So you also when you shall see these things come to pass, know ye that it is very nigh, even at the doors.
ουτως και υμεις οταν ταυτα ιδητε γινομενα γινωσκετε οτι εγγυς εστιν επι θυραις
7 Church Fathers comment on this verse
The Lord states that the illustration of the fig tree offers an insightful lesson. Much like a fig tree adorned with leaves indicates that the time for harvesting is approaching, the second coming of Christ will swiftly occur after the tribulation of Antichrist. For the righteous, this event will resemble the plentiful harvest following winter, while for the wicked, it will resemble the desolation that follows a harvest season.
With such a grand and reassuring depiction of the Messiah's second coming, capable of deeply resonating with every good and devout heart, it is only natural that the disciples of Jesus would have heightened their curiosity regarding the timing of this event. “When, when will these things happen?” was likely a question shared by more than just Peter at that moment, as the dialogue suggests. The God-man responded, “The most significant occurrences in the kingdom of God, like those in the natural order, reveal themselves: we must simply be vigilant. Observe the fig tree and all other trees (Luke 21:29) and learn from their example.
When their branches become tender and begin to sprout leaves, then, witnessing this, you yourself (Luke 21:30) (without needing foretelling) can declare (without needing foretelling) that summer is coming soon. Similarly, when you witness all these things coming to pass (as I have previously stated) among the Jewish people, then understand that judgment is near (Matt. 24:33; Mk. 13:29), and the end is at hand. Indeed, it is close,” the Teacher added, elevating His voice. “I assure you, this generation will not pass away before everything unfolds, for in Jerusalem, there will not remain one stone upon another. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away…
The indications of the approaching era are evident within the occurrences themselves. Just as one can discern the proximity of summer by observing the tender branches and foliage of a fig tree, we can similarly recognize the approach of various ages through the signs evident in those occurrences. Concerning Jerusalem, the Lord has explicitly declared that this generation will not pass away until all that has been foretold regarding Jerusalem is accomplished. His words are more enduring than the heavens and the earth. However, it remains impossible to ascertain the exact day or hour of these events.
The inquiry posed by the disciples encompassed two key topics: the timing and signs related to the end of Jerusalem and the world alongside the return of Christ. Up to this moment, the Lord had addressed the latter part of their inquiry. From this point onward, He commences to clarify the timing of the foretold occurrences. He first teaches them to recognize the nearness of the end by observing the signs that would appear, much like one can tell summer is approaching when the branches of the fig tree become tender and full of leaves.
He then indicates the specific timeframe for the fulfillment of His prophecy, stating, “This generation shall not pass away, till all these things be fulfilled,” meaning that the events would indeed commence within that generation, which came to fruition when Jerusalem was destroyed forty years later, in AD 70. Furthermore, the Lord emphasizes the certainty of His prophetic word, asserting that heaven and earth would sooner perish than His words remain unfulfilled. After generally outlining the commencement of these prophecies, the Lord continues by declaring, “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” The sudden onset of this final day and hour will catch humanity by surprise, akin to how the flood unexpectedly engulfed Noah's contemporaries or how an enemy ambushes a worker, leaving one captured and another spared.
Notes: It is clear that had He stated, “I know,” but refrained from disclosing it, it might have caused them distress. However, by indicating that neither the angels nor He Himself had knowledge of it, He wisely prevents them from seeking or pestering for answers. It is evident that the Lord possesses knowledge of the final day and hour, as He created time itself. While the Son knows all as God, He adopts a posture of ignorance as a part of His humanity, for only the tangible can be distinguished from the abstract.
Do not overlook the signs I have provided regarding the imminent destruction of Jerusalem; consider the fig tree as a testament: when its branches become tender and its leaves start to sprout, you will recognize these familiar indicators as a signal that summer is approaching. In the same manner, I assure you that when you observe the events I have predicted starting to unfold, you can be certain that the time of reckoning is at hand, already upon the people of Israel. Truly, I tell you, it will soon occur that many who are alive today will witness all these calamities and experience them personally. Everything I declare will indeed transpire, for it is more likely that heaven and earth will perish than for my words to go unfulfilled.
The statements made by Jesus concerning the fig tree illustrate that everything He professed will be realized while His contemporary generation remains alive, and this will happen without fail. The Gospel authors, Matthew, Mark, and Luke, situate these declarations within their accounts where the end times are referenced, and since these remarks do not pertain to the end of the world but undoubtedly relate to the impending destruction of Jerusalem, they are appropriately placed here following the twenty-third verse of Mark’s Gospel to maintain the narrative flow.
The Savior consistently encouraged His followers to be attentive to these signs and to understand them just as they recognized the signs of impending summer by the blossoming of leaves on the fig tree.
The statement resonates with the words of Eu in the Gospel of Matthew 24:26-36, particularly highlighting, "Neither the Son": refer to the commentary on Matthew 24:36. "If He had claimed awareness but chose not to disclose it, it would have caused them distress. However, by stating that neither the angels nor Himself possess this knowledge, He demonstrates profound wisdom, effectively preventing them from being overly inquisitive or persistent. This can be illustrated with a familiar analogy. Young children, upon noticing an object in their father's hand, frequently plead for it. When fathers are unwilling to part with it, the children may react with tears. In such situations, fathers often conceal the object and exhibit empty hands, thereby calming their children.
Similarly, the Lord, treating His Apostles as children, concealed knowledge of the final day from them. However, it is clear that the Lord is aware of that day and hour, as He has created the ages. How could anything that exists be unaware of Wisdom, the Creator of the ages, the Perfecter and Judge of God's works, just as the spirit comprehends the thoughts of man (1 Cor. 2:11)? It is evident to all that the Son possesses divine knowledge yet assumes a posture of ignorance in His humanity, as the visible can indeed be separated from the intelligible.
Passages read together with this verse.
Greek text, 13 words with lemma, transliteration and Strong’s number. Tap to expand.
THEOSIS