The Only Imperative Parable (Fig Tree, i.e. Israel)
Matthew 24:32-35 in the NIV
32 “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. 33 Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. 34 I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. Cf. also Mark 13:28-31 and Luke 21:2-31.
Understanding: Have you ever wondered why “The Parable of the Fig Tree” is seldom, if ever, preached or taught?
Deep Digging into this parable reveals at least the following related issues.
- Not one of the other 38 parables are commanded to be learned, but the parable of the fig tree is twice commanded (Mt. 24:32 and Mark 13:28). So…, maybe many of us do not like to be commanded. And all the other parables are “optional,” and therefore not objectionable.
- Jesus reference to a “fig tree” is about the nation of Israel. And many denominations have “replaced” Israel’s promises by assigning them to the church. This is called Replacement Theology or Supersessionism. There may even be a bit of Anti-Semitism here.
- A look at Jeremiah chapter 24, excerpted below, shows that Jesus was referencing Israel as the Fig Tree of His parable.
24 After Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim king of Judah and the officials, the craftsmen and the artisans of Judah were carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the Lord showed me two baskets of figs placed in front of the temple of the Lord. 2 One basket had very good figs, like those that ripen early; the other basket had very poor figs, so bad they could not be eaten.
3 Then the Lord asked me, “What do you see, Jeremiah?” “Figs,” I answered. “The good ones are very good, but the poor ones are so bad they cannot be eaten.”
4 Then the word of the Lord came to me: 5 “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Like these good figs, I regard as good the exiles from Judah, whom I sent away from this place to the land of the Babylonians.
8 “‘But like the poor figs, which are so bad they cannot be eaten,’ says the Lord, ‘so will I deal with Zedekiah king of Judah, his officials and the survivors from Jerusalem, whether they remain in this land or live in Egypt.
NIV (Other fig related verses include Hosea 2:12, 9:10; Joel 1:7, Micah 4:4 and Zechariah 3:10.) But these are all from the Old Testament and most churches do not spend much time in the Old Testament. And these references are not absolute—thus lending themselves to being questioned a bit.
- In verse 36…, following the Parable of the Fig Tree we read, “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. (NIV) This verse has allowed many folks to dismiss the parable because no one knows the day or the hour anyway. But in verse 33 He said that we would know when it (He) is at the very door. This apparent contradiction can be explained. “Day or hour” was a reference to when the Jewish new year would begin. Jews knew they were eleven months and 29 days from when a year had begun but did not know whether the New Moon would appear before or after midnight. Thus they did not know the day or the hour, but they knew it was so very close. Just like Jesus being at the very door, in our time after being gone for almost 2,000 years.
- Verse 37 reads: “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. (NIV) Here again we are open to controversy. Is the world getting to be a better place? Or, is it going downhill fast, i.e., soon to be like it was in the days of Noah—filled with violence and wickedness. Many Amillennialists see the world getting better as the church gets the world ready for Jesus to show up and take over. Many Premillennialists see the world going downhill fast and due for The Great Tribulation of the book of Revelation. So again we have controversy that is often avoided in congregations seeking church growth—so as not to risk upsetting new believers. But if the Rapture (I Thessalonians 4:17) is to occur before the Tribulation, then new believers should be encouraged (verse 18) in regard to that “Blessed Hope.” Did not Paul tell new believers about the Rapture?
- Verses 40-41 read: “Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. (NIV) These thoughts can easily produce tension in families, especially between spouses. What if one is ready and one is not?
- Verse 42 reads: “”Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. (NIV) This could, and probably should, be seen as a “full time job.” Not many Christians are that committed. We do seem to be living in a lukewarm era. So, this verse also makes the parable unpopular.
Reasoned conclusion: The Parable of the Fig Tree is usually avoided because it involves serious, debatable and time-consuming interpretation. Moreover, Israel is controversial today, even as Zechariah (12:2 ff.) states that God will make Jerusalem a cup that sends…peoples reeling. Rather than risk making listeners “reel,” many pulpiteers just avoid the Fig Tree and its related time-consuming study.
But how will we answer on judgment/reward day? It seems to me that every congregation (“fellowship”) should address the Parable of the Fig Tree at least once a year.