Example of the Fig Tree
13:28-31
Jesus gave a practical example for the disciples about knowing when the temple would be destroyed. We can see he is again speaking of the temple because he uses the term “these things” in verse 29 as he did in verse 4.
When you see the fig tree put out leaves, you know summer is near. We all know the signs summer is near: trees begin to bud and put out new leaves, flowers bud and bloom, and the temperature gets warmer.
So, Jesus was saying, just as you know summer is near when the fig tree puts out leaves, when you see the signs I talked about, know the time of the destruction of the temple is soon.
There are some who see the fig tree as a symbol of Israel and that the leafing out in spring is a sign that Israel is remade as a country as it was in 1947. However, there are several factors that indicate otherwise.
First is the use of the terms “these things” indicating the example is about the temple and not the return of Christ.
Second, a discussion of what would happen in 1947 would not mean anything to the disciples in the 30s A.D.
Third, Jesus said the events would happen within the lifetime of that generation. The destruction of the temple would occur in 70 A.D., some 30-40 years from the time Jesus spoke, which would fit with the theme of a generation. Christ did not return during that time period, so you would have to use a different, alternative, meaning to the term “generation”.
Fourth, Jesus said he did not know the time of his return. (13:32) Therefore, he would not predict the time of his return.
Fifth, Luke’s version of the story adds the words “and all the trees”, taking away the symbolism applied to Israel. (Luke 21:29)
Jesus did say that, whatever happens to destroy Jerusalem and the temple, his words would never pass away. His word is God’s word. “Your word, LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens” (Psalm 119:89). “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever” (Isaiah 40:8).
No One Knows When
13:32-37
The subject now changes to the return of Christ. The NIV leaves it out, but the first word of verse 32 is “but”, contrasting what follows with the preceding words on the destruction of Jerusalem.
Jesus was clear that no one but God the Father knows when Jesus will return (“that day” or “that hour”). The angels don’t know and even the Son does not know. (32) Jesus cannot tell the disciples when it will happen because he does not know.
So, do not waste your time and energy trying to figure it out. You aren’t going to figure it out.
Instead, Jesus’ disciples (including us) are to be on guard and keep awake. Since they do not know when he will return, they, and we, should always live so that we will be found faithful when he does return. That is the point of the story of the man going on a journey. His servants should be at their work while he is gone and prepared for his return. The door keeper should be ready to let him in.
This is also the point of the Parable of the Ten Virgins. (Matthew 25:1-13) Jesus ended the parable by saying: “Watch, therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour”.
What if we did know the date and time of his return? The temptation would be to wait until the day before to get our lives in order. That is not what Jesus wants from us. He wants continual watchfulness and faithfulness.
There are two other interesting concepts that come up in verse 32. First, Jesus overtly claims to be the Son of God. He referred to himself as the Son in telling the disciples he did not know the time of his return. And, in contrast, he referred to the Father as the only one who did know, so the implication is that he is indeed the Son of God.
The second concept is the limitation of Jesus’ knowledge regarding his return. Jesus created a paradox, saying he is the divine Son, yet saying his knowledge is limited compared to the Father’s. How can that be?
The answer may be in Philippians 2:6. Jesus, the Son, was equal to God, but did not grasp that equality but made himself nothing. He gave up the privileges of divinity. He took on human form with its limitations. If the Father allowed him to act in his divine nature, he did. If the Father did not allow it, as here, he obeyed. He was not alarmed at this, but rested in his trust of and obedience to the Father.
And that is how we should approach Christ’s return: trust and obedience.
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