The Parable of the Fig Tree
29 Then he [Jesus] told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees.
29 Then he [Jesus] told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees.
30 As soon as they put out leaves you can see for yourselves and recognize that summer is already near.
31 In the same way, when you see these things happening, recognize that the kingdom of God is near.
32 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all things take place.
33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
The Need for Watchfulness
34 “Be on your guard, so that your minds are not dulled from carousing, drunkenness, and worries of life, or that day will come on you unexpectedly
34 “Be on your guard, so that your minds are not dulled from carousing, drunkenness, and worries of life, or that day will come on you unexpectedly
35 like a trap. For it will come on all who live on the face of the whole earth.
36 But be alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place and to stand before the Son of Man.”
37 During the day, he was teaching in the temple, but in the evening he would go out and spend the night on what is called the Mount of Olives.
37 During the day, he was teaching in the temple, but in the evening he would go out and spend the night on what is called the Mount of Olives.
38 Then all the people would come early in the morning to hear him in the temple.
Commentary
(the following is from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary, 1706 -- www.christianity.com)
"Christ tells his disciples to observe the signs of the times, which they might judge by. He charges them to look upon the ruin of the Jewish nation as near. Yet this race and family of Abraham shall not be rooted out; it shall survive as a nation, and be found as prophesied, when the Son of Man shall be revealed.
He cautions them against being secure and sensual. This command is given to all Christ's disciples, Take heed to yourselves, that ye be not overpowered by temptations, nor betrayed by your own corruptions. We cannot be safe, if we are carnally secure. Our danger is, lest the day of death and of judgment should come upon us when we are not prepared. Lest, when we are called to meet our Lord, that be the furthest from our thoughts, which ought to be nearest our hearts. For so it will come upon the most of men, who dwell upon the earth, and mind earthly things only, and have no converse with heaven. It will be a terror and a destruction to them.
Here see what should be our aim, that we may be accounted worthy to escape all those things; that when the judgements of God are abroad, we may not be in the common calamity, or it may not be that to us which it is to others. Do you ask how you may be found worthy to stand before Christ at that day? Those who never yet sought Christ, let them now go unto him; those who never yet were humbled for their sins, let them now begin; those who have already begun, let them go forward and be kept humbled.
Watch therefore, and pray always. Watch against sin; watch in every duty, and make the most of every opportunity to do good. Pray always: those shall be accounted worthy to live a life of praise in the other world, who live a life of prayer in this world. May we begin, employ, and conclude each day attending to Christ's word, obeying his precepts, and following his example, that whenever he comes we may be found watching."
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