Luke 21:29-33 · Bible study
Luke 21:29-33 Commentary: Fig Tree and All Trees Parable
Greek · 9 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Study of Luke's parable about reading the signs of the times.
Research Summary
- Meaning: The budding of fig trees and all trees signals summer's approach; so observable events signal that God's kingdom is near. Christ's words are more certain than creation.
- Key words: parable (παραβολή), generation (γενεά), words (λόγοι).
- Main debate: The meaning of 'this generation', the contemporary first-century generation, the Jewish people as a whole, or the generation that sees the end-times signs.
- Theological theme: The certainty of God's coming kingdom and the reliability of Jesus' promises, calling believers to discernment and confidence.
- Best use: A teaching on prophetic interpretation and patient watchfulness, rooted in the trustworthiness of Christ rather than date-setting.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
29Then Jesus told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees.
30When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near.
31So also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near.
32Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have happened.
33Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.
WEB World English Bible 2000
29He told them a parable. “See the fig tree and all the trees.
30When they are already budding, you see it and know by your own selves that the summer is already near.
31Even so you also, when you see these things happening, know that God’s Kingdom is near.
32Most certainly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things are accomplished.
33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away.
KJV King James Version 1769
29And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;
30When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.
31So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.
32Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.
33Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
29And he spake to them a parable: Behold the fig tree, and all the trees:
30when they now shoot forth, ye see it and know of your own selves that the summer is now nigh.
31Even so ye also, when ye see these things coming to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh.
32Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all things be accomplished.
33Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
29And he spake a simile to them: `See the fig-tree, and all the trees,
30when they may now cast forth, having seen, of yourselves ye know that now is the summer nigh;
31so also ye, when ye may see these things happening, ye know that near is the reign of God;
32verily I say to you--This generation may not pass away till all may have come to pass;
33the heaven and the earth shall pass away, but my words may not pass away.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
29And he spoke a parable to them: Behold the fig-tree and all the trees;
30when they already sprout, ye know of your own selves, [on] looking [at them], that already the summer is near.
31So also ye, when ye see these things take place, know that the kingdom of God is near.
32Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall in no wise pass away until all come to pass.
33The heaven and the earth shall pass away, but my words shall in no wise pass away.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
29And he spoke to them a similitude. See the fig tree and all the trees:
30When they now shoot forth their fruit, you know that summer is nigh;
31So you also, when you shall see these things come to pass, know that the kingdom of God is at hand.
32Amen, I say to you, this generation shall not pass away till all things be fulfilled.
33Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · Luke 21:29
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that the fig tree parable teaches a simple lesson about reading the signs of the times. As trees budding signal summer, so certain events signal the nearness of God's kingdom. Luke's addition of 'and all the trees' (v.29) widens the illustration beyond Israel's national symbol. The Cambridge Bible notes this detail is unique to Luke, likely because his Gentile audience would not share a Jewish reader's special associations with the fig tree. Vincent's Word Studies points out that the Greek word for 'see' (βλέποντες) implies careful, ongoing observation. Wesley adds that Jesus spoke in spring, when trees on the Mount of Olives were visibly budding. On verse 32, 'this generation,' interpreters diverge: some (Clarke, Wesley) take it as the contemporary generation that saw Jerusalem's fall; others (Cambridge) see a double meaning, referring also to the Jewish race that persists until the end. Verse 33's promise, heaven and earth passing away but Christ's words enduring, draws on Isaiah 40:8 and is universally read as the bedrock certainty of the entire discourse.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Preterist (contemporary generation): Jesus was speaking to his disciples about events they would see: the destruction of Jerusalem within forty years (AD 70). 'All these things' refer to the fall of the temple and the Jewish state.
- Historicist (Jewish race): Genea can mean 'race' or 'family line.' The Jewish people will not disappear until the end of the age. Supports the idea of national Israel's preservation.
- Futurist (end-times generation): The generation that sees the beginnings of the tribulation (the budding of the tree) will not die before Christ returns. Applied to believers alive when the final signs appear.
- Spiritual (generation of believers): The 'generation' refers to the community of faith, the church, which will endure until all God's purposes are accomplished. Emphasizes continuity of God's people.
What is clear: The parable teaches that discernible signs precede the coming of God's kingdom, and Christ's words are more permanent than the created universe.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning of 'this generation' (γενεά αὕτη) | Jesus makes a solemn promise that some group will not 'pass away' until all predicted events are accomplished. The Greek double negative (οὐ μή) with the aorist subjunctive emphasizes absolute certainty. | Interpreters differ on the group: (a) the contemporary generation of Jesus' day, who saw Jerusalem's fall in AD 70 (Clarke, Wesley); (b) the Jewish people as a race, persisting through history until the end (Cambridge); (c) the generation of believers who see the end-time signs (a futurist reading). |
| Timing of the kingdom's nearness | The 'kingdom of God is near' (ἐγγύς) indicates imminence, not an exact date. The parable teaches discernment of seasons, not calculation of days. | Some see the nearness referring primarily to the establishment of the church after Jerusalem's destruction (Clarke). Others see it as the final eschatological coming (Matthew Henry). A third view holds both: near in the sense of certain and approaching, with fulfillments in AD 70 and still future. |
| Scope of 'all these things' (πάντα ταῦτα) | The phrase points back to the events Jesus has been describing: the destruction of Jerusalem and the cosmic signs. | Some limit 'all these things' to the events of AD 70 (preterist). Others include the final tribulation and coming of the Son of Man (futurist). The parallel in Matthew 24:34 uses the same phrase, which Luke likely adapts to his discourse. |
| Purpose of the parable | The parable teaches that followers of Jesus should be alert and discerning, able to read the signs of God's working in history. | Some emphasize comfort: the nearness of the kingdom brings hope in persecution. Others emphasize warning: the need to avoid being caught off guard. Both are present in the surrounding context (vv.28, 34-36). |
Historical & Cultural Context
Jesus spoke these words on the Mount of Olives, during what is often called the Olivet Discourse. He had just predicted the destruction of the temple (Luke 21:5-6), and the disciples asked when these things would happen and what sign would precede them. The parable of the fig tree and all the trees is part of his answer, teaching them to discern the times. Luke's Gospel was likely written for a primarily Gentile audience, which explains his unique addition of 'all the trees.' A Jewish reader would immediately think of the fig tree as a symbol for Israel (Hosea 9:10; Joel 1:7), but Luke broadens the image: the signs of coming judgment are not limited to one nation. Wesley notes that Jesus spoke in early spring, around Passover, when trees on the Mount of Olives were just beginning to bud, a vivid object lesson within sight of his listeners. The phrase 'kingdom of God is near' echoes the preaching of John the Baptist and Jesus himself (Matthew 3:2; 4:17). In this context, some see it as the establishment of the church after Jerusalem's fall (Clarke), while others see the final consummation (Poole, cited in background). The cultural setting of a farming society made the analogy of summer approaching through budding trees instantly understandable. The point was not to calculate dates but to recognize a pattern: God's judgment and salvation follow a sequence that careful observers can perceive.
Textual Notes
The supplied sources note no significant textual variants for Luke 21:29-33. All major Greek manuscripts render the passage consistently. The only minor variation appears in verse 30, where some manuscripts omit 'of yourselves' (ἀφ’ ἑαυτῶν), but this does not affect the meaning. The double negative in verse 33 (οὐ μή) is stable across witnesses, supporting the strong emphasis on the permanence of Christ's words.
Reception History
Throughout church history, this passage has been a key text for eschatological hope. Early Christian writers like Irenaeus and Hippolytus used the fig tree parable to argue that the end would come after a recognizable sequence of events. During the Reformation, the verse 'heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not' was often cited to affirm Scripture's authority against claims that the church could supersede Christ's teachings. In the modern period, the interpretation of 'this generation' has divided preterists (who see fulfillment in AD 70) from futurists (who expect a future fulfillment). The addition of 'all the trees' in Luke has also been appreciated as a signal that the gospel message is for all peoples, not only Israel. Sermons on this text typically stress watchfulness, confidence in God's promises, and the call to live in light of the coming kingdom.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Read the signs of the season (vv.29-30). Just as budding trees announce summer, observable events announce God's kingdom. Luke's addition of 'all the trees' reminds us that signs are not limited to one people or place.
- Respond with confident knowledge (v.31). The present imperative 'know' (γινώσκετε) commands ongoing recognition: keep your eyes open, stay aware that God's kingdom is near.
- Rest in the certainty of Christ's words (vv.32-33). Heaven and earth are temporary; Jesus' words are permanent. The 'generation' debate should not distract from the main point: what God has said will happen.
Five-point outline
- Look at the tree, and all the trees (v.29). Pay attention to the world around you; God speaks through events.
- Notice what is already happening (v.30). The signs are not obscure; they are as obvious as leaves on a tree.
- Connect the dots to the kingdom (v.31). Current events point to God's reign drawing near.
- Tune out the skeptics (v.32). Jesus' promise will stand, even if some say 'when will this happen?'
- Build your life on what lasts (v.33). Everything else fails, but Christ's words never fail.
Illustration hooks
- A gardener who checks for the first buds each spring knows what is coming. Christians can develop similar discernment about spiritual seasons.
- Weather forecasts: we trust a forecast even when the signs seem small. Jesus says the signs of his return are just as reliable.
- A parent teaching a child to recognize that dark clouds mean rain. Jesus trains us to read the clouds of history.
Questions your congregation is asking
- How can I tell if current events are 'signs' or just normal history?
- What does 'this generation' really mean? Is it about my generation?
- If the kingdom is 'near,' why has it been so long?
Leading a Discussion
This passage sits at the hinge of Jesus' teaching about the future. He gives a picture of hope, the kingdom is near, but also a call to alertness. Luke's addition of 'all the trees' reminds us that the message is for every nation, not just Israel. Use these questions to help your group move from what the text says to how it shapes their lives today.
Discussion questions
- Read Luke 21:29-33. What stands out to you about Jesus' use of the fig tree and all the trees as a parable?
- Why do you think Luke adds 'and all the trees' when Matthew and Mark mention only the fig tree? What does that change?
- In verse 31, Jesus says 'know that the kingdom of God is near.' How do you understand that nearness, has it come, is it still coming, or both?
- Verse 32 has been interpreted in various ways. What do you think 'this generation' means? How does the surrounding context help you decide?
- Verse 33 makes a huge claim: Christ's words are more permanent than the universe. How does that shape the way you read the rest of this chapter?
- What 'signs' do you see today that might point to God's kingdom drawing near? How can we avoid both panic and indifference?
- How does this parable encourage you to live differently this week? What would it mean to 'know' the kingdom is near in your daily choices?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Matthew 24:32 | “Now from the fig tree learn this parable: When its branch has now become tender and produces its leaves, you know that the summer is near. |
| Matthew 24:35 | Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. |
| Mark 13:28 | “Now from the fig tree, learn this parable. When the branch has now become tender and produces its leaves, you know that the summer is near; |
| Mark 13:30 | Most certainly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things happen. |
| Luke 12:57 | “Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right? |
| Matthew 3:2 | “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!” |
| Matthew 16:1 | The Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing him, asked him to show them a sign from heaven. |
| Matthew 16:4 | An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and there will be no sign given to it, except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” He left them and departed. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
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What the Commentators Say
7 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentary notes that Luke alone adds "all the trees," making the fig tree image especially meaningful for Jewish readers. It then gives "this generation" a double meaning: the first refers to the destruction of Jerusalem forty years later, while the Greek word also means "race," ensuring the Jewish people endure until the end. The writer also stresses that Christ's "sayings" or "utterances" will never pass away, unlike heaven and earth.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill sees the parable as teaching that the prophesied signs will be as obvious as budding leaves signaling summer. For him, “the kingdom of God is nigh” refers specifically to Jerusalem’s coming destruction, a visible display of Christ’s judgment.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB rejects the interpretation that "this generation" refers to the Jewish nation, calling that reading unnatural here. Instead he takes the phrase in its ordinary sense, meaning the people actually living at that time, as the parallel in Luke 9:27 confirms.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange argues that Jesus speaks of both Jerusalem's destruction and the world's end as intertwined events, not separate ones. The fall of the temple serves as a prophetic type of the final judgment, with its signs repeating in escalating measure until the last day.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry draws a parallel between the natural and spiritual worlds: just as budding trees reliably signal summer, certain events reliably signal the kingdom of God's approach. For him, a nation's ripe iniquity foretells its ruin, and the fall of persecuting powers directly indicates that God's kingdom is about to gain ground.
Vincent's Word Studies Evangelical 1887
Vincent draws attention to the Greek behind the passage, noting that the word for "see" implies careful observation aimed at tracking progress. He argues that "know" is better rendered "perceive," and that the verb rendered "come to pass" is actually a present participle meaning "coming to pass," indicating a process of fulfilment already underway.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley notes that Jesus spoke this parable in spring when trees were visibly budding on the Mount of Olives, making the illustration immediately obvious. He interprets the coming kingdom as the imminent destruction of Jerusalem and the Jewish religious system, clearing the way for Christ's gospel kingdom.