Luke 21:29

¶ And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;

And {G2532} he spake {G2036} to them {G846} a parable {G3850}; Behold {G1492} the fig tree {G4808}, and {G2532} all {G3956} the trees {G1186};

Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, Indeed, all the trees.

Then Jesus told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees.

And he spake to them a parable: Behold the fig tree, and all the trees:

Commentary

Luke 21:29 introduces a concise parable spoken by Jesus to His disciples, serving as a crucial illustration within His larger discourse on the signs preceding His second coming and the end of the age. This verse sets the stage for understanding how to interpret the prophetic events He has just described.

Context

This verse is part of what is commonly known as the Olivet Discourse, delivered by Jesus on the Mount of Olives. In the preceding verses of Luke 21, Jesus has spoken of the destruction of the Temple, the persecution of believers, cosmic disturbances, and the coming of the Son of Man with power and great glory. The parable of the fig tree and all the trees is given to help His listeners understand the timing and immediacy of these events, much like observing natural seasonal changes.

Key Themes

  • Discernment of Signs: The primary message is the ability to discern the "signs of the times." Just as one can tell summer is near by observing the fig tree budding, so too should believers recognize the approach of God's kingdom and Christ's return by observing the prophetic signs.
  • Readiness and Watchfulness: The parable implicitly calls for a state of spiritual readiness and watchfulness. Understanding the signs is not merely for intellectual exercise but for preparing one's heart and life.
  • Natural Analogy for Spiritual Truths: Jesus frequently used natural phenomena to explain profound spiritual realities. The dependable cycle of seasons serves as a simple, relatable metaphor for the reliability of God's prophetic timetable.

Linguistic Insights

The term "parable" (Greek: parabolē) signifies a narrative or comparison drawn from everyday life to illustrate a spiritual truth. In this instance, the comparison is direct: observing the budding of a fig tree (and other trees) to discern the approach of summer. The simplicity of the analogy makes the spiritual lesson clear and accessible.

Reflection and Application

The parable of the fig tree in Luke 21:29 encourages believers today to be observant and spiritually alert. It teaches us that just as there are undeniable natural indicators of changing seasons, there are also clear spiritual and global indicators of God's unfolding plan and the nearness of Christ's second coming. This calls for more than just intellectual awareness; it demands active preparation, living in light of eternity, and sharing the hope of the Gospel. It reminds us to not be caught unaware but to live with hopeful anticipation, recognizing the "spiritual spring" that precedes the ultimate summer of God's kingdom.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 24:32

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

  • Matthew 24:35

    Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

  • Mark 13:28

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

  • Mark 13:30

    Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.
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