season? No that is totally irrational. He did this just before the cross and what He did here was highly significant - but the Disciples didn't catch on. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden they covered their nakedness with what? FIG LEAVES. The Jews believed that the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was indeed the fig tree. Here Jesus is symbolizing that the fig tree will never again be the source of the downfall of mankind as it was in the days of Adam and Eve. Because He was the second Adam and HE had come to restore what disobedience had destroyed with his atoning death on the cross.

I found your comments about Jesus cursing the fig tree very interesting because it opens up the possibility of the fig tree being more than just a fig tree.

It is also interesting to ask if the withering of the fig tree is connected to Jesus' reference to the budding fig tree the very next day.

Do you think Jesus spoke about His return to the earth, often called the second coming?

.

 

[Codger]

I found your comments about Jesus cursing the fig tree very interesting because it opens up the possibility of the fig tree being more than just a fig tree.

I think that the fig tree which was designated as the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was just an ordinary first ancestor of the fig trees of Jesus' day. The thing that made this tree different was that God had spoken over it and told Adam and Eve not to eat of it as a simple test of obedience - which they failed miserably. And so the fig tree was the means by which our race fell into rebelliousness. Therefore Jesus by cursing it was saying that the fall of mankind will never happen again. It was a tremendous statement and had absolutely nothing to do with breakfast. And as you have noticed the Disciples never seemed to catch on to the things Jesus did and said.

It is also interesting to ask if the withering of the fig tree is connected to Jesus' reference to the budding fig tree the very next day.

Don't think so - Jesus was just giving a simple simile. Leaves on the trees indicate the coming of Summer
just like
When you see the things come to pass that I told you about then you know the end is near.

Do you think Jesus spoke about His return to the earth, often called the second coming?

I think He was alluding to the Physical Kingdom of God that He will set up after the second coming and the end of time.

 

[Straightshot]

"Do you think the fig tree mentioned in several places in the Gospels represents Israel, and does it have a prophetic significancefers to Israel?"


No specific significance

However, the tree is prevalent in Israel

The Lord is merely telling something that Israel knows .... that when they see the budding of the fig tree they know that summer is coming

And so He gives this analogy to say that when Israel sees all of the events taking place together in Israel during the coming time of Jacob's trouble they can know that His appearance to the nation at the end of the same is very near .... even at the door

 

[dougangel]

Do you think the fig tree mentioned in several places in the Gospels represents Israel, and does it have a prophetic significancefers to Israel?

1. Luke 13:6-9
2. Mat 21:18-22; Mark 11:12-22
3. Mat 24:32-35; Mark 13:28-31; Luke 21:29-33

lets look at luke 13: 5-9

5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent,you too will all perish.”
So the context is Repent

6 Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any.
God is watching Israel for signs of fruit and repentance. The fig tree is Israel. The vineyard is the world.

7 So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down!Why should it use up the soil?’
The man who took care of the vineyard for three years is obviously Jesus and his three year ministry.

8 “‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it.
Spiritually they are given one more year after Christ's death to repent. before the Apostles leave Israel and start going to the world.

9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’”
Numbers 32:13
The Lord’s anger burned against Israel and he made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until the whole generation of those who had done evil in his sight was gone.
Numbers 14:34
For forty years—one year for each of the forty days you explored the land—you will suffer for your sins and know what it is like to have me against you.’

Forty years cycle for punishment. In the physical realm in 70 ad. 70 ad minus 30 ad = 40 years The axeman Titus, the prince and the roman legion destroy the temple and Jerusalem kill the old and the infirm and enslave many people of Israel and cart them of into the nations. Israel ceases to be a nation and goes into darkness.

 

[Codger]

deleted

 

[Douggg]

Do you think the fig tree mentioned in several places in the Gospels represents Israel, and does it have a prophetic significancefers to Israel?

1. Luke 13:6-9
2. Mat 21:18-22; Mark 11:12-22
3. Mat 24:32-35; Mark 13:28-31; Luke 21:29-33

More specifically to Jerusalem, which Jesus cursed the fig tree as he entered Jerusalem, knowing that generation would reject him.

1967 recapture of Jerusalem + 70 years for a generation, then subtract 7 years - to determine the not later than year which the confirmation of the covenant of Daniel 9:27 must take place. Around 2030, not later than. Europe is the place to watch right now - the ramification of the Greek crisis, heavy in the news this week.

 

[Codger]

It is also important that we take notice that there was a 40 year overlap of the two covenants. During this time Israel was canvassed by Gospel preachers in order for the elect or people of God to come from the Old into the New Covenant. This 40 year period (to the very day) was from the cross on Nissan 14th 30 AD until Nissan 14th 70 AD when Titus began his siege of Jerusalem. Most of the death and destruction was accomplished by the three bands of radical terrorists who were fighting among themselves for control of the city. They were murdering anyone of the "Peace Party" who wanted to make peace with the Romans or who tried to leave the city. But God had sent the terrorists a great lie that they believed. They believed that if a war started that God would miraculously deliver them from the Romans. This was the great delusion that caused their downfall in the end because Roma came to Jerusalem with a great resolve - the destruction of most of the 12th legion under Cestius.

 

[Dave Watchman]

I think that the fig tree which was designated as the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was just an ordinary first ancestor of the fig trees of Jesus' day.

HUH?, I never heard that one before. So you're saying that it's like Jesus said:

"when you see the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you know that summer is near. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place"​

Is that like knowledge will be increased at the time of the end?

It doesn't even make any sense, we're supposed to watch for the tree of the knowledge of good and evil?

What about after Nebuchadnezzar's first run at Jerusalem? Didn't he take away the good Figs like Daniel and his friends but leave the bad figs behind?

Didn't God in Jeremiah compare the Israelites with good and bad figs?

If the Israelites are Figs wouldn't their Tree be a Fig Tree?

Jeremiah 24:

The Good Figs and the Bad Figs
Behold, two baskets of figs placed before the temple of the Lord.
One basket had very good figs, like first-ripe figs, but the other basket had very bad figs, so bad that they could not be eaten.
And the Lord said to me, “What do you see, Jeremiah?” I said,

“Figs, the good figs very good, and the bad figs very bad, so bad that they cannot be eaten.”

Then the word of the Lord came to me:

“Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel:
Like these good figs, so I will regard as good the exiles from Judah, whom I have sent away from this place to the land of the Chaldeans.

I will set my eyes on them for good, and
I will bring them back to this land.
I will build them up, and not tear them down;
I will plant them, and not pluck them up.
I will give them a heart to know that
I am the Lord, and they shall be my people and
I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart.​

And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

Then all the trees of the woods will rejoice before the Lord.
For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth


Important Notice To Readers

There's Good Figs and Bad Figs in every basket.

 

[Notrash]

I have read Adam Clarks opinion that "trees" symbolized nations. Judah/Israel was in his opinion symbolized by a fig tree and the other natiins other trees.

When they say Israel and all the trees pushing their leaves represented the nations pushing against Rome in a short period of late '60's AD in revolt of Neros reign and tactics.

I also appreciate the post that connects the fig tree with the fig leaves of Eden. I hadn't made that connection before.

Habbakkuk (ch 2 I believe) mentions the fig tree in connection with the time of judgement through rome.

 

[ken777]

lets look at luke 13: 5-9

5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent,you too will all perish.”
So the context is Repent

6 Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any.
God is watching Israel for signs of fruit and repentance. The fig tree is Israel. The vineyard is the world.

7 So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down!Why should it use up the soil?’
The man who took care of the vineyard for three years is obviously Jesus and his three year ministry.

8 “‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it.
Spiritually they are given one more year after Christ's death to repent. before the Apostles leave Israel and start going to the world.

9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’”
Numbers 32:13
The Lord’s anger burned against Israel and he made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until the whole generation of those who had done evil in his sight was gone.
Numbers 14:34
For forty years—one year for each of the forty days you explored the land—you will suffer for your sins and know what it is like to have me against you.’

Forty years cycle for punishment. In the physical realm in 70 ad. 70 ad minus 30 ad = 40 years The axeman Titus, the prince and the roman legion destroy the temple and Jerusalem kill the old and the infirm and enslave many people of Israel and cart them of into the nations. Israel ceases to be a nation and goes into darkness.

Your analysis of Luke 13: 5-9 is very interesting. Does this mean you see Israel as the budding fig tree also (Mat 24:32)?

.

 

[ken777]

I think that the fig tree which was designated as the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was just an ordinary first ancestor of the fig trees of Jesus' day. The thing that made this tree different was that God had spoken over it and told Adam and Eve not to eat of it as a simple test of obedience - which they failed miserably. And so the fig tree was the means by which our race fell into rebelliousness. Therefore Jesus by cursing it was saying that the fall of mankind will never happen again. It was a tremendous statement and had absolutely nothing to do with breakfast. And as you have noticed the Disciples never seemed to catch on to the things Jesus did and said.



Don't think so - Jesus was just giving a simple simile. Leaves on the trees indicate the coming of Summer
just like
When you see the things come to pass that I told you about then you know the end is near.



I think He was alluding to the Physical Kingdom of God that He will set up after the second coming and the end of time.

I don't see eating a fig as the original sin. I feel sure the 'tree of life' and the 'tree of knowledge of good and evil' are symbolic.

.

 

[dougangel]

Your analysis of Luke 13: 5-9 is very interesting. Does this mean you see Israel as the budding fig tree also (Mat 24:32)?

.

Ok, well Doug beat me to the draw . But I’ll go into it a little bit more detail with the scriptures.

luke 21
20 “When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. 22 For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. 23 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

70 ad again the Jews have no self-government at all now and many are dispersed into other nations. And one after the other Gentile nation controls Israel and tramples Jerusalem until 1948. Israel takes complete control of Jerusalem in 1967. The cut off fig tree has grown back from the roots and has gathered together and sprouted leaves. Israel is a nation in its own rights again.
luke 21
29 He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.
32 “Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

The generation around 1967 will not pass away until Christ comes back. Roughly a 70 or 80 year old generation.

Note: Some people say The times fulfilled are gentiles now that they have the gospel. That the time fulfilled is at the end of the Christian age. but it doesn't quite ring true because why would they be trampling on Jerusalem. It makes more sense to have a historical meaning.

luke 13
34 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings,and you were not willing.35 Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Jerusalem won't see Jesus again until they say ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. !!!!!!

 

[ken777]

Ok, well Doug beat me to the draw . But I’ll go into it a little bit more detail with the scriptures.

luke 21
20 “When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. 22 For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. 23 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

70 ad again the Jews have no self-government at all now and many are dispersed into other nations. And one after the other Gentile nation controls Israel and tramples Jerusalem until 1948. Israel takes complete control of Jerusalem in 1967. The cut off fig tree has grown back from the roots and has gathered together and sprouted leaves. Israel is a nation in its own rights again.
luke 21
29 He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.
32 “Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

The generation around 1967 will not pass away until Christ comes back. Roughly a 70 or 80 year old generation.

Note: Some people say The times fulfilled are gentiles now that they have the gospel. That the time fulfilled is at the end of the Christian age. but it doesn't quite ring true because why would they be trampling on Jerusalem. It makes more sense to have a historical meaning.

luke 13
34 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings,and you were not willing.35 Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Jerusalem won't see Jesus again until they say ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. !!!!!!

The way global events are progressing, your analysis makes a lot of sense. With Israel's enemies gaining more powerful weapons all the time, things are set to explode.

Jesus' comment "Look at the fig tree and all the trees." is interesting. Just wondering whether that is a reference to the proliferation of nations since WW11. The number of countries in the UN in 1945 was 51, today it is 193.

 

[Straightshot]

The prophetic scriptures are consistent: [Jeremiah 30; Ezekiel 38; Daniel 11:41; 12:1-7; Joel 2; 3; Micah 5:5-6; Matthew 24:15-16; Luke 21:20-36]

All future events still pending .... and close

Zechariah
14:1 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee.

14:2 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.

14:3 Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.

14:4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.

14:5 And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.

14:6 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark:

14:7 But it shall be one day which shall be known to the LORD, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light.

14:8 And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be.

14:9 And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.

14:10 All the land shall be turned as a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem: and it shall be lifted up, and inhabited in her place, from Benjamin's gate unto the place of the first gate, unto the corner gate, and from the tower of Hananeel unto the king's winepresses.

14:11 And men shall dwell in it, and there shall be no more utter destruction; but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited.

Revelation
12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

12:14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.

12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

 

[ebedmelech]

The fact is many are making the fig tree a big deal when it's NOT Jesus' point at all!!!

The point Jesus is making...is when the disciples saw the very things happening to Jerusalem, that He had just prophesied in Matthew 24...they were to understand it was about to happen. No matter how many want to deny 70 AD...IT HAPPENED in 70 AD....the prophecy is fulfilled!

Jesus was telling THE DISCIPLES what to expect. It has NOTHING to do with today...NOTHING!!!

When properly read, the Olivet Discourse shows we are in the time of Matthew 25!!! Jesus will return and it has NOTHING to do with any Jerusalem but the "JERUSALEM ABOVE"!

 

[Straightshot]

Analogy, Yes

Past fulfilled, no

The prophets all say no .... many things still pending .... simply did not happen in 70 AD

This is evident to anyone who can read