"PARABLE OF THE FIG TREE"

Matthew 24:32-41 - make a couple of observations -

Mark 13:28 -37 - make a couple of observations -

Luke 21:29-38 - make a couple of observations -

Proposition - As we look to God’s Word this morning we are going to learn about 1) the presentation of the parable, 2) the explanation of the parable, and 3) the ramifications of the parable.

Interrogative question - Are you ready to meet Jesus?

The Presentation of the Parable - vs. 32-33

Matthew 24:32–33 NASB95

32 “Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; 33 so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door.

What is a parable?

What do you know about trees?

What does it mean when the branches become tender?

The Explanation of the Parable - vs. 34-39

Matthew 24:34–39 NASB95

34 “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 35 “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. 36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. 37 “For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. 38 “For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be.

What does it mean by “this generation?”

Lk 21:32 generation will certainly not pass away: This is a difficult verse. It means one of two things. In the Bible, generation can refer to a kind of people, such as the “evil generation.” This is known as an ethical force for the term. So Jesus may well be saying that this evil generation will not pass away until this all takes place, since the passage highlights judgment (vv. 34–35). Be assured judgment will come. Or the text may mean that once the events of the very end start, it will all take place within a generation. Lemke, S. W. (2007). The Academic Use of Gospel Harmonies. In Holman Christian Standard Bible: Harmony of the Gospels (p. 175). Holman Bible Publishers.

24:34 this generation. This cannot refer to the generation living at that time of Christ, for “all these things”—the abomination of desolation (v. 15), the persecutions and judgments (vv. 17–22), the false prophets (vv. 23–26), the signs in the heavens (vv. 27–29), Christ’s final return (v. 30), and the gathering of the elect (v. 31)—did not “take place” in their lifetime. It seems best to interpret Christ’s words as a reference to the generation alive at the time when those final hard labor pains begin (see note on v. 14). This would fit with the lesson of the fig tree, which stresses the short span of time in which these things will occur (see note on v. 32). MacArthur, J., Jr., ed. (1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed., p. 1440). Word Pub.

What things is Jesus talking about?

Why does Jesus say no one knows and refers to angels, and the Son?

In response to the disciples asking, “when will these things be?” (v. 3), Jesus says no one knows, not even … the Son, but the Father only. In his incarnate life, Jesus learned things as other human beings learn them (cf. Luke 2:52; Heb. 5:8). On the other hand, Jesus was also fully God, and, as God, he had infinite knowledge (cf. John 2:25; 16:30; 21:17). Here he is apparently speaking in terms of his human nature. This is similar to other statements about Jesus which could be true of his human nature only, and not of his divine nature (he grew and became strong, Luke 2:40; increased in stature, Luke 2:52; was about 30 years old, Luke 3:23; was weary, John 4:6; was thirsty, John 19:28; was hungry, Matt. 4:2; was crucified, 1 Cor. 2:8). Taking account of these verses, together with many verses that affirm Christ’s deity, the Council of Chalcedon in A.D. 451 affirmed that Christ was “perfect in Godhead and also perfect in manhood; truly God and truly man Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (p. 1875). Crossway Bibles.

Yet it also affirmed that Jesus was “one Person and one Subsistence.” With regard to the properties of his human nature and his divine nature, the Chalcedonian Creed affirmed that Christ was to be “acknowledged in two natures, inconfusedly, unchangeably, indivisibly, inseparably; the distinction of natures being by no means taken away by the union, but rather the property of each nature being preserved.” That meant the properties of deity and the properties of humanity were both preserved. How Jesus could have limited knowledge and yet know all things is difficult, and much remains a mystery, for nobody else has ever been both God and man. One possibility is that Jesus regularly lived on the basis of his human knowledge but could at any time call to mind anything from his infinite knowledge. Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (p. 1875). Crossway Bibles.

What do you recall about the flood?

The Ramifications of the Parable - vs. 40-41

Matthew 24:40–41 NASB95

40 “Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. 41 “Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left.

Which person are you?

How do you know which person you are?

Can you be sure of your destiny? Why or why not?

SO WHAT??

ARE YOU READY TO MEET JESUS??

Christ’s emphasis instead is on faithfulness, watchfulness, stewardship, expectancy, and preparedness. These are the lessons He taught in the parables that immediately follow. MacArthur, J., Jr., ed. (1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed., p. 1440). Word Pub.