Luke - 21:29



29 He told them a parable. "See the fig tree, and all the trees.

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of Luke 21:29.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
And he spoke to them in a similitude. See the fig tree, and all the trees:
And he spoke a parable to them: Behold the fig-tree and all the trees;
And he spoke to them a parable; Behold the fig-tree, and all the trees;
And he spake a simile to them: 'See the fig-tree, and all the trees,
And he made a story for them: See the fig-tree, and all the trees;
And he told them a comparison: "Take notice of the fig tree and of all the trees.
Then he taught them a lesson, saying – "Look at the fig tree and all the other trees.

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

He spake to them a parable - Illustrated all these predicted facts by the simile of a fig tree. See this explained on Matthew 24:32 (note).

(6) And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;
(6) We must be sober and watchful both day and night for the Lord's coming, so that we are not taken unexpectedly.

And he spake to them a parable,.... That is, to his disciples:
behold the fig tree, and all the trees; that, or any other tree; See Gill on Matthew 24:32.

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.

Behold the fig tree and all the trees - Christ spake this in the spring, just before the passover; when all the trees were budding on the mount of Olives, where they then were.

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