Parable of the Fig Tree

Matthew 24:32-35
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: 33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. 34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. 35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
KJV

Matthew 24:32-35 presents a parable that has created many interpretations among scholars. What does the fig tree symbolize?

The broader setting of the discourse should be considered to better understand "generation". The flow of Matthew's Gospel follows a very specific path. Jesus continually offers Himself to the nation of Israel as its Messiah. The nation continually rejects Him, with obvious, mounting, tension arising between Jesus and the religious leaders. The conflict probably climaxes with Christ's questions to the disciples found at 16:13 and 16:15. The questions go to the true identity of Jesus. "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am" (16:13).

While there will be continued interaction between Jesus and the religious leaders following these questions, the break with Israel has occurred. Jesus will now turn to the Gentiles and the formation of the Church. Following His entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, Jesus continues to discourse with the religious leaders, mostly in the form of parables. At 21:33, Jesus tells us the parable of the vineyard owner and the evil servants. At 21:43, Christ climaxes that parable by saying: "Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it."

The kingdom of God has been taken away from the nation of Israel and given to a "new nation," the Church, the Body of Christ. This being true, the "generation" of verse 34 cannot be the generation of those listening to the discourse. The keys of the kingdom had been removed from Israel and the Church has not yet been formed to receive the kingdom. The first-century nation of Israel received the judgment of God. Accordingly, the context of the discourse of chapter 24 points to the generation being something other than those alive at that time. The "generation" looks to the future.

This conclusion also, indirectly, at least, points to "generation" not specifically meaning Israel as a race or nation. Those who see the "generation" as referring to Israel will interpret the fig tree symbolically. In this view, the "signs" of the parable are the "budding of Israel." Following Malachi, God was silent and Israel lay dormant. The nation operated with no true government of its own. Following the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD and the ensuing persecution, the nation also had no land, no temple, and no priesthood. In other words, there has been no sign of national life for approximately 1900 years. Persecution scattered the individual Jews throughout the world. Then, almost suddenly, in 1948, Israel became a nation again. It has possessed its own land, and operated its own government, currency, stamps, and the like. While the nation remains spiritually barren, the national "rebirth" is seen as the budding of the fig tree.

If Israel's "budding" is the sign of the fig tree, one must then still describe how this fits into the issue of "generation." Leaving it open ended does not help define the prophecy. Presumably, "generation" means those alive at the budding of the nation.

Records 4 to 4 of 7