Do you believe the signs Jesus talked about in the first century can carry over to our days?
In other words, do bad things happen in every generation, like wars and rumors of wars and false messiahs and false prophets?
Before we begin the exegesis …..
Quick definition of a parable:
Literally, the word parable (parabolē in Greek) combines para– (pronounced pah-rah) and means “alongside” and bolē (pronounced boh-lay) which means “put” or even “throw”). Therefore, a parable puts two or more images or ideas alongside each other to produce a new truth. […] The Shorter Lexicon says that the Greek word parabolē can sometimes be translated as “symbol,” “type,” “figure,” and “illustration,” the latter term being virtually synonymous with parable.
For more information on what a parable is and its purposes, click on this link:
The translation is mine. If you would like to see other translations, click here:
If you don’t read Greek, ignore the left column.
Now let’s begin.
|
Parable of the Fig Tree and Other Trees (Luke 21:29-31) |
|
| 29 Καὶ εἶπεν παραβολὴν αὐτοῖς· ἴδετε τὴν συκῆν καὶ πάντα τὰ δένδρα·
30 ὅταν προβάλωσιν ἤδη, βλέποντες ἀφ’ ἑαυτῶν γινώσκετε ὅτι ἤδη ἐγγὺς τὸ θέρος ἐστίν· 31 οὕτως καὶ ὑμεῖς, ὅταν ἴδητε ταῦτα γινόμενα, γινώσκετε ὅτι ἐγγύς ἐστιν ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ θεοῦ. 32 ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι οὐ μὴ παρέλθῃ ἡ γενεὰ αὕτη ἕως ἂν πάντα γένηται. 33 ὁ οὐρανὸς καὶ ἡ γῆ παρελεύσονται, οἱ δὲ λόγοι μου οὐ μὴ παρελεύσονται. |
29 Further, he spoke an illustration to them: “Look at the fig and all the trees. 30 When they have already grown leaves, you see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. 31 Likewise, you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 I tell you the truth: This generation will not pass away until all these things take place. |
I chose Luke’s version because it is the fullest.
Here is Matthew’s version:
Matthew 24 (scroll down to vv. 32-33)
Mark’s:
Mark 13 (scroll down to vv. 28-29)
Now let’s look at this short passage, verse by verse.
29-30:
“fig tree”: some interpreters point out that Israel is likened to a fig tree (Jer. 8:13; Jer. 24; Mic. 7:1), but here it is all trees. Jesus is making another point. It’s just a simple sign to read: trees sprouting leaves. Now you know that summer is near. I see no reason to make a big TV production about sign watching. Just before Jerusalem was sacked, clear things happened, like the Roman armies surrounding it.
31-32:
“I tell you the truth”: “truth” comes from the word amēn (pronounced ah-main and comes into English as amen). It expresses the authority of the one who utters it. The Hebrew root ’mn means faithfulness, reliability and certainty. It could be translated as “truly I tell you” or I tell you with certainty.” Jesus’s faith in his own words is remarkable and points to his unique calling. In the OT and later Jewish writings is indicates a solemn pronouncement. It means we must pay attention to it, for it is authoritative. He is about to declare an important and solemn message or statement. The clause appears only on the lips of Jesus.
“These things”: what he had just described. We don’t need a sign-watching industry on Christian TV. Someone sneezes in Israel, and Bible prophecy teachers pull out their charts faster than a gun slinger. A book was published a few years back, which talked about four blood moons. The author, a famous Bible prophecy teacher, said that the moon looked like blood (Joel 2:31). I can’t categorically deny that this is some sort of precursor to the Second Coming, but I prefer to interpret apocalyptic language in its own context. It is not to be interpreted literally. However, if the sun and moon really are replaced with the new Jerusalem (the people of God) coming to earth, and God is the light, then so be it. But I don’t think the four blood moons of the book fit the signs, however.
Cosmic Disasters = Apocalyptic Imagery for Judgment and Major Change
We shall see.
“the kingdom of God is near”: Jesus was ushering in the kingdom throughout his ministry, but in this context the kingdom will be fully and powerfully and gloriously manifested at his Second Coming. Alternatively, when Jesus ascends and comes in judgment on Jerusalem, his kingdom will be manifested to a certain powerful degree. It recalls all the apocalyptic language both in the OT and in the synoptic parallels. They speak of a powerful revelation of God’s power in judgment, which Jesus equates with the kingdom of God. Maybe this is another form of the already and not yet, form our point of view today.
In this context, the kingdom is the coming one.
Bible Basics about the Kingdom of God
Questions and Answers about Kingdom of God
Basic Definition of Kingdom of God
1 Introducing the Kingdom of God (begin a ten-part series)
“this generation shall not pass away until these things happen”:
How do we interpret this verse?
The phrase “this generation” is used fifteen times in the synoptic Gospels (including this verse). In every case, the phrase is used exclusively of Jesus’ generation while he lived. It does not refer to our generation, 2000 years later. And the word “generation” in the synoptics is very often used of his generation (except, for example, in genealogies). If “generation” were to be translated as “race,” as some propose, then Jesus was declaring something vapid. Of course Jews would not pass away at the time he spoke. Instead, his prediction is about the timing, so “generation” is the right translation, as it is in nearly all other verses where the noun genea appears.
Now, what are “all these things”? Everything that Jesus had predicted up to that verse. Luke 21:20-24 even says that armies will surround Jerusalem. This happened in A.D. 70, when the Roman armies sacked the city and destroyed the temple. The Roman pagans stomped all over the sacred place. committing the abomination of desolation. Those three synoptic verses are capstones about the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem. Jesus’s prediction came true–this (or his) generation, though he died young.
So, that one verse seems stubborn only to those who insist that most or all of the verses before the one verse are about our times–the original audience’s distant future. No, the “things” are about the destruction of the temple in AD 70.
Please see this post:
Matt 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 (and 17) in Parallel Columns Are Finally Clear
Scroll down to unit 18. Jesus’s prediction was perfectly accurate. His generation really did see the coming in judgment on Jerusalem and the temple.
Luke 21:5-33 Predicts Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
Also see this link:
What Jesus Really Taught about End Times
GrowApp for Luke 21:29-32
A. The fig tree and other trees leafing teach us to watch for the signs, but the signs are clear. Moral degradation is a sign, though it can be vague. Do you see signs of moral degradation? Name a few.
SOURCES
At this link you will find the bibliography at the very bottom.
Dr. Jim's Essential Bible Teaching 