σῦκον (sukon)
sukon
fig
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun sukon refers simply to a fig, specifically the ripe fruit of the fig tree. In the New Testament, it appears in only four verses, primarily within the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The word is used literally to describe the physical object that Jesus and his followers encounter during their travels through Judea.
Its most notable appearance occurs in Mark 11:13, where Jesus approaches a fig tree looking for fruit but finds only leaves. This incident highlights the seasonal expectation of ripe figs at that time of year, serving as a tangible illustration of spiritual barrenness. The word itself is straightforward, denoting the edible fruit without additional metaphorical complexity in these texts.
Etymologically, sukon appears to be a primary Greek word with no obvious compound structure. It corresponds to the Hebrew term te’en used in the Septuagint for the same fruit. Translators consistently render it as "fig," preserving the concrete reality of the object rather than abstracting its meaning. The simplicity of the word underscores the directness of the biblical imagery.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When Jesus walked through Judea, He encountered the simple, everyday reality of the fig tree. In Mark 11:13, He looked for fruit on a leafy tree and found none. This moment was not just about agriculture; it showed how outward appearance does not always match inner life. The word σῦκον (sukon) reminds us that genuine faith produces visible results in how we live.
Jesus used this familiar image to teach a clear lesson: true character is revealed by what we produce. In Matthew 7:16 and Luke 6:44, He compared people to trees, saying you can tell their nature by the fruit they bear. Just as thorns do not yield figs, a heart far from God struggles to show His love. This is an invitation to examine our own lives with honesty.
We are not asked to perform perfectly, but to stay connected to the source of life. James 3:12 asks if a fig tree can produce olives, highlighting that our actions should flow naturally from who we are in Christ. May your days be marked by kindness and truth, showing others the quiet beauty of a life rooted in grace.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- figs?2×
- of figs.1×
- figs1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- σῦκα;2×
- σῦκα1×
- σύκων.1×
Key Verses
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Mark 11:13
Seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came to see if perhaps he might find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs.
This verse establishes the context of Jesus seeking fruit from a tree that only had leaves, illustrating the danger of empty religious appearance.
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Matthew 7:16
By their fruits you will know them. Do you gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles?
Here Jesus uses the fig as a standard example of good fruit to help listeners recognize true prophets by their deeds.
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James 3:12
Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh water.
James employs the fig tree to argue that a believer's speech and actions must be consistent with their new nature in Christ.