Mark 13:28

“Now from the fig tree, learn this parable. When the branch has now become tender, and produces its leaves, you know that the summer is near;

World English Bible
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Other translations

WEBBE

“Now from the fig tree, learn this parable. When the branch has now become tender and produces its leaves, you know that the summer is near;

BSB

Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its branches become tender and sprout leaves, you know that summer is near.

KJV

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

ASV

Now from the fig tree learn her parable: when her branch is now become tender, and putteth forth its leaves, ye know that the summer is nigh;

BBE

Take an example from the fig-tree: when its branches become soft and put out their leaves, you see that the summer is near;

Original Greek

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ἀπὸ apo Of G575 δὲ de now G1161 τῆς tēs the G3588 συκῆς sukēs fig tree G4808 μάθετε mathete do learn G3129 τὴν tēn the G3588 παραβολήν parabolēn parable G3850 ὅταν hotan When G3752 ἤδη ēdē already G2235 ὁ ho the G3588 κλάδος klados branch G2798 αὐτῆς autēs of it G846 ἁπαλὸς hapalos tender G527 γένηται genētai may become G1096 καὶ kai and G2532 ἐκφύῃ ekphuē may it put forth G1631 τὰ ta the G3588 φύλλα phulla leaves G5444 γινώσκετε ginōskete you know G1097 ὅτι hoti that G3754 ἐγγὺς engus near G1451 τὸ to the G3588 θέρος theros summer G2330 ἐστίν estin is G1510

The early church

(ubi sup.) Under the example of a tree the Lord gave a pattern of the end, saying, Now learn a parable of the fig tree, when her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near. So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors. (ubi sup.) This fruitbearing of the fig tree may also be understood to mean the state of the synagogue, which was condemned to everlasting barrenness, because when the Lord came, it had no fruits of righteousness in those who were then unfaithful. (Rom. 11:25) But the Apostle has said, that when the fulness of the Gentiles is come in, all Israel shall be saved. What means this, but that the tree, which has been long barren, shall then yield the fruit, which it had withheld? When this shall happen, doubt not that a summer of true peace is at hand.
Bede · d. 735Catena Aurea (Aquinas, 1274)
As if He had said, As when the fig tree puts forth its leaves, summer follows at once, so also after the woes of Antichrist, at once, without an interval, shall be the coming of Christ, who will be to the just as summer after winter, but to sinners, winter after summer.
Theophylact of Ohrid · d. 1107Catena Aurea (Aquinas, 1274)
Or else, the leaves which come forth are words now spoken, the summer at hand is the day of Judgment, in which every tree shall show what it had within it, deadness for burning, or greenness to be planted with the tree of life. There follows: Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till these things be done.
Pseudo-Jerome · d. 9999Catena Aurea (Aquinas, 1274)

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 28–37

We have the application of this prophetic sermon. As to the destruction of Jerusalem, expect it to come very shortly. As to the end of the world, do not inquire when it will come, for of that day and that hour knoweth no man. Christ, as God, could not be ignorant of anything; but the Divine wisdom which dwelt in our Saviour, communicated itself to his human soul according to the Divine pleasure. As to both, our duty is to watch and pray. Our Lord Jesus, when he ascended on high, left something for all his servants to do. We ought to be always upon our watch, in expectation of his return. This applies to Christ's coming to us at our death, as well as to the general judgment. We know not whether our Master will come in the days of youth, or middle age, or old age; but, as soon as we are born, we begin to die, and therefore we must expect death. Our great care must be, that, whenever our Lord comes, he may not find us secure, indulging in ease and sloth, mindless of our work and duty. He says to all, Watch, that you may be found in peace, without spot, and blameless.

Read Matthew Henry on Mark 13 →

Parallel passages

2

The same words or events elsewhere.

Matthew 24:32Luke 21:29–30

Cross-references

2

Topics

Jesus, The ChristSummer

Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.