The parable of the fig tree and trees is one of the parables of Jesus Christ contained in the Gospel of Matthew ( Matthew 24: 32-35 ), the Gospel of Mark ( Mark 13: 28-31 ) and the Gospel of Luke ( Luke 21: 29- 33 ), which tells about the kingdom of God .
Parable Text
In the Gospel of Matthew :
Take a likeness from the fig tree: when its branches are already soft and let the leaves out, then you know that summer is near; so when you see all these things, know what is near at the door. Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass away, as all these things will be; heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away.
- Matt. 24: 32-35
In the Gospel of Mark :
From the fig tree, take the likeness: when its branches become already soft and let the leaves out, then you know that summer is near. So when you see something coming true, know what is near, at the door. Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass, as all this be. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away.
- Mk. 13: 28-31
In the Gospel of Luke :
And he told them the parable: look at the fig tree and at all the trees: when they are already blossoming, then, seeing this, you yourself know that summer is already close. So, and when you see that coming true, know that the Kingdom of God is near. Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass away, as all this will be; heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away.
- Lk. 21: 29-33
Interpretations
According to the Explanatory Bible, edited by A.P. Lopukhin , the parable speaks of the Second Coming , which will be preceded by special signs. Luke describes them closely to Mark's story. [one]
The version of the parable in the Gospel of Luke differs from those described in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark: it does not contain the words "at the door" at the end of the phrase "When you see this, know that the Kingdom of God is near." This insignificant variation of the text edition often leads to significant and, in the opinion of K. Blomberg, “conclusions of the researchers inexpressive in their reliability”. Thus, C. Karston believes that "the Kingdom of God is now de-eschatologized in accordance with the general tendency of Luke to perceive the Kingdom as the content of the gospel preaching, and not as an approaching reality." [2]
Notes
- ↑ Explanatory Bible or commentary on all books of the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. A.P. Lopukhina
- ↑ Blomberg K. Interpretation of parables. - M .: BBI, 2005 .-- 380 p. - (Contemporary Biblical Studies). - ISBN 5-89647-110-6 . - S.134-135.